Jeep Patriot Press Release
All-new 2007 Jeep® Patriot Delivers Traditional Jeep Styling, Best-in-class Capability
- All-new Jeep® technology gives Patriot more capability than any other vehicle in its class, providing confidence in all driving conditions
- Patriot introduces rugged, classic Jeep styling at an affordable, entry-level price
- Jeep Patriot’s interior features utility, flexibility and many cool innovations
- Value abounds with excellent fuel economy and a long list of standard safety features
Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 9, 2006 - The Jeep® brand continues its expansion into untraveled territory with the 2007 Jeep Patriot. This all-new compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) delivers fun, freedom, utility and best-in-class Jeep 4×4 capability, as well as a new entry-level price point for the Jeep brand.
Based on the Jeep Patriot concept first introduced at the 2005 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, the 2007 Jeep Patriot is a modern interpretation of traditional Jeep styling. Jeep Patriot combines the packaging and interior flexibility of an SUV with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup. Safety features, such as standard side-curtain air bags and standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), add to Jeep Patriot’s tremendous value.
All-new Jeep technology gives Patriot more capability than any other vehicle in its class. Jeep Patriot will be available in the United States and Canada in three drive configurations: front-wheel drive, Freedom Drive I™ (a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with Lock mode) and Freedom Drive II™ Off-Road Package (a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with low range that provides true Jeep 4×4 Trail Rated capability).
“The Trail Rated Jeep® Patriot will be the most capable 4×4 in the compact SUV segment,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President — Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Jeep Patriot’s capability, combined with its classic Jeep design, interior flexibility and terrific fuel efficiency, will attract new buyers to the Jeep brand.”
The 2007 Jeep Patriot and Jeep Patriot Limited models will be available in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2006 and in global volume markets in both left- and right-hand drive starting in the first half of 2007.
Most Capable Vehicle in its Class
Jeep Patriot is available in three drivetrain configurations. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive system, Jeep Patriot also is available with Freedom Drive I and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package.
Freedom Drive I is an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with Lock mode designed to give drivers year-round assurance, as well as the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This active four-wheel-drive system is recommended for daily use, including driving in snow and rain. Freedom Drive I features a lockable center coupling, giving drivers the ability to put the Jeep Patriot in four-wheel-drive Lock mode to handle deeper snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces.
The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is an available four-wheel-drive system that makes the Jeep Patriot a Trail Rated 4×4, creating the most capable vehicle in the crowded compact SUV class. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle with a low range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated, 17-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, air-filtration system, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and seat height adjuster. The available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is recommended for true off-road situations that include steep grades, wheel lift and rock or log climbing.
“The Jeep Patriot’s innovative Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package uses all-new Jeep 4×4 technology to achieve Trail Rated capability,” said Larry Lyons, Vice President — Front-Wheel-Drive Product Team. “This four-wheel-drive technology, developed by Jeep engineers, provides many of the benefits of a traditional transfer case without the additional weight.”
This all-new Jeep technology includes the CVT2L’s best-in-class 19:1 low ratio, which is ideal for crawling over obstacles. Off-road Brake Traction Control maintains forward mobility during heavy articulation or on split-friction surfaces where one wheel loses traction. Hill-Descent Control modulates brake hydraulic pressure without driver intervention for downhill assistance at a safe and controlled rate of speed. Three-mode ESP and off-road anti-lock brakes (ABS) also add to the Patriot’s off-road capability.
The Trail Rated Jeep Patriot sits 1 inch higher than non-Trail Rated versions and meets Jeep off-road capability requirements for traction, water fording, articulation, maneuverability and ground clearance, including 9 inches of ground clearance, a 29-degree approach angle, a 33-degree departure angle and a 23-degree breakover angle. This version of the Patriot also has additional body sealing and high-mounted drivetrain vents to support 19-inch water fording capability. In fact, the Jeep Patriot’s body and chassis were developed and tested over numerous rugged off-road terrains to meet the requirements of the enthusiast Jeep customer.
“From its approach and departure angles to every sealant and chassis component in between, Jeep Patriot is engineered to be the most capable vehicle in its class,” added Matt Liddane, Chief Engineer — Jeep Patriot. “Whether climbing rocks, stair steps, logs or steep grades, Jeep Patriot drivers will have the confidence of knowing they’re in a Jeep 4×4.”
All Jeep Patriot models available in the United States and Canada include standard Brake Traction Control, driver-controlled three-mode ESP, Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation and anti-lock brakes with rough-road detection. Patriot’s standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes provide a competitive 60–0 mph stopping distance of 134 feet on dry pavement.
