The Jeep Patriot offers off-highway capability in a compact SUV with a capable four-cylinder engine that gets decent fuel economy. The suspension is stable and comfortable, and cargo capacity is useful because all the passenger seats can easily fold flat. The interior updates for 2011 have improved the cabin greatly.

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Sam Moses filed this report from Scottsdale, Arizona, with correspondents Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago and G.R. Whale from Los Angeles.