The 2014 Jeep Patriot is a throwback car and not much more, according to reviews.
Described as "the car of yesteryear" with "no frills," the Jeep Patriot is a retro SUV with a noisy engine and not the smoothest transmission, a review published on to SFGate said.
The car's "overall demeanor is one of throwback to the way cars used to be, assuming that is an attribute, which, for the most part, it is not," auto reviewer Michael Taylor said.
"On the highway, the Patriot's boxy, upright shape means that it moves through the air like a linebacker," he wrote. "No neat coefficient of drag in this big boy--the faster you go, the louder the gale gets, as it passes up the windshield and over the roof."
In comparison to the latest cars outfitted with high-tech options, the Patriot has precious few modern touches. Its doors automatically lock "with a big, loud clunk," while its updated navigation system is buried in a black dashboard.
Taylor notes that the Patriot, which has a factory price of $28,630, is at least simple, lacking the "advances" that have made other cars complicated and difficult to use. But he goes on to wonder why the brand continues to offer the Patriot at all.
"It's not clear to me why Chrysler (Jeep's parent) keeps the Patriot around. It's based on the mundane Dodge Caliber chassis, it gets average mileage (21/27 mpg, city/highway) and it doesn't stand out. In fact, it stands back."
Edmunds.com also reviewed the vehicle, noting its "above-average off-road capability" but limited cargo space and slow acceleration.
The Patriot is one of the least expensive crossover SUVs on the market, according to Edmunds. But the car at its basic Sport trim level loses a lot of standard features, including air-conditioning, power locks and power windows, making its low price somewhat deceptive.
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