The 2017 Jeep Patriot ranks near the bottom of the compact SUV class. It trails the competition with low-quality materials, clumsy handling, lethargic engine performance, poor crash test scores, and below-average predicted reliability.
The 2017 Jeep Patriot's #18 ranking is based on its score within the 2017 Affordable Compact SUVs category. Currently the Jeep Patriot has a score of 6.3 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 87 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
The 2017 Patriot is a bad pick if you’re shopping for a used compact SUV. The Patriot has weak four-cylinder engines, unimpressive fuel economy, cheap cabin materials, and few tech or safety features. The Jeep also rates poorly for crash safety and predicted reliability. Before settling on the Patriot, consider higher-rated alternatives in this segment, like the 2017 Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, or Mazda CX-5.
We’ve researched 91 Jeep Patriot reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability scores and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
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You can expect to pay between $13,000 and $19,000 for a used 2017 Patriot. These figures are based on over 2,000 listings for the 2017 Jeep Patriot on our site. The average price is $15,800. Prices will vary depending on the vehicle's condition, mileage, features, and location.
The Patriot’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be $23,500 – or $4,700 per year. That’s higher than average for the compact SUV class.
The Patriot was discontinued after the 2017 model year, so you won’t be able to find a new 2018 Jeep Patriot model for sale. However, if you are interested in a new compact SUV, you may want to consider the Patriot’s successor: the redesigned Compass. Introduced in 2017, the new Compass outshines the Patriot with a roomier and more luxurious cabin, a much longer list of advanced safety features, superior off-road ability, and a better infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All that refinement comes at a cost though. The 2018 Jeep Compass starts at $20,995, which is considerably more than the average used Patriot.
Read about the new Jeep Compass »
You aren’t likely to find a new SUV within the same price range as a used Patriot. The 2018 Jeep Renegade comes the closest; it starts at just $18,445. The subcompact Renegade has less interior space than the Patriot, but it’s more stylish inside and out, better equipped from the get-go (a touch screen and rearview camera come standard), and more enjoyable to drive. If that's not in your price range, your only other option is a subcompact car like the 2018 Chevrolet Spark or Kia Rio hatchbacks (starting at $13,050 and $14,200, respectively).
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The 2017 Patriot marks the final model year of the SUV's first – and only – generation, which debuted in 2007. Satellite radio and Bluetooth became standard features in 2016, and a rearview camera also became available that year. Otherwise, the last four years of this generation are very similar to one another, so you can save money by shopping for a comparable 2014, 2015, or 2016 Patriot. You can save even more money by considering a 2013-or-earlier model, though you’ll find fewer transmission options and even lower-quality materials the further back you go.
Compare the 2015, 2016, and 2017 Patriot »
The 2017 Patriot has a below-average predicted reliability rating of 2.5 out of five from J.D. Power.
Read more about Patriot reliability »
At the time of this writing, there are no recalls for the 2017 Patriot.
See more information on Jeep Patriot safety recalls »
The 2017 Jeep Patriot comes in five trims: Sport, 75th Anniversary, Sport SE, Latitude, and High Altitude. You’ll want to avoid the base Patriot Sport model because it’s pretty bare-bones. Its standard features include manual crank windows, a four-speaker stereo, satellite radio, a CD player, Bluetooth, cruise control, and cloth seats.
Skipping to the Jeep Patriot Latitude trim ensures you’ll have power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, and alloy wheels. These features were offered for the Sport, 75th Anniversary, and SE trims – but mainly as options. Go with the High Altitude trim if you want leather seats. Available features in a variety of trims include a rearview camera, a 6.5-inch touch screen, a navigation system, remote start, and a sunroof.
See 2017 Jeep Patriot trims and specs »
Jeep offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles five years old or less and with fewer than 75,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. For its certified pre-owned vehicles, Jeep extends the original new-car powertrain warranty to seven years from the original sale date or 100,000 miles. CPO vehicles also get a three-month/3,000-mile Maximum Coverage Care warranty. Additional benefits are available, including a 90-day SiriusXM satellite radio trial subscription, a CarFax vehicle history report, 24-hour towing and roadside assistance, and a car rental allowance. There are mileage and model restrictions, so read the Jeep warranty page carefully.
