The Patriot hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP but it comes with a good level of safety kit including side-curtain airbags, driver and passenger front airbags and electronic programmes to control stability, braking and roll mitigation all fitted as standard. The anti-lock braking system reverts to a special operating mode when the transmission is locked into four-wheel drive.

Doors lock automatically at 10mph but in the event of an accident, they are unlocked, interior lighting is switched on and fuel supply to the engine is cut off.

The Patriot is designed as a family-friendly vehicle and there are some useful touches including a washable boot floor and reclining rear seats. The boot itself offers 536 litres of luggage room – that’s not far short of a Ford Mondeo estate, while folding down the rear seats (which almost flatten down) boosts this to an impressive 1277 litres. The front passenger seat backrest can also be folded down to carry longer items.