Jeep is an iconic brand that has become the default name for all SUVs. The American manufacturer has a certain kudos that people want but can’t always afford to buy into. That looks set to change as the new Jeep Compass is yours for just €33,995.
The four-wheel-drive Compass has all the Jeep trademarks like the seven-slot grille, round headlights and of course a few curves and bulges that make the car appear beefy and tough. The mid-sized five-seater comes in just one specification that is comprehensive and even includes leather seats.
Compass is built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Outlander but unlike the Japanese car Compass does not have a two-wheel-drive only selector. The five-door SUV is sure to tempt many an urban warrior as it is powered by an economical and fairly green 140bhp, 2-litre turbo-diesel engine sourced from Volkswagen (again like Outlander).
Jeep knows it is going to have to reduce its CO2 output across the range and this engine helps bring down average emissions. All Jeeps are fall four-wheel-drive and Compass, despite being designed with the city in mind, remains true to the ideal.
Compass uses ‘Freedom Drive 1’ (not to be confused with Freedom Fries!). This four-wheel-drive system delivers a bias towards front-wheel-drive in normal use to improve handling and fuel consumption, but when extra traction is needed at the rear the car automatically diverts a greater proportion of power to the rear axle.
In reality you will not want to take the Compass too far off road as the ride height and bodywork aren’t set high enough for true off-roading but you can select four-wheel-drive ‘lock’, which locks the centre coupling for maximum traction in more tricky situations.
Compass has a rounded exterior and quite a low set front making it look like a true crossover SUV that fudges the line between the car and SUV sector. The Jeep badges are the most important exterior design feature in my eyes. Standard 18-inch alloys really look the part and fill out the arches nicely.
Inside Compass you’ll find all the usual ‘Chrysler group’ switchgear, so expect to find buttons in less than instinctive places! The leather trim is comfortable and the driving position quite good but the steering wheel only adjusts for tilt and the windscreen is not the largest so taller drivers might find the driving position challenging.
Rear legroom is good but the seat bench is not the widest although strangely this makes getting out of the back easier. Six airbags are standard as is ESP (electronic stability control) and ERM (electronic roll mitigation).
Unlike Jeeps of old Compass has a sophisticated independent suspension set up designed with tarmac in mind. Compass rolls a little on the twisty bits and has a tendency to under-steer through bends but not in an alarming way. Manual versions are on sale now with an automatic coming later this year. Compass pulls well also, with 310nm of torque on tap.
Jeep has 65 years of heritage behind it and is on a roll at the moment with more new Jeep launches to come before the year is out. Any Jeep at this price is well worth a closer look.
Michael Sheridan
