Jeep Patriot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specifications: No, it’s not named after Tom Brady or a bad Mel Gibson movie; it’s just a low-priced Jeep crossover that offers all-weather ability in an ungainly box shape. There are two four-cylinder engines ranging from 158 hp to 172 hp with front- or all-wheel drive; a five-speed manual is standard and a six-speed auto or a CVT are optional. The Patriot is not much fun to drive, but it gets decent fuel economy and is one of the cheaper crossovers sold. Still, there are better vehicles in the segment

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specifications: The Grand Cherokee SRT is an exercise in overkill if ever there was one, but its sports-car levels of grip and roaring Hemi muscle make it an all-season performance powerhouse. The 475-hp 6.4-liter V-8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic and a five-mode all-wheel-drive system. The steering is quick but feels more disconnected from the road than it should be, given its sporting intentions. Regardless, the GC SRT will hustle around a track ASAP in a way that will have you forgetting it’s an SUV.

Jeep Compass

Specifications: More Jeep-like than Jeep-tough, this car-based crossover is built to conquer the Krispy Kreme drive-thru even when faced by speed bumps, light snow or—with available all-wheel drive—both. Base models get a 158-hp 2.0-liter four standard with a five-speed manual and optional six-speed auto; a 172-hp 2.4-liter and six-speed auto are available. Hardly a beauty, the Compass is roomy and useful within its modest limitations. It’s also uninteresting to drive, so it’s easy to trade in at lease’s end.