Updated 2009 Jeep Patriot On Sale

Editor's Note: Chrysler has stood by a September 1st embargo date for any information of its 2009 lineup. For the most part there are no significant changes to their models, outside of the 2009 Jeep Patriot and 2009 Jeep Compass which we talk about in the post below. We'll honor the embargo and only focus on the images uploaded by Jeep dealers. However, we're unsure why Chrysler wouldn't want to inform shoppers of their 2009 models when they are currently on sale to the public, in wide numbers. Especially, with so much hoopla around the changes being made by the company's top executives. We've also found new car inventory for other 2009s including the 2009 Dodge Caliber, 2009 Dodge Avenger, 2009 Chrysler Sebring and others. If you happen to wander into a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealership and see one of these cars we'd like to hear your story. Now on to the news.

Chrysler has been trying to promote the fact that it’s upgrading interiors in its vehicles over the next few years. One of the biggest knocks against recent Chrysler products, including from yours truly, has been their poor execution on the interiors. Some writers have even complained of getting cuts from the plastic used on certain models.

The first two models to get new interiors are the Jeep Patriot, which is one of Chrysler’s best-sellers, and the Jeep Compass, which is not. However, Chrysler hasn’t released any official information about the two models — no images, no pricing, no info on when they’d go on sale.

Now it doesn’t seem like they need to, as dealers across the country are already selling these revised models. Autoblog astutely found a few examples of 2009 Jeep Patriots for sale on Cars.com’s very own list of new-car inventory. We did some digging and found 253 brand-new 2009 Jeep Patriots for sale nationally in our inventory, ranging in price from $17,370 to $27,425. They’re for sale in many states, including Nebraska, Ohio, Colorado and others.

Below we’ve posted a gallery of some of the photos dealers have uploaded of the 2009 interiors, along with a shot of the 2008’s interior. It looks like the entire dashboard has been replaced, including the gauges — which was one aspect I liked about the 2008s. The circular vents and a new black center stack of controls look to be the biggest improvements, along with a new center console between the front seats. That used to be a major sore point to knuckles everywhere. Check them out below.

Comments

Kinda like the new dash...like the softer rounded edges. Not enough to make we want to buy one though. My neighbor has 08 Patriot (company car). He likes it 'cause it's free. Says he wouldn't buy one because of the cheap interior. Maybe this will be an improvement.

ziggy,
the patriot is one of the few Chrysler products I think has a unique place in the market. These interiors should help, but the Patriot is already selling well. I think leaving out the Caliber in the refresh is a mistake.

I don't know, although the quality looks better than before I kind of liked the silver look even if it was low quality.

what year is car? 1985. the gages are out of a dodge aries. and the seats look like they will shred easily. cheap cheap cheap. i guess thats how they make profit while every other american car company has losses.

Cheapy!! CHEAPY!! CHEAPY!!! learn from other car companies if you want to sell your cars!!

Still looks like junk to me.

That you morons can tell that from a couple of unprofessional low quality pictures makes Superman's vision seem myopic. Let's take a look in person, DSs! ...These vehicles at a base MSRP of about U$16k! are the lowest SUVs to operate and acquire currently available and as such could not be expected to have an upscale interior. LOL, YFIs!

I had a Patriot for a company car for 18 months and I don't miss it for one second. Once you get past the cheap interior, the sitting on a milk crate driving position, and the lack of overall quality, it's just another Chrysler rental car.

i ordered a 2009 and it now comes standard with cloth seats. it is also obvious they made other changes. the only thing that hasn't changed is the price. it is the exact same as the the 08. the only thing i hope changes, in addition is the wheels.

DT-
Read somewhere that the Caliber might be discontinued. If it survives then it will get refreshed also.

I owned on 07 pat, that was totalled, and now I own an 08. I love this car so much I bought 2, had a hard time finding the second but it was worth the search. The new interior looks like crap. The roundness of it does not match the rugged sporty look of the exterior, as for the compass that car is ugly and the new interior is perfect. People need to realize when you buy a jeep you are getting a utility vehicle, all the other suvs and cuvs out there are not made for the utility of these vehicles, which has been there trademark since they started out as war vehicles. A true jeep is meant to be driven off and on road, and well pretty danty interiors do not belong. If you buy a jeep its for its structure and usefulness not how cool the inside looks. The whole concept of this vehicle as retro styling and thats exactly what it was before the whininess of honda/toyota lovers for a softer interior ruined it. hopefully in years to come jeep finds it's way back to their root. Its a jeep thing, people.

jeep gal-

There is a difference between ruggedness and just being plan cheap. Many cars, including Jeep's own Commander or even the Grand Cherokee, are able to have a "rugged" interior with it still being good quality. All of the cheap looking, insubstantial, Matchbox car-like plastic is what is found in the Patriot, Compass, and the Liberty. The previous interor of the Patriot had a chintzy, echoey feel to it, with unappealing textures. Yes, Jeep's have plenty of utility (excl. Compass), but Cherystler has not taken enough steps to really make their lineup competitive with the segment leaders.

