We looked at 1 Trail Rated Patriot. There are definitely differences. It had skid plates, tow hooks, and more clearance, low crawl mode. We went with a non-trail rated because I found one with really low miles, and the Trail Rated ones are definitely not common.
The Trail Rated ONLY comes with the CVT. It has the Freedom II 4-wheel package versus the Freedom I we got.
I would not fear the CVT. There are a gazillion of these on the road with the CVT. It was tuff enough for rental fleet and the Trail Rated Patriot. Most people with these things just put gas in them and maybe hit jiffy lube one a blue moon. Learn how to maintain your CVT. I believe you can even buy an aftermarket dipstick for it to keep an eye on the fluid. Stay ahead of the fluid change schedule and it will do fine.
Some other Patriot observations since we are on it.
Patriots day to day are a front-wheel drive SUV. This is really different than the Liberty, which is a front weighted rear-wheel drive SUV. It does not slip and spin like the Liberty does when it first starts to rain or the road is a little wet. Front wheel drive really gets better traction for day to day driving. That is one huge difference in how both drive.
Maintenance on the Patriot is a breeze. Easiest spark plug change car ever (and they like basic copper plugs every 30K like the Liberty). My daughter even did the plugs herself (with my supervision).
Forums -- maybe over time it will improve, but with the people around here that have modified, lifted, and maintained their Liberty's, the fund of knowledge here is way higher. They people here really make this forum a great gift.
