Jeep Patriot

I wanted to post this one ages ago, but forgot all about it until posted [link] .

The car is a 2011 Jeep Patriot, basically the entry-level Jeep (together with the Compass, which uses the same platform but is way uglier). Not an Alfa Romeo, but of course it's all Fiat now, so it's okay in my book. This particular one is a Euro-spec version, with four-wheel drive and a 2.2 L common-rail diesel engine (sourced from Mercedes Benz). It's not a true off-roader, but it will run circles around any A4 allroad in the dirt.

My family often needs to drive up in the Harz mountains during the winter, which includes steep, windy roads that can quickly fill up with snow.. Nothing that a normal car can't handle (assuming the driver isn't a moron), but four-wheel drive and higher ground clearance give safety - and additional options for finding parking spaces, because many of them are filled with snow piles that a normal car can't get on top of.

Driving-wise, it's not an Alfa Romeo. It can accelerate surprisingly well, if you really want to, but it's most happy cruising at a medium speed range. Fuel economy is way better than in my car, but the trunk is really almost the same size. It does have very good rear seats, though.

In terms of looks, I really like it. This looks like a true SUV. Not like some lifestyle thing that tries to blend the look of normal car and SUV and ends up with a dung beetle (Audi Q7, I'm looking at you). And in the evening sun on an unpaved field road in Oker, it makes for nice pictures.