In the competitive segment of small SUV's there are a lot of different reasons to choose one over the next.

Compact SUV's need to be versatile, efficient, cost effective and comfortable.

The Patriot is all of those, though some more than others.

Comfort wise, the car has decently supportive seats and the ride is a nice balance of smoothness. Armrests, dash and trim panels however, are as hard as plastic can be. add that to the singular nature of Jeep and you have an issue. for 2009 and I think 2011 there were interior improvements to add more soft touch material.

Cost wise, this model is in the lower section on the used market. regular maintenance is inexpensive and my personal experience has been great with repairs (or lack thereof)

Efficiency is moderate. The North could have either a 2.0L or a 2.4L 4 Cylinder engine as well as two or four wheel drive. Mine is a 2.0L 4x2 and has had decent gas mileage for the size of car, though slightly worse than fuel guide estimates.

Versatility is where it shines. 60/40 rear seat with a fold flat front seat plus optional roof rails have made this little SUV able to carry canoes, bikes, snowboard and more anywhere I have wanted to go.

Also important is the power. Either 4-cylinder engine provides ample power and is mated to a CVT II transmission. This drivetrain takes some getting used to and does not have the same pick-up you may expect from a car with 150+ horsepower. Once accustomed to the transmission, it is easy to get the RPM’s up when you need them to actually feel some acceleration.

The North package seemed to be most common providing the A/C, Power windows and locks, electronic stability program as well as those folding seats previously mentioned and was in the middle of the levels of options. The other 2 packages were the Sport and the Limited.

Overall, the Patriot isn't the best in the category, but at the price point, it is hard to find a much better value.