2008 Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot is one of the more affordable, if not the most affordable, sport-utility vehicle in North America.

It arrived on the scene in 2007 with its sibling, the Compass, but is considered more of an SUV than the Compass, which is considered more of a crossover.

They are both based on the same platform, which is also shared with the Dodge Caliber car.

So expect a very car-like ride from the Patriot.

Two four-cylinder engines are offered, a 2.0-liter with 158 horsepower and a 2.4-liter with 172 horsepower. These are connected to either a five-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The base Patriot is front-wheel drive. Two four-wheel-drive systems are optional.

The first is a mild system called Freedom Drive I that is mostly for on-road use.

The second, called Freedom Drive II, is better suited for some off-road use, able to better split torque between the front and rear axles.

The Patriot's advanced Electronic Stability Program, all-speed traction control, hydraulic brake assist and electronic roll mitigation all work together by applying selective wheel braking and engine throttle control to help maintain directional stability.

The front suspension has MacPherson struts while the back suspension is an independent multi-link arrangement.

Inside, the Liberty is available with stain-resistant fabric seats and leather seats (heated up front). The rear seats fold flat for better cargo-carrying versatility. Limited and Sport E-package models come with standard reclining rear seats for enhanced comfort.

Other interior amenities include a 458-watt Boston Acoustics audio system with fold-down liftgate speakers, power sunroof, UConnect Bluetooth cell-phone connectivity, satellite radio, DVD navigation system and more.