Jeep Patriot 2.0 CRD (2007) CAR review

The Jeep Patriot? I'm whistling the Star-Spangled Banner already...

The name ain't exactly subtle, is it? And the odd names don't end there; the Patriot's new 4x4 system is called the 'Freedom Drive 1' – fitting for a newly independent Chrysler Jeep set adrift by Mercedes... The jury's still out on the Patriot's looks. There are strong family styling cues, though somewhat dinkier than usual, but to these eyes the chunky visuals work surprisingly well on a car of this size. But is a chunky 4x4 look enough to entice buyers increasingly suspicious of big, heavy off-roaders in this eco-aware age?

Ok, I'm getting a hint here – what's with this size business?

Glad you asked. The Patriot sees Jeep breaking new ground. It's a little difficult to tell when pictured in isolation, but this car is actually rather smaller than you'd expect. It's aimed at the family hatchback and MPV market as much as entry-level SUVs, with Jeep comparing its footprint to Ford's C-Max. It's just as easy to park, Jeep claims. We'd take both claims with a pinch of salt, but it's certainly a lot smaller than the current-generation Honda CR-V, and sits lower to the ground than Toyota's RAV4. What's really surprising, given the Jeep badging and level of standard equipment, is the price...