Although Cherokee was replaced by the Liberty- a more curved doe-eyed Jeep-on-Prozac in 2001, Patriot now shares its platform with a Jeep's attempt to satisfy an ardent demand for a car with Jeep styling cues.

The Patriot gets a 2.4-liter four that generates 165 lb-ft of torque at a high 4400 rpm, and mated to the five-speed manual standard. More befitting is the optional 2.0-liter four--CVT Only—which is slightly more fuel efficient.. With a manual gearbox, the 2.4 gets the same fuel economy rating as the 2.0-liter. The Patriot Jeep competes with its rivals the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, looking far more like a tough-guy off-roader. Its flat expanse of hood make you feel as though you're more in a truck than minivan.

And while it isn't particularly fun to drive on-road, the Patriot is the most capable compact SUV in its class when it comes to driving in mud. This Jeep claims good quality ride and competitive dynamics that are miles ahead of the Wrangler and the Cherokee. With side curtain air bags, stability control, and a CD player with MP3 capability, plus the five-speed manual and the 2.4-liter engine, the two-wheel-drive Sport at $14,985 appears pretty cheap too.