JEEP PATRIOT 2.4 Limited 5dr (2007)

Jeep Patriot - Falling apart a bit, and not that great off road

I know, 'patriot' sounds a bit corny and naff, kind of American, but maybe that's what you get for buying a Jeep! Besides my kids often tell me I'm corny and naff, so maybe the glove fits.

I know the Jeep Patriot looks a bit boxy and beefy outside but it's a big softy inside, really plush and comfy, which is handy for a creaking old man like me! I find the front seats perfectly supportive. The back seats have a fair amount of head and leg room, and handy little drinks holders in the middle of the footwell. I have had complaints from the kids before about having to sit in the middle and not getting much leg room because those drinks holders pretty much eliminate leg room in the centre. It's not that bad though, I think they just like to moan.

Heated seats are a grand thing, love them, will never do without them again. One thing about the controls though is that the heated seat button and some others are located in a straight line with the hazard warning light among them. This can be a bit of a pain because you can sometimes hit the hazard light without wanting to, I'd rather it was on its own somewhere out of the way. That line of buttons is also a little bit hidden behind the gear stick when it's pushed forward, which is a bit of a daft design, not least because it makes you have to peer round to check you're not hitting the hazard light! You get used to it though.

It's good that it's got two glove boxes, one underneath for valuables and thing you want to keep cool, and one above for maps and things you need ready access to. I do appreciate that. Meanwhile the boot on the Jeep Patriot is perfectly sufficient for carrying bulky stuff like golf clubs and climbing gear, although it's a bit high up so not easy to get the dogs in - although they have lots of space once they're in there. Once the seats are down it's very big indeed, enough for my wife and I to take our mountain bikes and luggage for a week in Wales. I did once see a Honda I think which had a boot that opened in two sections, top and bottom. I think I'd prefer that to just opening with a top hinge.

It's good to drive, feels pretty sturdy and has plenty of power. It's easy enough to fit into spaces as well, and has quite a neat turning circle.

Anyway... on to the repairs it's needed. I'm getting quite disappointed now really. One of the wishbones has needed replacing after what seemed like (from my limited knowledge of cars) potentially quite a dangerous failure. There have been other mechanical troubles with things like the throttle mechanism, and the exhaust appears to have rotted away more quickly than you'd expect. There was also some sort of internal technical brake controlling device that needed replacing, although I think I know how I did that, catching it on a rock on a track once, oops. But these failures seem quite major really, hardly adds confidence, and basically prevents me from recommending what is otherwise a fine car.