The Jeep Patriot offers off-highway capability in a compact SUV with a capable four-cylinder engine that gets good fuel economy. The suspension is stable and comfortable, and cargo capacity is useful because all the passenger seats can easily fold flat. Add the Patriot's prowess in ordinary driving, coupled with its distinct Jeep character, and it's an SUV that's at home in both rough and civilized environments. The Jeep Patriot is light and nimble on twisty roads. When maneuvering around town, turn-in is sharp. The body is well isolated from the wheels: You can hear the tires hitting expansion strips on the freeway, but you can't really feel the impact. The independent suspension works well. The Jeep Patriot delivers steadiness and comfort during a long day of driving on patchy two-lanes, hard-packed dirt roads, sandy off-road trails, shallow rivers, and deep gullies. A high seating position gives the Jeep Patriot driver a commanding view of the trail, the street, or the highway. A surprisingly comfortable driver's seat provides massive headroom, good thigh support, but so-so back support. Jeep Patriot features traditional Jeep styling cues: round headlights, seven-slot grille, boxy body shape, upright windshield and upright rear hatch. The Jeep Patriot's boxy shape translates to a more spacious feeling inside because the roof doesn't curl in. In addition, the vertical rear end allows more cargo inside and better sheds snow and ice in the winter. Safety features on all Patriot models include dual front airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, torso-protecting front-seat side-impact airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, and active front head restraints.