Accompanying the new Compass into showrooms this year will be the new five-passenger 2007 Jeep Patriot, a similar model with more traditional box-like styling and a true four-wheel-drive system that allows the Patriot to wear a “Trail Rated” badge. Power comes from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT) that produces 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Jeep, VVT enables the Patriot to offer more power, and better fuel economy than many of its competitors. The Patriot comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission; a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) is optional. The base price starts at about $16,000 and includes side-curtain airbags, second-row fold-flat seats, an auxiliary audio jack, and an exterior temperature gauge. For some extra coin buyers can opt for the Limited, which adds air conditioning, a host of typical power features, a 115-volt power outlet, and a folding front passenger seat.
