2011 Jeep Patriot

NEW FOR 2011:

- Refreshed interior and exterior styling

- Retuned steering and suspension systems, increased ride height

- Standard fog lamps and cruise control

- Limited adds standard automatic climate control

- Available 17-inch wheels and UConnect with Bluetooth

For 2011, the Jeep Patriot receives a facelift. Exterior changes include new front and rear fascias, a body-colour grille, and a 25 millimeter higher 4x4 ride height, along with retuned steering and suspension systems. Inside, there are soft-touch front door trim panels, new centre armrest, three-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio controls, and new premium cloth bucket seats. All models can be optioned with a stand-alone UConnect voice command system with Bluetooth connectivity.

Slotting in between the Compass and Liberty, and based on the platform used by the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber, the Patriot is available as the Sport, Canada-exclusive North Edition, or as the Limited. All models come standard with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual or optional CVT transmission. The Sport and North can be optioned to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with five-speed manual or CVT.

In all models, the front-wheel drive 2.4-litre can be optioned to one of two “Freedom Drive” active full-time four-wheel drive systems with 4WD Lock feature; the Freedom Drive II system also includes an extra-low crawl ratio feature. Unlike the Compass, the optional 4WD earns the Patriot the company’s “Trail Rated” off-road designation. The 2.0-litre is available only in front-wheel drive.

Features on the Sport include 16-inch steel wheels, manual mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, intermittent rear washer/wiper, fog lamps, front and rear assist handles, floor console with illuminated cupholders, floor mats, rechargeable flashlight, map lights, cloth seats, 60/40 split-folding second-row seat, CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input, tilt steering column, removable cargo area load floor, block heater, and tire pressure warning lamp. Air conditioning can be added as an option.

The North Edition adds air conditioning, power heated mirrors, tinted glass, power locks, 115-volt power outlet, height-adjustable driver’s seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, 60/40 split-folding and reclining second-row seat, and power windows with driver’s auto-down.

The Limited adds 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, bright body side mouldings, vehicle information centre, heated leather seats, six-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Sirius satellite radio, cruise control, and four-wheel disc brakes.