Patriot s game

Sep 1 2008 Peter Hayward

JEEP has won three categories in the UK¿s biggest on and off-road test carried out by 4x4 Magazine.

It put 67 vehicles through their paces in the annual `4x4 of the Year¿ competition and Jeep came out top in three classes ¿ budget, mid-size and extreme ¿ with the Patriot, Cherokee and Wrangler.

The hard-core Wrangler with its latest 2.8 diesel engine beat Land Rover¿s Defender in the extreme category and the Cherokee was said to be a vast improvement over the previous model.

But it was the Patriot that was deemed a deserving winner in the budget class with excellent on-road dynamics and good handling and ride, allied to a practical and roomy interior.

The judges called it a huge step up for Jeep, opening up the famous marque to a much wider audience mainly thanks to the VW-sourced two-litre turbo diesel that stretches fuel economy to over 42mpg and gives very low emissions.

Interior

Inside the Patriot offers reasonable comfort to go with the excellent space and big boot. It will carry five but a cup holder on the transmission tunnel makes legroom tight for the centre passenger.

Equipment includes air conditioning, alarm, alloy wheels, folding rear seats and front and side airbags.

FAST FACTS

Jeep Patriot 2.0 CRD Sport

Price : £17,495

Mechanical : 138bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving all four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 117mph

0-62mph : 11 secs

Combined mpg : 42.2

Insurance group : 11

CO2 emissions : 180g/km

BiK rating : 26%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 7yrs paint, 6yrs anti-rust

Marks : Looks like 10/10

Main rival : Nissan X-Trail