Jeep Patriot: Styling Impressions

Replying to: clarkkent (Apr 29, 2006 6:58 pm)

Yep... The Patriot is indeed bigger than the XJ (85-02) Cherokee... but then again, so is my 01 Honda CR-V .
 
SUV's have grown larger. As noted, the XJ's were not very large. There are almost no SUV's left on the road smaller. The Wrangler is shorter, but heavier. Even the RAV4 is larger now. The Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are perhaps the only true compact SUV's left!
 
Look at these specs:
 
84-96 Cherokee 4 door (from Consumer Guide):
Wheelbase, in.----------101.4
Overall Length, in.------166.9
Overall Width, in.--------67.7
Overall Height, in.-------63.8
Curb Weight, lbs.-------2955
 
2006 Honda CR-V
Wheelbase, in.----------103.3
Overall Length, in.------181.0
Overall Width, in.--------70.2
Overall Height, in.-------66.2
Curb Weight, lbs.-------3428
 
Now, the 2006 Jeep Liberty
Wheelbase, in.----------104.3
Overall Length, in.------174.4
Overall Width, in.--------71.6
Overall Height, in.-------70.2
Curb Weight, lbs.-------4011
 
And, just for comparison, the original 93-98 Grand CHerokee:
Wheelbase, in.----------105.9
Overall Length, in.------179.0
Overall Width, in.--------70.9
Overall Height, in.-------64.7
Curb Weight, lbs.-------3614
 
The CR-V is over 10 inches longer, and almost 500 lbs heavier. The Liberty is a bit longer, though in both of these cases the spare tire accounts for a good amount of the length. Also, note that the Liberty has gained over 1000 lbs., 4 lbs in length, and 6 inches in height. Still, both the current Liberty and CR-V are almost the size of the original Grand Cherokee.
 
What has happened is a shift in how we view SUV sizes. In the 80's and early 90's, an S10 Based blazer, Jeep Cherokee, or Ranger-based Explorer passed as a midsize, while smaller vehicles such as the Suzuki Samurai and sidekick represented the compact end. We have forgotten just how small the XJ's truly were! At least, those of us who have never ridden in the back seat of one!!!
 
The (02+)Explorer, Grand Cherokee, and Trailblazer are all a size larger than their predecessors. Compact SUV's have grown to take their place, leaving an opening below them. Even the little Sidekick grew into the larger Grand Vitara! The Patriot has the potential to be the only off-road capable SUV in this this market, while offering the styling that made the Cherokee so popular for so many years.

Replies to this message:
• gljvd (Apr 30, 2006 9:59 am)
  • clarkkent (Apr 30, 2006 2:36 pm)
    • pegacorn (Apr 30, 2006 5:52 pm) and 3 more...

Replying to: stumpf2000 (Apr 30, 2006 9:13 am)

Replies to this message:
• clarkkent (Apr 30, 2006 2:36 pm)
  • pegacorn (Apr 30, 2006 5:52 pm)
    • clarkkent (Apr 30, 2006 6:29 pm) and 2 more...

Replies to this message:
• gljvd (Apr 30, 2006 11:24 am)
  • rsholland (May 01, 2006 5:43 am)
    • gljvd (May 01, 2006 9:51 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Apr 30, 2006 10:15 am)

Replies to this message:
• rsholland (May 01, 2006 5:43 am)
  • gljvd (May 01, 2006 9:51 am)

Replying to: gljvd (Apr 30, 2006 9:59 am)

Sorry to hear your Cherokee is dying. When it dies, if you love it. Go get an 2001. I think that was the last year. That 2001 will go at least as long as your 94, with was 12 or 13 years. So you will be good until 2013 or 2014! That should give you a lot longer with the good old Cherokee. (many, many cherokees are still running well after 20 years, so you may have your 2001 past 2021.
 
I think the Patriot is going to replace the old Cherokee quite nicely. I don't want something bigger. I like the size of my 91 Cherokee.
 
And to the gentleman that has the CRV. I had one too. You can't compare any CRV to a Cherokee. If you took any CRV off road. It would get stuck when it got to any mud over 6 deep" or snow got over a foot deep! and they would power out with 13" of snow. No low range. An awd Subaru will run circles around a CRV.
My CRV went into passing gear at 65 any time it started up a 2% grade! You can't drive a CRV in Montana without it being in passing gear 1/2 the time. and that's on a level road!
 
The CRV is an all wheel drive for ladies who don't want to get stuck on road with an inch or so of snow on them.

Replies to this message:
• pegacorn (Apr 30, 2006 5:52 pm)
  • clarkkent (Apr 30, 2006 6:29 pm)
    • pegacorn (Apr 30, 2006 9:15 pm) and 1 more...

Replying to: clarkkent (Apr 30, 2006 2:36 pm)

Replies to this message:
• clarkkent (Apr 30, 2006 6:29 pm)
  • pegacorn (Apr 30, 2006 9:15 pm)
    • clarkkent (May 01, 2006 7:18 am)

Replying to: pegacorn (Apr 30, 2006 5:52 pm)

I sure don't know what your smoking, but it isn't made out of rice!
 
I have a wrangler and a Cherokee and I'd take the ride and handling and road ability of both of those over a CRV (which I also owned) any day! Both of my Jeeps will go places your CRV couldn't even try.
 
That being said, You couldn't even drive your CRV in anything over a foot of snow here in Montana. My CRV would power out all the time.
 
As I said before, the CRV is for ladies who don't want to be stuck in and inch or two of snow.
 
I have driven my Cherokee 1991 on a 4k trip this summer. Great ride, great seats, plenty of power, lots of room.
 
It just comes down to the fact that here in the west there are lots of places I would feel uncomfortable going in the winter in a CRV for fear of getting stuck, should it snow. I take a Jeep. That way I know I'll not usually get stuck.
 
Very unusual, but once we had over 48" of snow. Yes 4 feet! It took me several hours and three sets of chains to get down my 1/4 drive. But with low range and 2 sets of chains on the front and one on the back of the Cherokee I got out. My 4x4 Subaru with a low range got 6 feet! IN IT'S LOW RANGE. No power. A CRV wouldn't have had a chance. I know they were not built for that type of snow, the Jeep wasn't either, but the Jeep got out. It took some time. Back and forth, snow was over the hood but it did get out. So the CRV is not an option if you really want a 4x4 you can trust to get you out or get you home in the winter in the west. + the CRV is built with the structural integrity of an aluminium beer can!. Don't tell me it isn't I had one. Maybe the newer ones are better but my 2001 was nothing more than a beer can on wheels.
 
Even my wife thought it was the most unsafe car we ever drove. If the CRV is good for you, Great. It's
just not strong or powerful enough for the mountains
 
Also used CRV's sell for about 25 under book out here. So they are a good buy for those ladies that don't want to be stuck in the snow.

Replies to this message:
• pegacorn (Apr 30, 2006 9:15 pm)
  • clarkkent (May 01, 2006 7:18 am)