A Modern Interpretation of Classic Jeep Styling
Strong and capable, Patriot is unmistakably Jeep, designed to appeal to compact SUV buyers who want traditional Jeep styling with best-in-class off-road capability. Jeep Patriot is rugged, exuding the brand’s key attributes of mastery, authenticity, freedom and adventure, while also offering excellent fuel economy, interior flexibility and utility at a great value.
“Simple yet distinctive geometric forms and planar surfaces define Jeep Patriot’s timeless proportions” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President — Design. “Combined, these features give Jeep Patriot its robust, strong, capable off-road image.”
Jeep Patriot is built for maximum cargo volume, rugged driving conditions and excellent utility. Patriot’s face is classic Jeep, featuring the brand’s signature seven-slot grille, a robust bumper and round headlamps.
A stiffer windshield and upright backlight combine to create Patriot’s easily identifiable side view. Classic Jeep design cues include available 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-terrain tires housed inside signature Jeep trapezoidal wheel openings. Jeep Patriot’s high beltline completes the vehicle’s protective side profile.
The rear of the vehicle features an upright backlight and a bold bumper that further illustrate the Jeep Patriot’s interior spaciousness and add to its rugged appearance and capability. Four doors and a rear liftgate provide easy access to Jeep Patriot’s spacious and functional interior.
Jeep Utility From the Inside and Out
Jeep Patriot’s flexible interior gives buyers the capability to do more in terms of seating friends and storing gear. A command-of-the-road seating position gives drivers an added feeling of control. Jeep Patriot has 39.6 inches of rear seat leg room, 54.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat and 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the front passenger seat back and rear seats folded flat, giving plenty of room for an 8-foot ladder, skis or two-by-fours from the lumber yard.
In addition to interior spaciousness and flexibility, Jeep Patriot has many clever and unique available interior features that add functionality not typically found in a compact SUV, including:
- Standard side-curtain air bags
- Available nine-speaker Boston Acoustics Premium Sound Group that includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate; when the liftgate is open, the speakers swing down to face rearward for tailgating and other activities
- Auxiliary audio input jack for MP3 connectivity on standard radio
- Available dual purpose, self-recharging removable cargo lamp, which is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight
- A sliding center armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid includes a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player
- Available 115-volt outlet in the center console that powers small electronics
- Available fold-flat front passenger seat that creates a table-like surface for versatility
- Standard 60/40 rear seats that fold flat and have an available recline feature
- Ultra Floor™ — a washable and removable vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area with a 250-lb. load capacity
- YES Essentials™ Fabric —a n easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odors and discoloration
- Available Navigation System
World-class Engineering
The 2007 Jeep Patriot’s powertrain is designed to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement, all at an affordable, entry-level price.
Patriot features a standard 2.4-liter World Engine that produces 172-horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. This 2.4-liter World Engine has dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts, which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds and produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT. Dual VVT is a technology typically not available on vehicles sold in the United States in the Jeep Patriot’s price class.
Jeep Patriot also features a standard five-speed manual transaxle and an available CVT. The Patriot’s CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response and precise ratio control. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6–8 percent compared with a traditional four-speed automatic. Patriot’s CVT2 also improves vehicle performance compared with a traditional automatic transaxle because of optimized gear ratios, especially in the 30–60 mph range during passing maneuvers.
A 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, paired with a six-speed manual transaxle, will be available for Jeep Patriot in key diesel markets outside North America.
Conquering New Territory
Jeep Patriot will compete in the compact SUV segment, which is expected to almost triple in the next 10 years, giving the Jeep brand the opportunity to grow with it. Annual compact SUV volume in the United States for the 2004 calendar year was 297,000 units or 1.7 percent of the market. The compact SUV segment is expected to nearly double to 568,000 units by 2010, and triple to 814,000 units by 2016.
With the all-new Jeep Patriot, Jeep in the United States is targeting single and married educated professionals in their early 20s to early 40s who earn a median income of $65,000. Fifty-five percent have a college education. These upwardly mobile Patriot buyers are confident, independent, rugged individuals who enjoy the outdoors. Safety and security and the confidence that come with Jeep 4×4 capability rank high on their priorities. They like the Jeep brand and want a vehicle that is unique, and with its one-of-a-kind traditional Jeep styling and best-in-class off-road capability, Patriot is designed and engineered to meet their needs.
Jeep Patriot Model Line-up
The newest Jeep will be available in both Patriot and Patriot Limited models. Both are available in the United States and Canada with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time, active 4×4 system and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time, active 4×4 system with low-range capability.
