The package also includes hill descent control, a 1-inch higher ground clearance, skid plates and additional body sealing elements to earn its Trail Rated badge. My test Patriot was equipped with this 4WD package. The Freedom Drive I all-wheel drive system is otherwise standard in four-wheel drive versions, the same as under the Compass.

The day before returning the Patriot to Chrysler, I was planning on taking it for a stroll down my favourite off-road trail, located a few kilometres away from my house and an ideal spot for testing a four-wheel drive vehicle's capabilities. Unfortunately, the entrance of the trail was barricaded, so I couldn't go. However, the Compass managed pretty well down that very trail last year, and I firmly believe that the Patriot with the Freedom Drive II setup would have performed better than its urban brother.

A must for the off-road lovers.

Trail Rated or not, this Patriot drives pretty much like a Compass. It's got the same smooth ride, but it can't confront twisty roads as quickly, because there's a little more body roll; blame the higher center of gravity.

The 172-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine is still on duty, and does its job, but it will never be applauded for its rather ordinary soundtrack. The engine lacks a little refinement and, coupled with the CVT, becomes very noisy under acceleration. I prefer the 5-speed manual transmission, which better exploits the 4-cylinder and works well; the clutch is light and the gear shifting is precise.

My fuel economy average is 11.8 L/100 km. That's not bad, but it's not impressive either. The manual-transmission models should perform better. In addition, the fuel tank holds only 51 litres, which limits the vehicle's range between fill-ups.

Cockpit
Inside, you can see right away where Chrysler did its cost-cutting: wide expanses of hard plastic, either in front or in the cargo area. The symmetric dashboard is designed to accept the steering wheel on the right side for sale in Europe at virtually no extra cost.

Dashboard material quality is somewhat deceiving.