The next change for the entire Jeep lineup should be their engine/transmission choices. To be truly competitive, they need to scrap their CVT's and four-speed autos and put 6-speeds in every model. The four cylinder engines in the Patriot and COmpass are adequate, but they really could be more powerful and efficient at the same time. The 3.7L V6 engine should just be scrapped. 3.7's are easily capeable of making over 270 hp (ask VW). The addition of 60 more hp would make their cars much quicker and more fuel efficient. The two V8's are decent, but they still are not ass efficient as they could be.

the Grand Cherokee and Commander have the jeep name but are designed and geared towards those that think they want a jeep but want the flashiness of suvs of the like but just happens to wear the jeep name. The wrangler is an exceptional vehicle with out all the bells and whistles its simplicity is what makes it great. Compare the pat to the CR-V, RAV-4, and the Equinox/Vue/Whatever the name is of the pontiac clone; the pat has them bet hands down. Critics say the interior looks cheap but, all in all its durable. You can buy a car with plush interior but inevitably years down the road its going to look like sun damaged, discolored, cracked crap. I dont know what these critics are thinking but I get nothing but compliments on my jeep inside and out, not to mention these things are flying off car lots, because they are priced well below the competitors and they LOOK GOOD. Jeep went retro but it also went unique and most people being the sheep they are cant appreciate it. My sister owns an 08 altima the dash is some sort of rubbery concoction, but cause its a nissan its awesome, and dont get me started on toyota all there cars lexus included are made of cheap materials (interior and exterior) that look old and dated within just a few years, the main reason they sell so many units is cause people have to replace the crap they just bought. When it comes to convience (no need for armorall just wipe and go) as non-plushy as it might be I'd rather have my 08 pat.

There is absolutely nothing rugged about a Patriot, nor is there meant to be. It's a crossover. That's why they make them in 2WD; because the rugged mantra is no longer marketable in today's market. Try taking it "off road" and test its ruggedness.

Bowrider,
there is an off-road package available on the 4x4 Patriot and it is pretty darn capable. We've tested it.

I understand that it's capable, but it's no CJ-5. A Touareg is pretty capable too, but it's not meant to be rugged. The interior of the car shouldn't necessarily define its ruggedness. The point is that Chrysler isn't going to change the look of the interior to please the "its a Jeep thing" crowd. They've worn out their welcome and Chrysler would like to sell cars. The only "rugged" Jeep is a Wrangler and we all know you can option it with power windows now. Granted, the interior is still somewhat rudimentary, complimenting its off-road prowess.

I like the dash, at last an automaker who can make just a simple odometer, not some Star Trek stuff.

What?!?! 6-cyl and 8-cyl engines more efficient than a 4-cyl??? Somebody's been sniffing the fumes for too long. Just the added weight of of bigger engine can drop mpgs 10-20% not to mention the need for bigger cooling systems and heavier drivetrains to take the added HP. Sorry, no one has repealed Newtons laws of physics yet. If it puts out more hp, it burns more fuel and usually disproportionally at that.

There are also problems with just "swapping" transmissions as you say. Keep in mind that on a true 4x4 there is a transfer case with gearing for 2H, N, 4H and 4L that controls the power to the 2 axles. You can't just slap any old transmission in and expect it to work with a x-fer case.

You really need to get the facts before you just spout off like that. You really come off looking the putz.

Acctually, if two engines are normally aspirated, have the same dispacement, but one engine makes more HP than the other, it will have an easier time at moving the same vehicle that the other with lower HP.

jeep gal- you obviously have not been in the 08 Liberty.

Lots of Patriot bashers here. I've owned it since July, I travel the nation and it already has near 5,000 mi. (I'll have 36K by next July) I think its the best car I've ever owned. I drove from Madsion, WI through Chicago, to Indianapolis and got 28 MPG! I'd like to see that with a 6 cyl. I personally like the '08 interior because of the flat edges. Thinking of mounting a CB radio on one of them, who knows, cell phones are great, but some places don't have a signal (Esp the hills of KY). The transmission is great and I haven't ever had an issue with getting up to speed. I love accelerating up hill, watching other cars trying to keep up and can't. The LIFETIME power train warranty can't be beaten either. I intend on driving this thing into the ground. I'm still trying to drive an '89 Jeep Cherokee into the ground, beginning to think it can't be done! Keep in mind, if you don't maintain a vehicle, then it is the owner that is the moron, not the vehicle maker :-)

I am looking at getting a Patriot. I test drove it and think it is great! I like SUVs and this is perfect for me. Not too big, just the right size. I love to go camping and I want to do more of it. This vehicle is perfect like I said before. It is like with any car if the "OWNER" doesn't take care of it, it is not the car manufcaturer's fault. I have a 2000 Neon. I was told it is not a great car, "BUT" I know I haven't taken that great care of it "BUT" I just got a lot of work done to it. It runs good now. But I want a new car and this is my first and only choice. Plus it is made in the USA.

***manufacturer*** correction on the word.