The Jeep Patriot includes a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle. Other standard equipment includes: standard side-curtain air bags, ESP, Brake Traction Control, electronic roll mitigation, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, Sentry Key theft-deterrent system, Vinyl Tech seats, rear 60/40 fold-flat seats, an Ultra Floor vinyl load floor, AM/FM single-disc CD radio with an auxiliary audio input jack, outdoor temperature display, 12-volt power outlet, manual windows, locks and foldaway mirrors, tilt steering wheel, dome and cargo lights, rear window defroster and a center console sliding armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid features a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player. On the exterior, the Jeep Patriot features a standard body-color grille and fascias, accent-color bodyside molding, black door handles, accent-color liftgate appliqué, black side roof rails, 16-inch styled steel wheels and all-season tires.
Optional features on Jeep Patriot include four-wheel-drive capability through either the Freedom Drive I or the Freedom Drive II 4×4 system, a second-generation CVT2, seat-mounted side air bags, flexible 60/40 rear seats that both fold flat and recline, fold-flat passenger seat, premium cloth low-back bucket seats with YES Essentials Fabric, air conditioning, power windows, including driver one-touch down feature, speed-sensitive power locks, power foldaway mirrors, Remote Keyless Entry, engine block heater, 115-volt outlet in the center console, a removable/rechargeable interior cargo lamp, map lights, passenger assist handles and illuminated entry, speed control, AM/FM radio with six-disc CD player and MP3 CD play capability, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, UConnect™ hands-free communication system, deep-tinted sunscreen glass, trailer tow prep package, Off-Road Group (which includes CVT2 with low range, 17-inch all-terrain OWL tires and aluminum wheels, a full-size spare tire, air-filtration system, skid plates with tow hooks, fog lamps and seat height adjuster), a Security Group (which includes a soft tonneau cover, security alarm and daytime running lamps) and a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics Premium Sound Group (which features two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate; when the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities).
The Jeep Patriot Limited features a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine coupled with a standard five-speed manual transaxle, an optional CVT2 or an optional CVT2L.
In addition to the standard equipment on the Jeep Patriot model, the Limited model features standard air conditioning, power windows with driver one-touch down feature, speed-sensitive power locks, Remote Keyless Entry, power fold-away mirrors, deep-tinted sunscreen glass, all-season floor mats, a standard fold-flat, reclining rear seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, driver height adjuster, passenger assist handles, 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, removable/rechargeable cargo lamp, speed control, premium cloth low-back bucket seats with YES Essentials fabric, fog lamps, rear-view automatic dimming mirrors, temperature and compass gauge, universal garage door opener and tire pressure monitoring system. On the exterior, the Jeep Patriot Limited model has body-color fascias with bright silver appliqués, body-color bodyside moldings, 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-season touring tires.
Beyond the options offered on the Jeep Patriot, additional options on the Limited model include 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, a power express open/close sunroof, heated cloth seats and a Leather Interior Group (which includes leather-trimmed bucket seats, manual lumbar adjuster, carpeted front and rear floor mats, heated front seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls).
Full model details and specifications for markets outside the United States will be confirmed ahead of the vehicle’s introduction in each respective market.
All 2007 Jeep Patriot models will be available in Jeep Green Metallic Clear Coat, Light Khaki Metallic Clear Coat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Marine Blue Pearl Coat, Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat and Stone White Clear Coat.
All models feature a two-tone interior color theme of dark and light shades of Pastel Slate Gray or Pastel Pebble Beige.
2007 Jeep Patriot Production
Production of the 2007 Jeep Patriot begins in the third quarter of 2006 at the newly refurbished Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant. The new 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine that powers the Patriot is built in the state-of-the-art Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance Assembly (GEMA) assembly plant in Dundee, Mich.
Jeep Brand
The heroic heritage of Jeep and its dominance of the sport-utility market stretch back 65 years. Jeep is known worldwide for its core values of mastery, authenticity, freedom and adventure. The Jeep Patriot, with excellent fuel efficiency, an affordable price and proven Jeep four-wheel-drive with low-range capability, provides an opportunity to expand the brand and attract new buyers around the world.
Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA)
The World Engine is a family of world-class four-cylinder engines produced by GEMA in Dundee, Mich., delivering an exceptional combination of quality, fuel efficiency, refinement and performance. GEMA is owned equally by DaimlerChrysler Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. By optimizing the three joint venture partners’ strengths, global economies of scale and the latest practices in flexible teams and machines, GEMA aims to set a new benchmark in engine plant productivity.
Dimensions and Capacities
All dimensions are in inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted.
All dimensions measured at curb weight with standard tires and wheels.
