2014 Jeep Patriot Latitude: A No-Fuss SUV [First Impression Review]

2014 Jeep Patirot
2014 Jeep Patriot

The 2014 Jeep Patriot Latitude has the Jeep look that fans love, and the utility that makes Jeep an off-road superstar. What the Patriot does not have is a lot of fussiness to complicate things for no reason. This is an SUV for the person who wants off-road capability, but has no interest in all the bells and whistles of an overly fancy thing, like say, a Land Rover.

The Patriot also has a very manageable price tag with the model we drove coming in at just $26,180. That’s a nice price point, and one that will get you into a good-sized SUV without requiring you to remortgage your house or sell your kids. The thing that really stands out about the Jeep Patriot, and about many Jeeps, is that they always look like they mean business.

There’s a sense when you look at that grille that it will not stand for anything blocking its path. Snowbanks? Dirt roads? This thing will laugh in the face of such obstacles because it has the goods to back up its looks. The inside continues the theme of a capable, no-nonsense vehicle with clean, uncomplicated lines and controls that are meaty and perfect for grabbing when you’ve got gloves on your hands.

It had storage everywhere you look for the random stuff we find in our pockets every day. You’ll have no lack of space for your phone, wallet and keys up front, and there’s plenty of cargo space in the back as well. The 2014 Jeep Patriot is ready for the drive to work, or a weekend off-road adventure.

As a no nonsense SUV with a pedigree that speaks to its off road capability and a price that will leave enough cash to actually get away for the weekend, the 2014 Jeep Patriot is a worthy choice.

Nicole Wakelin is a member of the New England Motor Press Association and writes for sites like Automotive IT News, Boldride, NerdApproved, and GeekMom and can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+