Jeep Compass

Exterior and Interior

The first time we laid our eyes on the Jeep Compass, we too were smitten. It’s got the macho, get-out-of-my-way look spot on. The wide snout, the typical seven slat grille and those squared off wheel arches mean business, surely. There are some modern elements thrown in too, including projector headlamps, daytime running lamps and LED elements in the taillamps. We particularly like the little details such as the chrome strip running along the roof and Easter eggs like the lizard under the wiper and the Loch Ness monster on the rear windscreen. Pick the Compass in an eye-popping shade such as blue or red, and you’d enjoy quite a few stares on the road!

Here’s a downer right at the outset. If you thought the Compass must be a palatial SUV based on how big it looks on the outside, prepare to be a bit underwhelmed. While width isn’t an issue, the rear knee room isn’t all that great. In terms of equipment, you get quite a bit, including climate control, a touchscreen audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers. Weirdly, some features we expect at this price point - such as electric seats, a sunroof and cruise control - have been skipped. What’s standard, is a rock-solid build quality. In terms of safety, you get dual airbags, ABS with EBD, panic brake assist, electronic stability control and traction control as standard. The top-spec 4x4 variant gets the additional safety net of side and curtain airbags.

Specifications

The Jeep Compass is can be had with a petrol or a diesel engine. The petrol motor is a 1.4-litre turbocharged unit that’s good for 163PS of power and 250Nm of torque. You can have this engine with a 6-speed manual transmission in the lower variants, or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic in the top-spec Limited model. Fiat’s acclaimed 2.0-litre Multijet II engine is your second option. With 172PS of power and 350Nm of torque on tap, the diesel Compass can be quite a hoot. The diesel-powered SUV is also available with 4x4 tech, with drive modes for snow, sand and mud. Notably, there’s no diesel automatic variant yet, but that’s set to change with the introduction of the Compass Trailhawk, which should bring with it a 9-speed automatic.

Variants

The Compass is available in three variants - Sport, Longitude and Limited. There are two more optional variants based on the top two variants. While the diesel engine is available across variants, the petrol engine is available in the base and top variant only. Notably, it’s only the diesel variant that gets optional 4x4 in the Limited variant. We’d recommend the Longitude if you aren’t keen on spending a lot for an SUV, and the Limited 4x2 if you know you won’t be mucking about.

Competitors

Tata Hexa: Tata has been putting out some amazing cars lately and the Hexa is no exception. The stylish new SUV is a head turner for sure. It is superbly built and refined. The smaller footprint also helps it while manoeuvring in the city.

Hyundai Creta: The Hyundai Creta might be a vanilla package, but that doesn’t stop it from being a potent one. It’s got the mix of looks, features and drivability, ensuring thousands of prospective owners thronging Hyundai’s showrooms every month. The waiting periods can get annoying though, so be warned!

Mahindra XUV500: Like most Mahindra vehicles, the XUV offers a lot for the money. Quality is a bit of a hit or a miss, and there are known niggles too. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Mahindra’s big boy is a well-packaged SUV for those who love munching miles.

ZigSays

If that Jeep badge tugs at your heart, the Compass is currently the most affordable way to scratch that itch. In return, you get a solidly built, fun to drive brute that can tear through the scenery if needed. Not a bad deal, we say!