According to our analysis, Jeep has one of the worst CPO programs in the industry. Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen all have better programs.
The Jeep Patriot has one of the worst safety ratings in its class. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Patriot just three out of five stars for front and rollover crash safety, though it did earn five stars for side impact safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the SUV a Poor rating – the lowest possible – for small overlap front crash safety. It earned the highest rating of Good in its remaining four tests.
Jeep offers the Patriot with an available rearview camera. Most vehicles in this class have more-advanced features, such as forward collision warning or blind spot monitoring.
The 2017 Jeep Compass isn’t perfect. Like the Patriot, it has rather poky engine performance and a below-average predicted reliability rating. Still, it’s a better pick. The Compass’ seats are more comfortable, especially over long drives, and its cabin materials look and feel higher quality. It also offers more cargo space, better tech features, and more available safety features.
It’s a similar story with the 2017 Jeep Renegade. The Renegade also has questionable reliability, but beyond that, it’s a better SUV than the Patriot. The Renegade boasts nicer cabin materials, a smoother ride, superior handling on and off road, similar cargo space, better crash safety ratings, and more advanced safety features, like forward collision warning.
Compare the Patriot, Compass, and Renegade »
The 2017 Patriot has two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 172 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), a six-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive are available.
Both engines feel underpowered and struggle to heave the Patriot up to speed – especially when paired with the CVT, which causes the engine to drone loudly for extended periods. Similarly unimpressive is the Patriot’s imprecise steering and abundant body lean around corners. It’s not all bad news, though. The Patriot’s suspension yields a fairly comfortable ride quality. The SUV shows some promise off-road as well when equipped with the Freedom Drive II package. This package adds a low-range crawl ratio, all-terrain tires, skid plates, hill-descent control with brake assist, and an extra inch of ground clearance (for 9.1 inches total). Even so, the Patriot is still outclassed on road and off by its smaller Jeep Renegade sibling.
The Patriot’s 2.0-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, which is average by class standards. The 2.4-liter engine’s fuel economy ranges from a decent 23/28 mpg to a poor 20/23 mpg when equipped with the Freedom Drive II package.
The Patriot is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped with its optional towing package.
Read more about Patriot performance »
The Jeep Patriot seats five. There’s adequate head- and legroom for adults to sit in the front or rear seats. The seats themselves, however, aren’t very comfortable or supportive. Further, there are limited steering wheel adjustments, which can make it tough for taller drivers to find a comfy position. Cloth upholstery is standard; heated and leather seats are available. Overall, the Patriot’s cabin is cleanly styled, but it feels cheap due to its many hard, shiny plastics.
The Patriot has two full sets of LATCH connectors for securing child seats. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this system an Acceptable rating for ease of use, but noted that some of the lower anchors are hard to access.
The Patriot also disappoints in terms of technology. Standard features are minimal; they include Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a CD player. Even features like power windows, power door locks, and air conditioning are optional in most trims. The Jeep’s available 6.5-inch touch screen is outdated and distracting as well. Many competitors have easier-to-use systems with popular items like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. On the plus side, the Patriot’s climate and audio controls are operated with simple buttons and knobs. A pair of flip-down speakers (part of a nine-speaker stereo) are available for the cargo area as well. They come in handy for tailgating.
Read more about Patriot interior »
The Patriot has 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 53.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Most SUVs in this class offer considerably more cargo room.
The Jeep Patriot is 14.5 feet long. Its curb weight ranges between 3,133 and 3,373 pounds, depending on the powertrain.
The Jeep Patriot was built in Belvidere, Illinois.
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#1 in 2017 Affordable Compact SUVs
#1 in 2017 Affordable Compact SUVs
#1 in 2017 Affordable Compact SUVs
#1 in 2017 Affordable Compact SUVs
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