July 22, 2008

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Despite high gas prices and general economic uncertainty, many consumers are still in need of sport utility vehicles and are looking for the best values in the marketplace. A study by Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, reveals that the Jeep Patriot is the least expensive sport utility vehicle to own. The results are based on Edmunds.com’s True Cost to OwnSM data, which incorporates projected model-specific average vehicle ownership costs, consisting of depreciation, financing, taxes, fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance and repairs. Edmunds.com’s True Cost to OwnSM data accounts for total vehicle costs over a five-year period.

“Even though gas prices are high, some consumers are still in search of a sport utility vehicle to meet their needs,” said Jesse Toprak, Executive Director of Industry Analysis, Edmunds.com. “For those consumers, vehicles like the Jeep Patriot and Nissan Rogue are relative bargains in their segments.”

Much More Here: True Cost to Own ratings at Edmunds

The following True Cost to OwnSM data is based on a price of $4.09 per gallon for regular gasoline (the national average on July 15):

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Rick

Nitro Year: 2007 (July 07 Build Date)
Nitro Model: R/T
Nitro Drivetrain: 4x4
Nitro Color: Stone White
Fully-Equipped w/all factory options