Matchbox Jeep

As the only child has its advantages. I remember Christmas is a particularly good time of the year with a lot of presents and nobody harassed me to play with them. Without doubt, the most popular moment in my childhood was unwrapping a brand new, shiny toy car. Just like driving a lump of metal around the ground for the clock at the end kept me amused I am not sure, but the car tax was a damn sight cheaper I know that much. Well, I long for the heydays again and Jeep May, with the answer.

The Jeep Patriot is essentially a mini-Jeep, a matchbox toy version of the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. It's Jeep's goal to attract as many families in the Patriot as possible and are marketing it as a sensible, affordable alternative to the family sedan.


A few things are immediately obvious. Despite the "mini" (and I use my Mini in comparison to a Boeing 747) proportions, the baby Jeep is still most definitely from the same family as its bigger brothers. The seven front slot grille and round headlights are as synonymous with Jeep, as the contour of the nose to an Aston Martin. The styling combines aggression on the street with off-road tradition, although the front has been fairly low to the ground meaning any serious off-road action could be a problem.

Switchable four-wheel drive is the de rigueur for all would-Off-road candidate. There is also space for the whole family (mobile, as this is the goal of the demographic) with a lot of space and boat-a washable interior allows even the messiest weekend trips to enjoy, without a large bill valeting upon return.

A magnificent 2-liter engine is economical diesel under the hood of the "Diesel Sport derivative and makes a fair fist of things when on the road. In fact, an average running back around 42mpg, a statistic you do not need to decipher Einstein to know that for a SUV, it is extraordinary. Of course, the downside to this economy is the low rev range is not the punchiest and you need the full rev range to make any kind of rapid progress, but you will not have the look of horror as a fuel gauge drop before your eyes. The six speed gearbox not let the side down and allow either the Patriot to make the best use of these speeds you are hunting.

The car is the amount more than juvenile and adult height that crippled the Patriot corners to fight more effective than other 4 x 4 fellow countrymen. The smaller proportions not only assist in the prevention of body roll but the handling is responsive and has a nimble has the feeling that you forget what kind of vehicle you drive.

The interior is perhaps an aspect that has reached reviewers for their red pens, but I do not agree. While the build quality is not compete with the Germans, let alone the flair of the Italians but we are missing the point. As already mentioned, the Jeep a family can do everything it can to throw and stay untouched. Throw mud, Ribena and ice on the dashboard (Note: no responsibility taken from this author, you should do this), and it will wipe clean in seconds.

This 4x 4 is the antithesis of the Italian flair, the Bruce Willis of the subway-sexual world we live in. The front is square, the back is space - even the wheel are somehow place. In fact, with the exception of the wheels and the lights, that must've crawled through the conveyor belt in the assembly plant, there is not a curve on the car - and it is better for them.

The robust its intention to go anywhere, take something in reality. The Jeep is really a serious alternative to the other family cars on the road. At £ 15,000 ($ 30000) price tag that you do not set off either. Perhaps, however crucial it is really a small 4 x 4 and as a consequence that the usual off-road vehicle Haters you slip by unnoticed.

In summary, the Jeep Patriot makes you feel like the manliest man ever, while gently wrapping his arms around protecting your family. It can on the 4 x 4 proportions of a matchbox toys, but this is a car, will be pushed from the field and around the floor until the heap is worn out.