Dimensions
Wheelbase…......................................................................................103.7 (2635)
Track, Front…...................................................................................59.8 (1520)
Track, Rear…....................................................................................59.8 (1520)
Overall Length…...............................................................................173.6 (4410.5)
Overall Width…................................................................................69.1 (1755.8)
Overall Height…...............................................................................64.4 (1636.6)
Overall Height with Roof Rack Side Rails and P215/65/R17 Tire…..........................................................................65.6 (1665.8)
Overhang, Front….............................................................................43.8 (882.9)
Overhang, Rear…..............................................................................35.1 (892.6)
Approach Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire….......................................27.4 degrees
Breakover Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire…......................................20.6 degrees
Departure Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire….......................................31.4 degrees
Ground Clearance with P215/60/R17 Tire…....................................8.0 (203)
Approach Angle with Off-Road Package including P215/65/R17 Tire…..........................................................................29 degrees
Breakover Angle with Off-Road Package including P215/65/R17 Tire…..........................................................................23 degrees
Departure Angle with Off-Road Package including P215/65/R17 Tire…..........................................................................33 degrees
Ground Clearance with Off-Road Package including P215/65/R17 Tire…..........................................................................9.0 (230)
Aero (CdA).......................................................................................10.6 2WD
Accommodations
Seating Capacity, F/R…....................................................................2/3
Front
Headroom without Sunroof…..................................................41.0 (1040.3)
Leg Room….............................................................................40.6 (1032.1)
Shoulder Room…....................................................................54.6 (1387.0)
Hip Room….............................................................................52.3 (1328.8)
Seat Travel…...........................................................................Driver – 10.2 (260)
Passenger – 10.2 (260)
Recliner Angle Range, degrees…............................................Driver – up to 88
Passenger – (76 fold flat/ 88 non-fold flat)
SAE Front Seat Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m)........................52.6 (1.489)
Rear
Headroom without Sunroof…..................................................39.3 (998.2)
Leg Room….............................................................................39.6 (1005.8)
Knee Clearance…....................................................................1.8 (44.9)
Shoulder Room…....................................................................54.0 (1371.9)
Hip Room….............................................................................51.0 (1294.5)
SAE Rear Seat Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m).........................49.1 (1.391)
SAE Interior Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m)................................................101.7 (2.880)
Cargo Volume Indexes
Rear Seats Up, cu. ft. (cu. m)..................................................23.0 (0.652)
Rear Seats Folded, cu. ft. (cu. m)............................................54.2 (1.535)
EPA Interior Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m)......................................124.7 (3.532)
Liftover Height….....................................................................30.5 (773.8)
Cargo Volume with Front Passenger Seat Folded and Rear Seat Folded, cu. ft. (cu. m)................................................62.7 (1.777)
Minimum Cargo Width at Liftgate Opening…........................38.9 (959)
Minimum Cargo Height at Liftgate Opening….......................25.9 (656)
Maximum Cargo Width at Liftgate Opening….......................45.1 (1146)
Maximum Cargo Height at Liftgate Opening…......................27.4 (696)
Distance between Wheelhouse Interior Trim …......................38.0 (966)
37 Comments so far
Leave a reply
Quote:
standard front-wheel-drive system
JEEEP…..... NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo
Quote:
17-inch all-terrain tires
lol… this has to be a typo
Quote:
Larry Lyons, Vice President — Front-Wheel-Drive Product Team.
This product team should NOT EVEN EXIST in the jeep development community
At least now we know who to blame.
Notice there’s no mention of suspension or axles. Can you say IFS????? Sounds wimpy to me!
it’s fully independent suspension (ie: IFS and IRS), just like the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber.
I like it – might consider it as a DD replacement for my 87 XJ if it will do 80+ MPH to keep up with traffic on the Detroit autobahn (just kidding). I would like to know if DC is working on ethanol capable engines or if they are going to leave this to GM and others (a big mistake IMHO).
The 2007 Durango will have an E85-capable engine. And there will be a hybrid Durango in ‘08. No word on either powertrain in Jeeps though.
Found my next commuter vehicle. Should be better on gas then the XJ. When will they start putting the diesel in the vehicles for North America??
Well that about does it for the D&P show. From a diehard Cherokee driver (we have 6 in the family) the Patriot is way too bizzar and too over engineered for me. And by the way, I’m not a white collar proffesional in my 40’s making $65K, I’m a blue collar educated proffesional in my 40’s making $95K. Thanks but no thanks, it’s not a Jeep.
Wow, what has Jeep done. When I first saw it I thought it looked kinda cool, but the inside is smaller than a liberty, has ifs+irs, and is under powered and will not be able to pull anything. Thanks Jeep for sucking. I would let my wife drive it, if I had one.
waht about towing capacity?
will it tow my tent trailer?
The Dodge Caliber, which the Patriot (and Compass) is based on, only has a towing capacity of 1,000 lbs, so I don’t expect the Patriot to have any more than that.
