Mark Hinchliffe road tests and reviews the Jeep Patriot and Wrangler at their Australian launch
Jeep claims to have gone soft with its Patriot, but harder with its Wrangler. Both vehicles have had mid-life makeovers that add features, change trim, but keep the mechanicals largely untouched and the price the same.
Chrysler Australia sales general manager Brad Fitzsimmons says the value of the Australian dollar has been helpful in keeping prices stable. We hedge on currency anyhow, but thankfully it came back in the last couple of months, he says. We would have been in trouble if it had stayed in the 60s. Now it’s in the 90s but it won’t be forever. We’re ok if it stays in the 80s.
Outside it still looks like a traditional Jeep with its seven-slot grille, round headlights, trapezoidal wheel arches and high hip line. It now gets slightly darker alloy wheels and two new body colours. Patriot adds items to its list of standard features and has substantial cosmetic changes, mainly inside. The cabin, with its one-piece dashboard, is now all matte charcoal instead of a range of shiny greys and blacks and the seats are monotone charcoal instead of two-tone.
The silver and aluminium trim is replaced with chrome accents around the air vents and door handles. Fitzsimmons says the plastics in the Patriot had also been softened, especially in the sliding armrests. There is now a choice of three audio systems with MP3 capability, optional Bluetooth mobile connectivity and a satellite navigation system in the top-of-the-range model.
Extra sound insulation and a quieter exhaust, together with carpet on the back of the rear seats and on the floor of the cargo area have dramatically improved cabin acoustics. There is also an extra suite of airbags available, together with a host of primary safety controls as standard.
The engine and mechanicals remain the same, although Jeep has phased out the two-litre diesel because it was only available in manual. Managing director Gerry Jenkins says the new ownership arrangement with Fiat could yield a diesel alternative. But we would only want one with automatic, he says.
The 2.4-litre Sport remains at $29,990 for the five-speed manual Sport, with a $3000 premium for the continuously variable transmission with six-speed shift mode. Fitzsimmons says CVT was ideal for smaller vehicles because it was lighter, smoother and kept the engine in the optimum rev range. The auto gets tinted windows, cruise control and a leather steering wheel with audio controls standard. It is available as a comfort and convenience option for $1500 in the manual.
The Limited comes in auto only and costs an extra $3000. Standard features include leather trim seats, heated front seats and manual driver lumbar adjustment.
Patriot options include premium paint ($450), power sunroof ($2000), satellite navigation, Bluetooth and a premium nine-speaker audio system with 30Gb hard drive ($3500) and front side seat airbags ($600).
The Wrangler gets some more storage bins inside, 50Nm more torque in the auto diesel (460Nm), 17-inch alloys, tyre pressure warning system, a bigger fuel tank in the Unlimited, two new exterior colours, optional iPod connectivity and the dual top standard on Rubicon.
The auto Sports models now get a 3.73:1 axle ratio to replace the 4.10:1 ratio. It has also been toughened up with a $1500 off-road pack now available on the Sport petrol and diesel models. It includes the new axle ratio, electronically disconnected front sway bar and electronically controlled rear axle differential lock.
There is also a Renegade pack option available with Dual Top, tinted glass, tubular side steps, six-disc changer and nine-speakers for $2500 in the two-door models and $3000 in the four-door models.
Driving
At the national launch through wet rural Victoria this week, the Patriot and Wrangler confirmed their substantial credentials with a variety of surfaces from highway to sludgy back roads. Here the electronically controlled Jeep Freedom Drive four-wheel-drive system is infallible in the slippery clay conditions.
The Patriot is much quieter in all conditions, thanks to the extra sound proofing and carpeted rear. The carpets also stop cargo sliding around, but because it is glued on to the hard plastic removable floor covering the full-size spare, you should be careful it doesnt come unstuck. Interior plastics in all Chryslers are notoriously hard, but the new trim is only marginally softer. The armrests still hurt after a while.
The Wrangler seems to thrive on rough roads; the rougher the better, handling ubiquitous dirt road corrugations just about the best in the business. The drive system for the Patriot remains in front-wheel drive unless slip is detected and then the torque is equally split between front and rear. Rear diff assistance is also provided at high speeds for extra stability.
Primary safety systems include electronic stability control, brake assist, anti-slip brakes, traction control and electronic roll mitigation. If a rollover cannot be prevented, the curtain airbags are deployed earlier and for longer. There is also an enhanced accident response system that turns on interior lights, unlocks doors and turns off the fuel.
Sadly, Jeep still doesn’t offer reach-adjustable steering, but the new Patriot seats have bigger bolsters for a more comfortable ride. The petrol engines are feeble and need to be mated to the manual for best results, while the auto diesel Wrangler is now more torquey. Jenkins says the interior changes to the Patriot and Wrangler would be followed by a similar update in the Caliber next year and a new Grand Cherokee WK late next year.
Jeep Patriot
ENGINES: 2.4L DOHC 16V I-4 dual VVT petrol; 2.0L CRD DOHC 16V I-4 turbo diesel
POWER: 125kW @ 6000rpm (2.4); 103kW @ 4000rpm (CRD)
TORQUE: 220Nm @ 4500rpm (2.4); 310Nm @ 1750-2500rpm (CRD)
TRANSMISSIONS: 5-speed manual and CVT (2.4), 6-speed manual (CRD), Freedom Drive 4WD
ECONOMY: 8.4 (2.4 5-speed), 9.1 (2.4 CVT), 6.6 (CRD)
CO2 EMISSIONS (g/km): 200 (2.4 5-speed), 216 (2.4 CVT) 175 (CRD)
Jeep Wrangler
ENGINE: 3.8L OHV 12-valve V6
POWER: 146kW @ 5000rpm
TORQUE: 315Nm @ 4000rpm
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 4-speed auto, Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4WD
ECONOMY (l/100km): 11.5 (man Command-Trac), 12.5 (man Rock-Trac), 11.6 (auto)
CO2 EMISSIONS (g/km): 273 (man Command-Trac), 296 (man Rock-Trac), 275 (auto)
Jeep Patriot prices*
Sport 2.4L 5-speed manual $29,990
Sport 2.4L CVT $32,990
Limited 2.4L CVT $35,990
Jeep Wrangler prices*
Sport 3.8L V6 6-speed manual $31,590
Sport 3.8L V6 4-speed auto $33,590
Sport 2.8L CRD 6-speed manual $35,590
Sport 2.8L CRD 5-speed auto $37,590
Rubicon 3.8L V6 6-speed manual $40,590
Rubicon 3.8L V6 4-speed auto $42,590
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited prices*
Sport 3.8L V6 6-speed manual $35,990
Sport 3.8L V6 4-speed auto $37,990
Sport 2.8L CRD 6-speed manual $39,990
Sport 2.8L CRD 5-speed auto $41,990
Rubicon 3.8L V6 6-speed manual $44,990
Rubicon 3.8L V6 4-speed auto $46,990
(* Plus on-road costs)
