"We could have been selling 100 to 130 a month, but instead could only sell what we could get, about 30 to 40 a month," said Chrysler Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins. "Now we have supply again we are looking to build the numbers up to about 150 a month," he said.

Patriot is an important vehicle for Jeep which needs to compete in the booming compact SUV market. In effect the launch of the upgraded Patriot was a relaunch - the first Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge launch - since problems beset the company as part of the GFC and the downturn in the North American motor industry. The company also used the launch to showcase changes to the iconic off-roader Jeep Wrangler made last year. Patriot gets an all-new interior which adds comfort and versatility. The NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) has also been improved with better insulation and an upgraded exhaust for a quieter ride.

Patriot comes with a 2.4 litre petrol engine linked to either a five speed manual or automatic CVT (continuously variable transmission) that has virtual six speed manual changer for those who prefer to change gears. Fuel economy from the manual variant is 8.4 litres/100 km, and 9.1 litres/100 km from the CVT. Emissions from the manual variant are 200 g/km and 216 g/km from the CVT. The engine puts out 125 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 220 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.

Jeep re-launched Patriot in north east Victoria near Alexandra in a combination of highway, bush track and off-road conditions. The wet weather ensured all roads were slippery, some tracks to the point of being more like an ice rink than a trafficable byways. These at times treacherous conditions could not have been better to test the all wheel drive systems aboard Patriot which passed the test with flying colours. One particular track saw both Patriot and Wrangler vehicles sliding laterally at slow speeds with not a bend in sight. A feather to the right pedal saw the vehicle's straighten and highlighted the asset all wheel drive brings to cars that encounter conditions like these from time to time. It was no place for two wheel drive. We later had the opportunity to test Patriot's off-road ability, in particular entry and exit angles as well as ramp-over.

In late 2008 Wrangler was upgraded including going to 17 inch alloys across the range, a standard tyre pressure warning system, a boost in torque from 410 Nm to 460 Nm in from the 2.8 litre CRD with auto transmission and a 3.73:1 axle ratio, replacing 4.10:1 on Sport models with auto transmission. At the same time Unlimited (four door) versions had their fuel tanks upgraded to 85 litre and dual tops were made standard on extreme off-road variants Rubicon and Rubicon Unlimited.