Jeep updates the Patriot

The facelifted Patriot only gets minor changes to its exterior, such as a new body-coloured grille, redesigned bumpers, new plastic cladding, standard fog lamps, new 17-inch wheels, lower rear bumper, and four new body colours to choose from. The 4x4 models have also been raised by one inch.

The interior, meanwhile, gets better quality materials, with soft touch plastics along with a new steering wheel with integrated audio/trip controls, and a new Uconnect Voice Command system which will be available for all models. Automatic climate control will be offered as standard on the top-of-the range model as well.

Jeep has also worked on the Patriot to give it better road manners, with a new steering system and a retuned suspension with higher spring / damping rates and a larger rear sway bar all combining to give the Patriot a better ride and handling setup.

Jeep's President and CEO, Mike Manley says, "For 2011, Jeep Patriot is even more appealing to consumers, thanks to rugged new exterior styling, interior enhancements and refinements to the suspension and steering systems."