dbwest

Hi all. I am considering buying either a 2007 Patriot Trail Rated Off-Road version or a 2009 Subaru Forester. I am replacing a venerable 1999 Isuzu Trooper (which is now being retired) which my better half and I did a lot of outdoor stuff. Used the 4WD for a lot hilly and mountain washboard, rutted roads, somtimes moderate or short off-road stretches. Because of gasoline I didn't go with a Jeep Wrangler Limited Rubicon, FJ Cruiser or Xterra which would have been perfect except for the gas. So I am trying to find a compromise vehicle that has some off-road, MPG and cargo room. I have an opportunity to get good deals on both.
I have tested driven both extensively. The Subaru handles well on the road, you get more of the car benefits, a little more cargo, more comfort and it does seem to have some off road capability.

My big question is the Forester's off-road capability?

How do you think it would compare to a Jeep Patriot Trail Rated 4WD with its off road package.

GodWhomIsMike

GodWhomIsMike

videos:

guroove

^^^^ Interesting response! I never really thought of the Forester as a great off road vehicle, but the '09s have more ground clearance than my '05 does. I'm sure the Forester kicks the pants off the Patriot on the road, but the Jeep may have a slight edge on the Forester off road.

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2005 Obsidian Black Pearl XT w/4eat

wagn

imho

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Jeff 06'FXT

YoGeorge

The Impreza, in WRX rally trim, shows how tough these things are; I don't think that the Patroit/Caliber/Compass chassis is inherently as proven in tough use as the Subarus are.

Not sure what kind of ground clearance the Patriot has compared to the Foz, or what kind of tires the off-road package gets you, but getting some gnarly tires on the Foz should make it into quite a wonderful mountain goat. And I'd bet 200k miles on a Forester should be a lot less eventful than 200k on a Chrysler/Jeep product (although the Jeep now has a lifetime powertrain warranty?)

George

huck_this

Forester hands down. The North American car makers have really old technology compared to Japanese mfg's.

Jeep Patriot Trail Rated 4WD at the garage often and the Forester, well reliable.

AWD and 4WD aren't the same. I saw that this winter. Full size pick-up was stuck in a small snow drift. I just plowed through.

The reason why i like my Forester!!!

Forester Drifting - Video

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2001 L 5 spd, Borla header, custom exhaust.

TheEmrys

Check out our Off Road Section. Great info. I was just looking into a tough Jeep area, and I'm getting good response. Clearance and tire-shredding are my concerns. As long as you know your clearance and are okay going with upgraded off-road tires (General Grabber AT2's seem to be very popular), you should be fine.

As far as trails and soft-roading, you should be fine.

Subyroo

I'm quite sure when Kevin returns from his current trip up north (Nthn Australia) he will reply and may even post up a piccy or 2 of his trip to the "pointy end" (Cape York) of Australia.

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Peter

MY03 XS 5SP White/Metallic Grey "Casper"

wagn

The op asked about "off road performance". Yes we are a proud lot and I would not trade my Foz for a Jeep. When I'm offroad, deep into some rough stuff, hill decent braking and low range automatic plus other stuff like that get important real quick.

My Forester has seen some wicked stuff with little regrets. When I desire to go deeper like Black Bear road into Telluride. I go rent a Jeep.

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Jeff 06'FXT

BAC5.2

I am constantly impressed with how well my Forester handles just about everything. It just keeps going.

I'd rather get a Liberty OR edition than a Patriot though. I've seen some really sweet Liberty's in the past.

At one point, every Jeep on the market was capable of running the Rubicon. I don't know if that's the case anymore, and "trail rated" is a constantly ridiculed moniker. On that note, I would be nervous to run the Rubi in my Forester. I could probably do it, but not nearly as well as a Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited.

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The Aggressive™
09 SWP Outback 2.5XT 5MT
RIP Edwin

funkymonkey1002

I wouldn't bother with the patriot if you want it for offroad use, it won't really do any better than the forester in offroad. Neither are true offroad vehicles, but either one would do pretty decently offroad with the right tires. I think the forester would be a better choice as you will be much happier with it anytime you are on the road. The forester is perfectly at home on dirt/access roads.

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04FXT/4EAT Snorkus Free, WRX suspension, sti up, prodrive ypipe, rota/falken/racingbrake/hawk

funkymonkey1002

The newer jeeps are almost all a joke, most are just rebadged dodge models, and the new patriot trail rated uses a CVT (no thanks). I miss the days of fully solid axle, body on frame jeeps!

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04FXT/4EAT Snorkus Free, WRX suspension, sti up, prodrive ypipe, rota/falken/racingbrake/hawk

JCT

The Patriot resembles a Cherokee but does not have solid axles so don't be fooled. The XJ Cherokee that was retired in 2001 had a unibody chassis with solid axles. The Wranglers have always had a steel frame and solid axles. Either are very very good off road. The Patriot may well do everything you want it to, but if you want to go rock crawling or doing any more difficult off road trails then Neither the Patriot or Forester are the way to go.

Forester/Patriot simply aren't heavy duty off road vehicles. They are road vehicles with good mild off road capabilities. If your off road interests are confined to dirt roads and trails that aren't too rough then either would be great - though I obviously would lean toward the Forester :)

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Life is a Skill

BAC5.2

Really? I'm anti CVT. It's the least fun an automobile could possibly be. Until a real, good, performance oriented CVT comes around, I'll pass.

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The Aggressive™
09 SWP Outback 2.5XT 5MT
RIP Edwin