Comparison review: Eight compact SUVs

[ifcar]

$20,000 for four cylinders and four-wheel-drive (or all-wheel-drive); what will it get you?

Read the introduction to this comparison at the link below and check back throughout the week. A review will go up each day, starting from last place and working towards first.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC-Car-Examiner~y2009m4d12-Comparison-review-eight-compact-SUVs-Introduction


You can also check out two completed comparisons (small sedans and midsize sedans) if you haven't already seen them:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Car-Examiner~y2008m12d21-Comparison-review-seven-economical-sedans-Introduction

http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-Car-Examiner~y2009m2d8-Comparison-review-eight-midsize-sedans-Introduction

[CALL_911]

Where the hell do you find the time to do this kind of stuff in college? What do you major in?

[ifcar]

Where the hell do you find the time to do this kind of stuff in college? What do you major in?

Journalism.

Though I did all these test drives and wrote up most of the reviews during my spring break.

[Submariner]

Hmmm...I'm predicting a Chrysler product in 8th place.

[MrH]

McLovin', the amount of time you can put into these always shocks me.

[GoCougs]

McLovin', the amount of time you can put into these always shocks me.

It's an extended resume essentially, which is actually a pretty good idea for a college kid.

[ifcar]

There is that benefit, yes. Plus I enjoy doing it, and the fact that I also earn money from the site is extra encouragement.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Have the local dealerships not caught on to your little scheme yet?

[ifcar]

Have the local dealerships not caught on to your little scheme yet?

I try to mix it up, both for my own benefit (no questions about my motives) and so I'm not wasting the time/gas of the same place over and over again. DC is a big area, so I haven't had to visit many dealerships more than once and none more than twice that I can recall.

Plus, I'm starting to be able to arrange manufacturer test cars (first one stops by for a week's visit next week and another is scheduled for June), so with any luck I'll be able to graduate from the dealers before I piss them off too much. Though many automakers do require you to be 21 to get a press fleet car.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I try to mix it up, both for my own benefit (no questions about my motives) and so I'm not wasting the time/gas of the same place over and over again. DC is a big area, so I haven't had to visit many dealerships more than once and none more than twice that I can recall.

Plus, I'm starting to be able to arrange manufacturer test cars (first one stops by for a week's visit next week and another is scheduled for June), so with any luck I'll be able to graduate from the dealers before I piss them off too much. Though many automakers do require you to be 21 to get a press fleet car.

Oooo, press fleet cars! 

[CALL_911]

McLovin', the amount of time you can put into these always shocks me.

+1

[ifcar]

Eighth Place: 2009 Jeep Patriot Sport

When Chrysler asks for federal assistance to help it weather the recession, products like the Jeep Patriot seem to beg taxpayers to remind the automaker you reap what you sow.

The Patriot ? like the mechanically related Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass ? feels cheap and unrefined, giving the overwhelming sense that it was half-baked and halfheartedly designed...

Continued at link:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC-Car-Examiner~y2009m4d13-Comparsion-review-eight-compact-SUVs-eighth-place

[WookieOnRitalin]

Eighth Place: 2009 Jeep Patriot Sport



Continued at link:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC-Car-Examiner~y2009m4d13-Comparsion-review-eight-compact-SUVs-eighth-place

Not a shock. I've driven the Patriot, but obviously a base model is not going to treat you well enough in the cabin which can be quite harsh. The worst part about the Patriot is that moaning CVT. You can get used to it, but it does become a annoying. The plastics needed to get improved and they did for 2009, but other competitors materials in the class are still better. Still, if this comparison was based on off-road capability, the Jeep would probably finish 2nd behind the Suzuki in terms of capability. A place where ride and engine noise really do not mean a damn. In this regard, it remains a Jeep. My guess is that if it makes a 2nd generation that the redesign will get enhancements to improve refinement and on-road manners probably taking cues from the new GC.

iffy, glad to see you do a review of these vehicles. This is my favorite vehicle class and I've driven all of these vehicles. I'll be interested to see if your opinion matches mine.

[ifcar]

iffy, glad to see you do a review of these vehicles. This is my favorite vehicle class and I've driven all of these vehicles. I'll be interested to see if your opinion matches mine.

Likewise.

[Vinsanity]

1. Hyundai Tucson. or Kia Sportage.

[Eye of the Tiger]

1. CRV (based on a 20-second parking lot test drive)

[SVT666]

1. 2001 Ford Focus ZX3

[Submariner]

Eighth Place: 2009 Jeep Patriot Sport



Continued at link:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1017-DC-Car-Examiner~y2009m4d13-Comparsion-review-eight-compact-SUVs-eighth-place

Ha!  Called it!

(not that my guess called for a lot of thinking)

[ifcar]

1. Hyundai Tucson. or Kia Sportage.

That would be difficult, because they don't sell a 4-cylinder AWD/4WD version with an automatic transmission.

[Vinsanity]

That would be difficult, because they don't sell a 4-cylinder AWD/4WD version.

sure they do...

http://www.carsdirect.com/build/options?zipcode=92807&acode=USB90KIS012A0&restore=false

[ifcar]

sure they do...

http://www.carsdirect.com/build/options?zipcode=92807&acode=USB90KIS012A0&restore=false

I forgot to say include "automatic transmission" in that list. And good luck finding even the manual version anywhere.

[SVT666]

I didn't even know they built cars with crank windows anymore.

[the Teuton]

I didn't even know they built cars with crank windows anymore.

Crank windows rock.

And I am predicting a 3rd place finish for the Forester.

[ifcar]

Crank windows rock.

And I am predicting a 3rd place finish for the Forester.

Interesting, behind what?

[SVT666]

Crank windows rock.

And I am predicting a 3rd place finish for the Forester.

Crank windows suck.  Why would I lean all the way across the car and gear shift to clumsily unwind the passenger door window when I could just push a button on my door?

[2o6]

Interesting, behind what?

Rogue?

[NomisR]

I want to say Ford Escape for #1 based on Price and space, but it might get docked points for fuel economy.  So it can be Forrester or Rav4. 

[the Teuton]

1 Toyota
2 Ford
3 Subaru
4 Honda

...I think.

[2o6]

1. Ford
2. Honda
3. Subaru
4. Nissan
5. Toyota
6. Saturn
7. Suzuki?
8. Jeep

[ifcar]

1. Ford
2. Honda
3. Subaru
4. Nissan
5. Toyota
6. Saturn
7. Suzuki?
8. Jeep

Saturn doesn't make a 4-cylinder AWD vehicle.