Test Drive: 2011 Jeep Patriot.

I’m expecting my first child, so a surefire way to pique my interest is to have me test any car that’s remotely family-friendly. So it wasn’t as a spec-happy car reviewer that I evaluated the

Jeep Patriot press loaner I had last week. It was as a mom-to-be who’s actually in the market for a family car.

The Patriot makes a strong case for itself as a baby-mobile. It’s an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for 2011. The four-wheel drive model with an automatic transmission that I tested gets an EPA-estimated 21/26 mpg – not bad for something that can handle light off-roading. The Patriot’s classic Jeep-ish styling also appealed to me. It stands out in a sea of soft and round crossovers. Then there’s the price: starting at $15,995, the Patriot won’t bust family budgets. My test car stickered at $25,147, but had a lot of features, including four-wheel drive, Bluetooth, iPod interface, heated front seats and satellite radio.
I also liked the way the Jeep Patriot drives. Unlike a lot of SUVs that can head off-road, it was comfortable and smooth around town, but had just enough roughness to remind you that yeah, you’re in a Jeep. Even though it doesn’t handle as well as other crossovers do, that touch of truck made it fun to drive. It felt rugged, but not uncomfortable. Its small size and trail-ready turning radius made it perfect for tight parking lots.
Style inside and out is what Patriot drivers are attracted to and CARiD.com has them covered. We feature a full line of Jeep Patriot Grain guaranteed to brighten up your interior in a big way. Choose from our dazzling array of Real Woods, Real Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Chrome, and your exact OEM Factory-Match Wood. Installing your new Jeep Patriot Grain is as simple as it gets. Just follow the included schematic for a quick “stick on” installation that provides a concise factory-fit. You never have to worry about the quality. At CARiD.com, we know the deal. That’s why we look to expert designers such as B&I, Sherwood®, and WOW Trim to do the job right. You even get a Lifetime Warranty to prove it! If a stylish, more personal cockpit is what has you scanning the globe, call off the search: your Jeep Wood Dash is waiting right here…