2008 Jeep Patriot Overview Change Vehicle

This 2008 Jeep Patriot review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2008 Patriot, and includes Jeep Patriot safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Jeep has determined that even base Patriot buyers would like air conditioning and cruise control, so they come standard this year. An auxiliary audio input jack and a tire pressure monitoring system are also new for 2008, and the Sport model can be equipped with an optional power sunroof and stain-resistant YES Essentials cloth seating. The Patriot Limited adds satellite radio, HomeLink, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror to the standard equipment list, but loses its formerly standard roof rack. The optional continuously variable transmission also gets a new manual shift feature called AutoStick when the Freedom Drive II 4WD system is ordered, and Jeep makes an effort to refine the Patriot’s powertrains. But the standard braking system switches from rear discs to inferior drums for 2008.

For 2008, the Jeep Patriot continues in Sport and Limited trim levels. The Sport model is sparsely equipped, though air conditioning becomes standard this year. That’s good, because vinyl seats are no fun on hot, sticky days. Other features include 16-inch steel wheels, roof rails, an exterior temperature display, a tire pressure monitoring system, a split-folding rear seat, a CD player, an auxiliary audio input jack, a tilt steering wheel, and a theft-deterrent system. If you’re willing to spend a few thousand extra, you can upgrade the Sport with almost as much equipment as the Patriot Limited.

Power windows, power side mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, dark tinted rear windows, cruise control, satellite radio, and floor mats come standard on the Patriot Limited. This version also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and a fold-flat front passenger’s seat. Leather upholstery is standard, the driver’s seat adjusts for height and lumbar support, the front seats are heated, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel includes audio controls. The Limited is also equipped with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, map lights, a removable and rechargeable flashlight, an auxiliary power outlet, and a HomeLink universal programmable remote.

The Patriot Sport is available with option packages that add many of the Limited model’s features. Side-impact airbags for the driver and front passenger are optional on both the Sport and Limited, along with a Boston Acoustics sound system that includes reverse-deployment tailgate speakers for blasting the tunes at outdoor gatherings. A power sunroof and a CD changer are also available on both models. The Patriot Limited is exclusively offered with Uconnect Bluetooth hands-free cell phone pairing and a navigation system.

A 172-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is standard on every Patriot, and it makes an unimpressive 165 pound-feet of torque. Remarkably, this is the stronger of two engine offerings. If you want to slice a few hundred bucks off the sticker price, you can choose a 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 158 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque, but only if you’re getting a Patriot Sport with front-wheel drive.

A five-speed manual gearbox is standard equipment on all models except those with the smaller 2.0-liter engine (a CVT is optional with the 2.4-liter engine). Jeep offers a choice between two 4WD systems. If you’re planning off-road excursions, we recommend upgrading to the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group, which provides the necessary hardware for a “Trail Rated” Patriot. Only available in conjunction with a CVT, this package contains a raised suspension, a two-speed transfer case with an off-road crawl ratio, skid plates and tow hooks, and a full-size spare tire.

By choosing the little 2.0-liter engine, you save gas in addition to initial cash outlay. The EPA estimates that this model will return 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway*. The bigger 2.4-liter engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive gets 23-mpg city/28-mpg highway*. The CVT drops the rating to 21-mpg city/25-mpg highway*. When equipped with 4WD, the Patriot provides 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway* with the manual gearbox, while the CVT gets 21-mpg city/24-mpg highway*. The optional Freedom Drive II 4WD system sucks up additional fuel, at the rate of 20 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway*.

* Starting with the 2008 model year, the EPA has revised the way it calculates fuel economy estimates in an effort to provide more accurate data reflective of what consumers will experience in the real world. Typically, this produces mileage estimates that are lower than in previous years.

Tire pressure monitoring, traction control, stability control with rollover sensing, and antilock brakes with brake assist are standard features on all 2008 Patriots. This year, Jeep is installing rear drum brakes on the basic Sport model. All other Patriots have rear discs. Dual front and side curtain airbags are also included, with side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants offered as an option. Hill descent control is included with the Freedom Drive II 4WD system.

Based on its performance in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the 2008 Patriot is quite safe. The Patriot receives a 5-Star rating for the front seat passenger in a frontal impact, and for the driver and a rear seat passenger in a side-impact crash. A 4-Star rating is assigned to the driver in the frontal-impact test, as well as for rollover resistance for both the front- and all-wheel-drive models.

The Patriot also receives favorable ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which assigns its highest score of Good to the Patriot for its offset frontal and side-impact crash test performance, and for its roof crush strength. The Patriot gets an Acceptable rating for front seat occupant injury protection in a rear-impact crash.

Leading market research firms offer slightly divergent viewpoints about the Patriot’s reliability. Consumer Reports says the 2008 Patriot should provide better than average dependability, but J.D. Power and Associates disagrees and finds the Patriot’s dependability to be slightly below average.

Vehix cautiously recommends the 2008 Jeep Patriot. Based on our own experience behind the wheel, the Patriot is rather slow, rather loud, and rather unrefined. The interior is chock-full of cheap and glossy plastic. And the cargo area isn’t terribly large. However, this is a good looking little Jeep, it can tackle more difficult terrain than a typical crossover SUV can, and fuel economy averages in the low 20-mpg range even with the top 4WD system. Plus, the Patriot is safe, and Consumer Reports thinks reliability will be better than average.

By Christian Wardlaw