Everyone should relax. Jeep has to make money and it’s about time they diversified the Jeep brand. As long as they keep one vehicle with solid axles (Wrangler) everything will be alright.
Steve.. great point.
I would rather see more people in a Compass or Patriot.. then the CRV..
The Compass and Patriot driver may turn to be the next trail riding Wrangler Driver.
I personaly think that jeep has really been wimping out on us die hard offroad fans. If everone really wants to try to make a difference in the jeep line up. EVERONE should go to every jeep forums (ilovejeeps.com and others) and find every bit of trash talk dissing all of these new products (liberty, compass, patriot, grand cherokee, commander). and send it to DC/Jeep so they can see what their true loyal coustomers think of their new TOYS. Sure these new products look good and some even have a hemi, but when it come down to it a STOCK xj or wrangler will walk circles around them. HERE I HAVE GOT THE ADDRESS FOR YOU TO SEND THEM TO AND I HAVE EVEN TYPED A LITTLE LETTER YOU TO READ OR SEND IF YOU LIKE Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004
I understand the idea behind producing a vehicle targeted to the market that Jeep has not previously involved itself in, but what about us? By us, I mean all of the people who buy and drive Jeeps because of the heritage they represent. Jeep has been an American icon since the 1940s when Jeep pioneered the four-by-four market. Now Jeep is whittling away at what it really stands for: the American outdoors. Rack and pinion steering, independent suspension, and a high revving V6 engine will not take me where my XJ or CJ will. No matter what the charts read or what the Chrysler representatives say, the truth is evident. The Liberty cannot “Go Anywhere” or “Do Anything,” but the Cherokee could.
On the other hand, I do know that the Liberty was never meant to replace the Cherokee to better improve off-road capabilities. It was designed for the opposite reason, which is to soften up the Jeep lineup and begin competing with the market that has a seemingly lucrative future. This mini-SUV market is composed of “cute-utes” such as RAV-4s and Ford Escapes.
Chrysler continues claiming that the KJ is better than the XJ in power and comfort. The power from the new V6 only comes when the engine pushes over 5,000 RPMs. Why not continue with the usable horsepower at 3,000 RPMs offered by the I6 previously available in Cherokees? As for comfort, we all know that the weaker and softer suspension offered in a Liberty will ride better on-road than that of a true solid axle setup. The Cherokee’s rugged ride is what identified it as a Jeep. The non-standard suspension setup went against the grain of today’s IFS trucks and gave the XJ the individuality of a true Jeep.
If poor customer satisfaction is what stopped Chrysler from continuing the XJ, then who is to blame? Maybe if Chrysler took the nearly twenty year-old design and modernized it, the satisfaction would increase. The all-plastic dash and various loose parts, not to mention the cheaply made window seals, do not really help when trying to please a customer. Modest upgrades on these parts would solve the customer’s problems.
I know that the Liberty is now here to stay, but why not expand Jeep’s horizons by adding another vehicle to the lineup instead of replacing one? The time-tested Cherokee has proven worthy in extreme situations on and off the road. As for the Liberty, all I can see is another “cute-ute” disguised in the body of a Jeep. The modern market is targeted at soccer moms and carpoolers. The off-road enthusiasts of the past have thinned, but have not disappeared. I have questioned many people I know, young and old, male and female, and more prefer the Cherokee to the Liberty. The people that go for the KJ are those that are clueless beyond the body of a vehicle.
I am sure that the people at Daimler Chrysler have their reasons for this apparent abomination to the Jeep heritage. It has happened before. The Grand Cherokee was once discontinued, but revived by popular demand (or so I have heard), and the Cherokee once offered a V6 that did not last long. Whatever the reason, to the true lovers of Jeep, the XJ blows away the KJ in many ways. I am aware of the fact that the KJ will sell and do well, but the XJ offered something irreplaceable. The only real off-road vehicle now offered today is the Jeep TJ. I fear that this vehicle will also soon fall victim to the modern suspension designs and fuel-efficient engines of the “mini-SUV” market. I speak for thousands of people around the nation when I ask for the return of the Cherokee. Simply check the Internet for the opinion of your previous customers. Web sites such as Jeepsunlimited.com and Jeepforum.com support forums where battles between XJ and KJ owners rage daily. I am confident that the return of the XJ would not be a mistake monetarily or in any other way. Reintroducing the aged Cherokee will bring back the many customers who love Jeep because of its independence and create peace in the many people shaken by this evolution.
