I just leased a 2008 Jeep Patriot Gold/Khaki with 2-tone beige leatherette interior for my fiance. (BY THE WAY..she LOVES the small suv she named it Goldie) It is the sport edition 2.0 L I-4 (smaller engine) CVT transmission. CD player, and not much else.

Styling:
The exterior looks like a jeep of old. If you liked the 1980-90s cherokee, you'll love the styling of the jeep, complete with round headlights and all. The paint color is real nice, not quite gold, not quite champagne, just like a light goldish khaki with all pieces matching the color except black handles; which are probably this way to keep the wear and tear off the most handled areas. Roof rack was standard. The jeep rides a bit lower than a standard SUV but from most angles it is tough to see that it is any smaller.

Interior is a nice looking (sure it may be cheap in actuality) but a nice 2-tone pseudo leather beige and dark beige seats, with some chrome accents, and good little drawers etc to hide stuff in. Very roomy in the front, I am 6'1 and fit no problem. The back seats fold down 60/40 flat, and the cargo area has a functional rubber cargo mat. The back seats are plenty big for 2 normal size adults on shorter trips, or 2 kids on longer road trips. There is plenty of room in the back cargo area to carry most everyday things. The stereo is nice, 6 speakers, and sounds great. There is no power locks or windows but this is south florida, how often do you roll down the windows? The AC is SUPER cold. The instrument panel is very basic, but it is a jeep!

RIDE/HANDLING:
If you have never driven a CVT vehicle (continous variable transmission) it takes some getting used to. You keep waiting for a shift but it never happens. The car is about 1 1/2 tons, so with the smaller I-4 2.0 L engine it doesn't quite jump off a line. I don't think i would like this car in a very hilly area because i think the engine would just be way under powered, But for cruising around town it is perfect. The stearing is not too rigid, the suspension not too stiff, the road noise at a minimum, and the engine VERY quiet and down around 1500 RPM at cruising 50 MPH speed. There is great visibility all around when driving and the handling is rather smooth around corners with minimal tippy feelings. When you lay off the gas totally while slowing down it does have a bit of a jerk as it almost feels like it shifts into neutral. The brakes are a bit soft, but more than capable of stopping the car quickly. The turning radius is so so, but not too bad to make it through U turns without too much of a hassle. I wouldn't consider towing anything more than about a hot dog stand or 1 jet ski, but overall I don't think people are looking at this car for anything other than tooling around town.

OVERALL PROS:
-GAS MILEAGE!!! 23-29 EPA, but 26 around town, and 30 on highway already.
-STYLING!!! classic jeep look inside and out.
-VALUE for the price.

CONS:
-slow off the line (2.0 L I-4and CVT..what do you expect)
-small gas tank 13 gallons
-wish it was 6 inches longer and given to the back seats

OVERALL:
AMAZING small SUV for the money, I don't think there is anything in this price range (15-17K) in an SUV that is this cool. If being up a bit higher and having a car you are not embarassed of and having awesome gas mileage is important, look no further. And with the 2.99 per gallon for gas guaruntee for 12K a year for 3 years, it is a good deal!
Amount Paid (US$): 16750
Condition: New
Model Year: 2008
Model and Options: 2.0L 1-4 automatic