The Patriot is one of the less-known Jeep nameplates that have a (relatively) small, but loyal fan-base. Off the road, this SUV is quite impressive and it’s more than capable of handling the toughest muddy trails, rocky mountains, and sandy creeks. Now, while it was discontinued in 2017 (despite pretty decent sales numbers), the Patriot still has strong support from aftermarket gear manufacturers.
And, hands down, one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve its powertrain is to invest in a cold intake kit. The Best cold air intake for Jeep Patriot will give a nice increase in performance, including horsepower, torque, mileage, and acceleration, along with a boost in airflow. After three weeks of real-world testing, I picked the following systems for my list. Go ahead and check them out!
Best Cold Air Intake for Jeep Patriot (Updated April, 2024)
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1. K&N – Best Cold Air Intake for Jeep Patriot
The one thing that pretty much every single factory intake system lacks is a proper sound. This is done deliberately to dull down the screaming tones and make the interior noise-free. On the other hand, if you mostly use the Patriot for off-roading, and not for family-friendly trips, you’ll definitely appreciate the roaring characteristics of the K&N air intake kit. It’s vastly superior to the stock gear when it comes to air filtration/flow.
As a result, the engine gets loud enough to scare away all the birds, dogs, and cats in the neighborhood. Plus, thanks to the performance-oriented design, this cold air intake system gives acceleration a nice boost, making the Patriot feel a lot more responsive. The gains in HP and torque are also pretty decent. Sadly, you won’t see any big improvements in fuel efficiency, but that’s the only major con.
Better acceleration, more horsepower and torque, and a mighty engine sound – that’s what you’ll get with the K&N air intake kit. The gains in MPG (miles per gallon) aren’t very impressive, though. Still, as a reasonably-priced aftermarket upgrade for the Patriot, it will be worth every single penny.
2. AEM – Best Cold Air Intake System for 2.4 Jeep Patriot
If you’re the proud owner of the 2.4-lit Patriot, AEM’s intake might be exactly what the doc ordered. It’s available in two different colors – chrome and charcoal – and is fully designed, developed, and dyno-tested on the American roads for optimal efficiency. It boasts a premium-quality, aerodynamic, and mandrel-bent intake tube that adds up to 15 HP and torque. Plus, it improves the mileage, saving the driver money in the long run.
You can expect to get an extra 1-2MPG of fuel efficiency – a pretty decent boost. The installation process won’t cause you any trouble, either. However, while the package does include installation instructions (and that’s a good thing), they aren’t very clear or specific. So, you might be better off following your own guide. Other than that, AEM did a fantastic job with this kit.
You won’t be disappointed by AEM’s cold air intake system. It doesn’t have any significant downsides and provides a performance increase in all directions. HP, torque, mileage, and airflow – it’s all a part of the deal. And, this is a 100% US-made product, with excellent performance in the cold and in the heat.
3. Spectre Performance – Best Performance Air Intake for 2.0L Jeep Patriot 2014
If this is your first aftermarket gear and you’re a bit hesitant about the whole installation/mounting process, pay extra attention to Spectre. This company specifically designed the air intake to be a perfect fit for the Jeep Patriot. All you’ll have to do is carefully align it with the stock mounting points/holes, and that’s it. On top of that, this is one of the least expensive cold intake systems on the market.
Add a strong, efficient, washable, and reusable filter that stops even the smallest contaminant particles and you’ll get a safe bet. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll probably encounter some quality control issues. It won’t be anything major, of course, but the package may lack some bolts, couplers, clamps – stuff like that.
Affordable cold air intakes are always in great demand, and with Spectre, you’ll get not only a low-budget price but also a high-quality air kit. It is very easy to install (the process takes +/- two hours) and includes a high-grade air filter that protects the engine from overheating.
Buyer’s Guide
Cold air intakes are one of the least expensive and most beneficial performance upgrades, especially for an off-roading truck or SUV. They squeeze all the juices out of the engine while protecting it from temperature extremes and contaminants. Before you start shopping for a new air kit, take a quick look at my guide to learn how these systems work and what you should go for to get the best bang for your buck.
The Air Filter
Many experts (and regular drivers) believe that the filter is the most important part of any air intake kit. The reason: it keeps contaminants from damaging the engine. When you hit the road (especially uncharted trails), dust, pollen, dirt, debris, and even tiny bugs get into the motor – the combustion chamber, to be exact. That, in turn, can lead to overheating and engine failure that cost quite a lot to fix.
The good news is – most aftermarket cold air intakes come with built-in filters. However, they’re not all that great. So, when scrolling through various offers, make sure the filter has at least three layers. The best ones feature five layers of protective media that trap contaminants and keep them from passing through. Oiled filters have proven to be more effective than their dry counterparts; plus, they last longer and are easier to clean.
The Intake Tube
And what about the tubing – isn’t it the main component of air intakes? Well, yes, it is: the intake tube does all the heavy lifting and maximizes the airflow inside of the engine bay. Without proper tubing, you won’t see any significant improvements in air filtration and flow. The finest units are mandrel-bent and built from high-grade aluminum (steel, plastic, and rubber can also be efficient).
Engineering plays a key role as well. Depending on the manufacturing quality, the tube can be rust-proof, cold-resistant, up to 50% more effective than the factory setup. Now, if you don’t want to remember all of that, just take a quick look at the specs. If you see that it’s an aerodynamic tube crafted from lightweight, durable aluminum, then you probably should put it on the list of must-haves.
Compatibility
Alright, so, you like the filter and the intake tube. Compatibility comes next. But how do you know that the intake kit will “go along” with your Patriot? The best way to ensure perfect fitment is to check the compatibility chart. You’ll find it on official websites and even at online stores. It’s very important that the cold intake system fits your exact vehicle – the engine, model, year, wheelbase, trim, and more.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with a product that simply doesn’t fit (and is, therefore, useless). Or, the installation process will turn into one big headache and you’ll have to spend hours, if not days, trying to make it work. Calling a mechanic can also be an option, but they usually charge a lot. Again: make sure there are no issues with compatibility. The best thing you can do is buy a vehicle-specific cold air intake that was designed for the Patriot.
And if the company claims it’s going to be a bolt-on, direct installation, most likely, the whole replacement slash mounting process won’t take more than 1-2 hours.
Powertrain Gains
As we already learned throughout this review, the finest air intake kits provide a significant performance improvement. First of all, check how much extra airflow you’ll get. The more oxygen flowing through the engine, the cooler it will be. The increased combustion usually leads to a decent boost in HP (10-15) and torque (15-20, depending on the vehicle).
Better towing, hauling, uphill performance, and acceleration will be a part of the deal as well, along with improved mileage. With towing/hauling, it would be best to get behind the wheel and test the Patriot out – that’s when you’ll really feel the positive changes. As for fuel efficiency, 1-2 extra MPG is a great result. If you’re really lucky, you might even get 3-4 additional miles per gallon, but, again, this happens rather rarely.
Conclusion
A premium-quality cold air intake can do a lot more than just boost the airflow. When equipped with a filter, it’s quite effective against debris and dust – one of the biggest issues for any off-roading vehicle’s engine. And that’s not even the best part: if you purchase the right kit that goes well with the Patriot, it will give you a comprehensive performance boost. I’m talking about extra HP, torque, and acceleration, along with mileage.
Today, we checked out my top-three cold air intake systems for the Patriot SUV. We talked about their pros, cons, pricing, best fitment, and more. And in the Buyer’s Guide, I introduced you to the key points to consider before paying for a new kit. So, use this information wisely, and enjoy your new air intake!
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