I hope that this letter will be considered along with the many others written by people who feel the same way. The removal of the Cherokee is a mistake I hope you will correct. The world of off-road vehicles is crashing down, and Jeep should be the one bold enough to beat the odds once again. The Cherokee is a vehicle never successfully mimicked by any other producer. I, along with thousands of others, am waiting for Jeep to uphold their independent reputation and restore to us the vehicle that revolutionized the SUV market. After all, with Jeeps “There’s Only One.”
Sincerely,
YOURNAME”
heres Chryslers address:
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004
holy cow that was long… the XJ is long gone, there’s no bringing it back. Even if they wanted to, they can’t—the tooling to build them is gone, as is the factory they were built in if I’m not mistaken. It really did need a ground-up redesign to bring it into the 21st century though… the fact that it remained in production as long as it did is a testiment to how well it was designed in the first place, but there’s only so long that a unibody vehicle designed in the 70’s can realistically compete with vehicles designed 20 some odd years later.
Fear not though, the new 4-dr Unlimited should prove to be quite a worthy successor to the XJ’s legacy.
YEA i have read all about the new 4 dr unlimited. i really like the design as well as the idea. the only thing i worry about is the 3.8L V6? for a vehecial that size a 4.2 or im the sorry i have to say this but the chevy 4.3 is a very nice motor as well a mopar spin off of any of these would be more offroad worthy in my mind as far as V6’s go, a 4.7 / 318 V8 would deffinatly get my vote although i know that will never happen with gas the way it is today. but they could alway equip it with the MDS (Multi Displacement System) for fuel eco. but if i were given a choice between my i6 and a 3.8 V6 i would choose my i6 any day
What gets me is that DCX HAS a 4.0L V6!! It’s going in the new Dodge Nitro. I have no idea why they didn’t use it in the new JK’s. At least then they could still call it a 4.0L, even if it wasn’t a straight-six, and I think folks would be more accepting of it. The 3.8L is a pretty good engine from what I’ve heard though (I’d still take an I6 over it any day though).
They really should stick the upcoming 3.0L CRD in there as well, a diesel JK would sell like hotcakes.
i agree 100% on that i would much sooner by the diesel than the gas burner. i think who ever is thinking all this up should be fired lol or they should at least take coustomer survays before they do something drastic like they have been doing
haha… you know what… this looks like a crappy rounded off version of the cherokee with round headlights. I’m pissed off at Chrysler. THEY’RE YUPPIFYING THE ENTIRE JEEP LINEUP… who cares about some rich b**** jerks kid! WHAT ABOUT US
! The true Jeep fans… the ones who utmost out of all others… deserve our offroad vehicles with more ruggedness than refinedness. Stop trying to make them more comfortable. I LOVE how my 92’ YJ rides… and that’s a 15 year old design with a 2-3 inch lift piled on. IF YOU CANT HANDLE THE RIDE AND THE “RAW” FACTOR…. DONT BUY A JEEP
.... Jeeps were never meant to be driven by middle aged housewives and sissy boys. GO BUY A D*** HONDA CRV!! not every automobile on the road has to be a prius. that’s why there are so many different ones to choose from. As such i will now end my angry rant.
Mr Marcy, the word is “Professional”, educated or not, by your age you should know how to spell. As far as the folks crying over the demise of the XJ…, I agree with Jason (he knows a thing or two kids). I love my XJ and my Grand, but the facts remain that without (and possibly with) modernization, Jeep will end up like the rest of Detroit, broke (ironically, the “true Jeep fan” rarely buys oem). I remember when all the “purists” railed on the rectangle headlights on the then redesigned Wrangler, get over it folks, Jeep doesn’t build for you, it builds for the masses. The market is simple, it’s women in their mid 20’s to 40’s. Most rock crawlers do not fit that bill, but then again, most “purists” build where Jeep left off anyway…so make something happen with what you got.
lets all close our eyes and pray to the mighty XJ gods that the 4-door wrangler unlimited will come with a diesel so that gale banks can pull out as much horsepower and torque as he does with the ram
I’ve sold my trusty ol’ Jeep XJ not long ago. I’d had it for ~ 8 years. I’ve been to Boulder park, Rubicon and some other beautiful off-road parks around US. I’ve seen humiliation in eyes of Liberty owners when YJ,TJ or XJ owners showed their tails in the rock dust. Liberty is ment for URBAN JUNGLES, period. It is too weak to be among mighty line-up of solidly built XJ, YX, TJ and yearly Jeep vehicles.
Now, the new trend on auto industy is for so-called urban warriors with 19-22 inch rims and in-dash DVD system and trunks full of aplifiers and sub-woofers.
The true meaning of OFF-ROAD built-in in small sized JEEP vehicles has been dying som some time now. There is no resurection of old times. We, the off-road enthusiasts, just have to remain rallied and KEEP OUR DREAMS ROLLING regardless of what Detroit shizers down on us!
