The new 2011 Jeep Patriot, the affordable compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV), offers consumers segment-leading capability and unsurpassed 4×4 fuel economy along with new aggressive exterior styling, new interior features and improved ride-and-handling characteristics.

Jeep Patriot combines the packaging and interior flexibility of an SUV with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car. Many standard safety features, such as side-curtain air bags and electronic stability program (ESC), add to Jeep Patriot’s tremendous value.

Jeep Patriot is built for maximum cargo volume, rugged driving conditions and excellent utility.

The Jeep Patriot’s face is classic Jeep, featuring an updated, modern version of brand’s signature seven-slot grille with a new rugged mesh texture, a robust bumper and round headlamps. New front and rear fascia designs enhance the classic Jeep trapezoidal wheel arches. The new aggressive front fascia features a body-color grille as well as a skid plate that surrounds the new, inboard-mounted fog lamps. The new rear fascia extends lower than on previous models and features a chrome-tipped exhaust on the Latitude X model.

Classic Jeep design cues include new available 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-terrain tires housed inside signature Jeep trapezoidal wheel openings. Jeep Patriot’s high beltline completes the vehicle’s protective side profile.

Interior upgrades for the 2011 Jeep Patriot include new soft touch front-door trim panels with a padded upper surface; new center armrest; a new Jeep steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, handsfree phone and other vehicle functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; new cloth interior with premium cloth bucket seats in the front; standard speed control on all models; new backlighting of door switches, door locks, windows and power mirror controls and standard automatic temperature control on the Latitude X model. Interior color options for the 2011 Jeep Patriot are Dark Slate Gray or Dark Slate Gray with Light Pebble Beige.

New for 2011 the Jeep Patriot offers an All-weather Capability Group option which includes 17-inch aluminum wheels with Goodyear all-terrain tires, all-season floor mats, daytime running headlamps, engine block heater and tow hooks.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is available in the following exterior colors: Natural Green Metallic Clear Coat, Dark Charcoal Pearl Coat, Blackberry Pearl Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat (late availability).

The 2011 Jeep Patriot offers segment-leading capability with features such as low-range mode which generates a best-in-class 19:1 crawl ratio, brake traction control, 19-inch water fording capability, Hill-descent Control, 4×4 Lock shift-on-the-fly which sends 50 percent of torque to front and rear wheels, and a maximum tow rating of 2,000 lbs. The Jeep Patriot also boasts an upgraded suspension for 2011, with higher spring and damping rates, added rebound springs, and an increased diameter of the rear sway bar. Despite these numerous capability features, the 2011 Jeep Patriot boasts unsurpassed 4×4 fuel economy in its segment.

Jeep Patriot is available in three drivetrain configurations. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive system, Jeep Patriot also is available with Freedom Drive I™ and the Freedom Drive II® Off-Road Package.

Jeep Patriot’s powertrain is designed to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement, all at an affordable, entry-level price.

Jeep Patriot 4×4 features a standard 2.4-liter World Engine that produces 172-horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. This 2.4-liter World Engine has dual variable valve timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts, which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds and produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT.

Standard on the 2011 Jeep Patriot Sport two-wheel-drive model is a 2.0-liter World Engine that provides 158 horsepower (117 kW) and 141 lb.-ft. (191 N•m) of torque coupled with the continuously variable transmission (CVT2), and delivers 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Jeep Patriot also features a standard five-speed manual transaxle and an available CVT. The Patriot’s CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response and precise ratio control.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is available in three configurations: Sport, Latitude and Latitude X. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time, active 4×4 system and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time, active 4×4 system with low-range capability.