2014 Jeep Patriot

NEW FOR 2014:

- Front seat-mounted side airbags added as standard.

The Jeep Patriot gets a new six-speed automatic transmission and additional airbags for 2014. It continues to be the most affordable SUV on the market in Canada.

Slotting in between the Compass and Liberty, and based on the platform used by the Jeep Compass, 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 six-speed automatic transmission. The Sport and North can be optioned to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with five-speed manual, CVT, or six-speed automatic transmission.

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. With 4WD, the Patriot earns 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, removable 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, fog lights, 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.