I to this day remain a devoted OFF-ROAD enthusiast even thoug I don’t own a JEEP. I will soon, I promice!
Cheers!
They’re dragging the Jeep name through the mud.
Pun intended.
I like the body style and interior features, especially fold down front passenger seat. But, NO DIESEL ! (for the U.S.market) NO SALE! PERIOD!! This from an owner of 3 different jeeps who is now shopping outside the brand for a fuel efficent and affordable small diesel. I sick and tiredof seeing every other market get the good models and better drivetrains, while we in the U.S. are given the same old choice of one.
Figured I’d resurrect this posting, as I’m just beginning to really read up on the Patriot the past few weeks. I’m a big fan of the XJ. I got one for my first vehicle when I was 16, and purchased another XJ after that. I’ve been driving my ‘92 XJ now for about 7+ years, but am now looking at getting something to replace it for my daily driving duties within about the next year.
When I first saw photos of the Patriot, I thought it was a long-awaited redesigned Cherokee… and after further review, I still think it’s the closest vehichle on the market since the XJ that even gets close. I’m at a time in my life right now where I won’t be doing much off-roading, but still like the convenience/styling/feel of my XJ. So for more daily-driver and less off-road usage, I think the Patriot will be a great option. When you look spec for spec in terms of size, styling, and features… it’s pretty darn close to the XJ.
I definitely think with the suggested pricing, that it will be my next vehicle. However, I’m still going to hang onto the XJ as well. Without using the XJ as my daily driver, I’ll finally feel comfortable using it as the project vehicle that I’ve always wanted to.
I think it’s a shame that the XJ was discontinued, I really do. I for one would love to see a modern reincarnation of the XJ. Unfortunately in a world as we have today; there is no room in an already growing line up to fill every nook and cranny of the current market. I myself am XJ fan and have owned two to date, and love them dearly. I find myself hard pressed to find any reason to replace my 99 XJ with anything Jeep has to offer. I just don’t understand why they got rid of it in the first place. Why did they not redesign it like ford does with its ever successful mustang? I mean the XJ and the TJ for that matter, are icons in jeeps history, just like the mustang is in ford history, why dump them. I unfortunately see nothing left for me at jeep. Like many of you have said what about the current jeep owners, what do we get, what are we left with. Sadly nothing…
Whoa,
With all this wine in these posts I might get the Patriot confused with a French SUV LePatriot. C’mon folks. If they weren’t gonna fix it to compete. Let it go. I’m happy they kept it alive as long as they did. It was about 3 years past its prime anyhow. I have a 98 XJ and would have camped out on the front lawn of DC Exec’s to get them to keep it but it’s gone folks. And I’m not all that broken up by it. Here’s why. My wife bought a 98 CRV. I got the 98 XJ. We have 2 kids. She got 60-40 seats, rear head rest (important if you have little ones) child seat anchors, in floor storage, map pockets (front-rear) more leg and head room, the list can go on and on.
The thing that she didn’t like about the Jeep poor mpg, cramped hard seats, no storage areas, rough riding and the part time 4wd. The CRV has real time all wheel. All she (and most soccer moms) want to know is can is:
Can it go through knee deep flash floor water –Check
Can I take off on icy, snowy slopes when we have to pick the girls from school on snow days (visit the in-laws in the Ozarks at Christmas)- Check.
Does it get 20mpg- Check
Can it hold 2 car seats and an adult in the back seat- Check.
Can it run for 10 years w/o a major mechanical failure- Check (so far tires, oil, brakes, belts).
This is where the XJ got left behind. The Liberty has made up huge amounts of ground to get Jeep back into the small SUV game. The are winning in this group now. All by starting with the IFS! The Rock Crawler groupies like me just have to bear through it. If DC doesn’t make these vehicles. Japan will. And then you will be sifting the auto yards looking for parts for your XJ, TJ, CJ’s b/c DC will be out of business. Ask International Scout owners about that. Get over it and the IFS!
I love my XJ. It’s full of aftermarket goodies and my wife now wants trade up the Conmmander. Should I pass on it b/c of IFS and 18” wheels? For 40K it doesn’t matter if it can go Anywhere do Anything. It’s going to church, school, grocery stores, ballet practice and to the Ozarks for the holidays. Since we won’t run into any stream crossings like Tellico or through the Sluice on the Rubicon, I’ll be just fine crawling over curb stops at the mall to get out of tight parking spots. The XJ will get a new home in the shed with more mods and the 07’ 4-door unlimited will be my new DD. That’s the way it is now.
When Will the Patriot be in Showrooms?
Isn’t the Jeep Cherokee still made as the Jeep 2500 in China?
