Safety
The Patriot's Latch connectors were wedged between the seat cushions and a little tough to access, but with some elbow grease they were doable. The seat belt buckle receptors were on stable bases, making it easy for kids using booster seats to buckle on their own. The lack of legroom in the second row would make it difficult to fit a rear-facing child-safety seat in the backseat; however, a forward-facing convertible car seat should fit easily.
The Patriot has all of the standard safety features you'd expect to find, including antilock brakes, electronic stability control and traction control. It also has front-impact airbags for the front row and side curtain airbags for both rows. However, the Patriot doesn't have standard side-impact airbags for the front row. They're available as part of the $1,235 Security and Cargo Convenience Package. Without the side-impact airbags, the Patriot received a score of Marginal in side-impact crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. With the side-impact airbags, the Patriot scored the top score of Good.
My test car also came equipped with the $825 Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package, which includes four-wheel-drive off-road mode, an extra inch of ground clearance and hill descent control. I tried the hill descent control with a friend of mine who's a professional driver, and ... it works! Although, she commented about the "strange, chunky, hollow sound" it makes, much like the noise you'd hear when ABS kicks in.
FAMILY LIFESTAGE
In Diapers: Rear seats are behind the times and don't slide front and back to make room for a rear-facing infant-safety seat.
In School: Tight legroom is tricky for little ones with backpacks to maneuver.
Teens: Make sure to opt for the optional side-impact airbags if you're going to put a teen driver behind the wheel.
See also:
Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped
This Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors,
liftgate, liftgate flipper glass, and ignition for unauthorized
operation. When the alarm is activated, the interior
switches for door loc ...
Key-Off Power Delay
When this feature is selected, the power window
switches, radio, hands–free system (if equipped), DVD
video system (if equipped), power sunroof (if equipped),
and power outlets will remain act ...
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
• Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal ...