BEHIND THE WHEEL: New Jeep Patriot exceeds expectations

This week we’re at Crist Auto and RV Sales, 2515 E. Logan St., Ottawa, and we’re behind the wheel of a 2008 Jeep Patriot.

One of the smaller crossover SUVs, this tough-looking little number still seems like a classic squared-off Jeep. More importantly, it has the good solid feel of a Jeep on the road. The Patriot handles well and corners beautifully.

The power delivery feels energetic, and it accelerates with enthusiasm.

This Patriot is powered by a 2.4-liter, fuel-injected four-cylinder engine and, while it could perform a tad bit on the sluggish side, it doesn’t. In fact, it felt like the most powerful four-cylinder I’ve ever driven.

For buyers still concerned about gas prices and miles per gallon, the Patriot gets 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Stability control with roll-over mitigation, traction control, anti-lock brakes and head curtain air bags are standard equipment.

The 2008 Jeep Patriot earned four out of five stars for driver protection and a perfect score for front passenger protection in government crash tests. Another five stars was earned for both front- and rear-passenger protection in side-impact testing.

While the rear-passenger headrests seem to limit visibility somewhat, the side windows are extra large and the oversize side mirrors compensate well.

The interior is surprisingly roomy for a small SUV. There’s plenty of leg room, both in front and in the rear. The rear floor board is also quite deep, meaning long-legged rear-seat passengers won’t feel like their chin is resting on their knees.

Carrying on the Jeep tradition of wide-body doors, getting into and out of this Patriot is a pure pleasure. There’s plenty of negotiating room, which is especially helpful if your arms are full. There’s no need to cheat by hanging onto the steering wheel or grab bar.

The door-space clearance in the back appears to be the answer to the prayers of parents with children still in car seats.

While some might prefer a little more ground clearance, I personally felt it was just right — high enough to give me big SUV visibility, but low enough that I wasn’t afraid I’d hurt myself getting in or out.

The interior is simple and functional; everything you’d expect from a Jeep and the fold-flat seats were a surprise, since so many of the crossover SUVs don’t fold completely flat.

The Patriot is fun to drive, easy to parallel park and does all the things you’d expect a Jeep to do.

The balance of the manufacturer’s warranty is available on this 2008 Patriot, and with less than 14,000 miles on the odometer, that’s a lot of warranty. It’s also priced right at $16,888.

To put yourself behind the wheel of this remarkable vehicle, visit Crist Auto and RV Sales today at the junction of I-35 and K-68.

Linda Brown is marketing director for The Ottawa Herald. E-mail her at lbrown@ottawaherald.com.