Wow. Since the merger i think jeeps have gone down hill. The discontinue of the xj to be replaced by the liberty, the wrangler getting extended again and possible 4 doors? This is not the 4×4 jeep. These new products are german designed and made for the new familys who can say i have a jeep, but only use them for caring the golf clubs and art supplies here and there. These are not ment for offroad, id like to see the new Grand Cherokee try and clear even a speed bump. its front bumber is what like 13 inches off the ground? I think is Jeeps wants to keep its die hard fans waiting for the next line up, it should get back to its roots, ask the jeepers who knwo how to use their jeeps what they want. Ask the American Jeeper, not the German designers and ceo’s of the compnay
i love the XJ one of the best cars made i have no problems with the Jeep KJ, but i know DC needs to make money why dont they build all these wimpy cars in the chrysler or dodge line-up not the Jeep line-up
They would make a diesel in this market if we didn’t have a lot of retards that voted a power hungry oil man into office for a second term. Do you really think he would allow us to have fuel effecient vehicles when he is trying to make money for himself and his friends by making up lies in order to raise the gas prices?? Why do you think the electric cars dissapeared only a few months after production?? Everyone will be witness to how quickly the US market changes once he is out of office. As far as the Patriot goes, if you get the trail rated version then it should do ok off road. They obviously aren’t made to tow because thats what trucks and bigger more powerful SUVs are for. It has already conquered the Rubicon Trail in California and if you need something that can do more off road then get a Wrangler because thats what they are made for. The Patriot is a gas saving, urban driving vehicle that is capable of going off road if neccesary. If you don’t like it then get something else or become a CEO of a long running corporation and make vehicles that fit the taste of only 2% of the customer base. See how long you keep your job.
Hey people. **READ THIS
**I think everyone reading this who doesn’t yet know about it will be excited. Appearantly(unless my delusional imagination is getting the better of me due to the late hour…) Jeep is producing a 2007 JEEP CHEROKEE with pretty much all original XJ design in China. I was absolutely thrilled when I found out about it. Check it out for yourself and spread the word. Who knows if this gets around enough and people take a serious interest maybe it will reappear in the US. Afterall Toyota was influenced by fans to recreate the original Toyota FJ of the 60’s with the 2007 FJ Cruiser, which was originally only a concept and never intended for actual production. (I spend hours every day researching this sort of thing haha) Anyway HERE IS THE LINK for the new JEEP IN CHINA:http://www.jeep.com.cn/jeep2500/about/out.html Message me on my lame myspace page and let me know what you think!
I hate to be the party-pooper, but China’s been producing that XJ for quite a while now, since before the XJ went out of production in the US. DCX can’t build the XJ anymore, even if they wanted to, the factory that XJ’s were built in is gone, as is the tooling used to make them. The XJ also wouldn’t pass 2007 federal crash test regs as it is anyway so it would still require a full redesign. And the FJ Cruiser is nothing like the old FJ40 other than the name and grille design. It’s like going from an old Willy’s WWII Jeep to a Liberty.
I drove a Patriot for a week as a rental. The first thing I noticed when I drove into it was the horrendous amount of road noise, the faster you go the worse it gets, you have to turn up the radio to try to drown it out. I like to drive with the radio off sometimes with time to think, there is no way I could do that in this vehicle. I live in the country and most of my driving would be considered highway mileage and there is NO way this thing got 25 miles to the gallon, maybe 18. The interior feels very cheap and the fabric on the seats seems to be very thin and would tear easily. My husband who is 6’1” found it very uncomfortable to drive. Just my two cents.
i got a patriot about a month ago, and i love it.. i dont know why people have to be so negitive.. for the price you cant go wrong.. im 19 and have a 5 month old son and couldnt want a better suv.. i think it get great gas millage.. my boyfriend is always pushing the truck to its limit and we still are able to make it a whole week without feeling it up again (we both drive it to work everyday and only need 35$) i wouldnt trade mine in for anything.. and to the lady above me.. well what do u expect.. its a little suv, ofcourse a 6 foot man isnt gonna fit comfortabley in it.. its like putting a fat man into a little honda, just isnt gonna happen. i think jeep has plenty of car for offroading.. and just because they now have a few that arent “offroading material” doesnt change a thing about jeep.. when you hear the name “jeep” whats does everyone thinks of????? OFFROADING
the xj is being built in china and it has been upgraded. it looks great. but not for north american customers. its call the Jeep 2500.
I just bought a 2008 Patriot 3 weeks ago, driving on the highway my drivers side window popped, nothing hit us it just popped, has anyone else had this problem….dealership paying to have it fixed…just checking if its a known problem…other then that I love my Jeep