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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Crossover, Jeep, Off-Road


The 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot are here, and as expected, the big news is the availability of a six-speed automatic transmission on certain models. The transmission, sourced from PowerTech (a subsidiary of Hyundai) will attempt to address the noise, vibration and harshness issues suffered by older CVT-equipped models by using noise-resistant gears. It has a long sixth gear to improve fuel economy, but Jeep hasn't revealed the mileage numbers for the auto-equipped models yet.

The new automatic will be available as an option on the Sport trim of both spec, and as standard on Latitude and Limited models. It can be had in front-wheel-drive versions or those equipped with the optional Freedom Drive I. It can't be specified with the Freedom Drive II, however, the full-time four-wheel-drive package with a low-range gear sticks with the unloved CVT2L Continuously Variable Transmission.

With their expected demises perhaps a year away, not much has changed otherwise. Engines are either the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque or the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 172 hp and 165 lb-ft, and the five-speed manual transaxle is still in the mix.

The Compass gets a catalog's worth of shiny trim pieces to mark its last year, including plated upper grille trim with a "mold-in-color Billet Silver grille texture," new headlight, fog light and taillight inner bezel treatments for the various trims, painted mirror caps, optional new 18-inch wheels for the Limited and an available backup camera. Inside are new trim options on the Latitude like a sport mesh and vinyl seat, and on the Limited, trims like Saddle Brown perforated leather seating. The Patriot gets no changes other than the addition of front seat-mounted airbags.

The price of the Patriot hasn't changed, sticking with an MSRP of $15,995 (plus $995 destination). The press release below doesn't mention the price of the Compass, so don't be shocked if it gets goosed a bit from the $19,495 MSRP of the 2013 model.

Stay tuned for live shots from the floor of the Detroit Auto Show later today. The two updated baby Jeeps will be in showrooms the second quarter of this year, and there's plenty of reading to be done in the official announcement below.Continue reading 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot get available PowerTech six-speed auto, modest changes
2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot get available PowerTech six-speed auto, modest changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.


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