Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study, the Jeep Patriot received an Overall Initial Quality Power Circle Rating of 2 out of 5.

Performance and Design – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL), the Jeep Patriot received an Overall Performance and Design Power Circle Rating of 2 out of 5.

Predicted Reliability – The Jeep Patriot was a new model for 2007 and is too new to have been included in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measured dependability of 2006 model-year vehicles. However, based on the performance of previous Jeeps during the past five years in both our Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability studies, the predicted reliability rating for the 2009 Jeep Patriot is 2.5 out of 5.

Fuel Economy – The 2009 Jeep Patriot is equipped with one of two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The smaller engine is available only with front-wheel drive and a CVT on Patriot Sport models, and is rated to get 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway by the EPA. The larger engine is the standard powerplant, and can be matched with a manual gearbox or CVT, driving the front or all four wheels. As such, the EPA mileage estimates for the 2.4-liter engine range from a low of 20 mpg in the city to a high of 28 mpg on the highway, depending on configuration.

Our review vehicle, a Patriot Limited with the 2.4-liter engine, the CVT, and 4WD, averaged 18.2 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with the Patriot’s standard 13.5-gallon fuel tank (13.6 on front-wheel drive models), this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 245-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Jeep Patriot gets a 4-star crash-test rating for frontal-impact protection on the driver’s side and a 5-star rating for frontal-impact protection on the front passenger’s side. Side impact occupant protection is rated 5-stars for front and rear seat occupants, and the Patriot receives a 4-star rollover rating with front- or four-wheel drive.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Jeep Patriot a “Good” rating in the offset frontal impact crash test, a “Good” rating in the side impact crash test, and an “Acceptable” rating for rear impact protection. The Patriot also receives a “Good” rating in the IIHS’s new roof-strength test.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2009 Jeep Patriot consumes between 13.7 and 16.3 barrels of petroleum annually with the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, depending on transmission and drivetrain selection. The resulting carbon footprint ratings range from 7.3 tons and 8.7 tons of air pollution per year. The Patriot’s national air pollution score is a 6 out of 10 and its California/New England air pollution score is a 7 out of 10 for both powertrains. The EPA does not supply air pollution scores for the PZEV version of the Patriot’s 2.4-liter engine.