Jeep Compass

he Compass is Jeep's made-in-India for the world compact SUV. The Compass has a good mix between the brawny look of an SUV and the sophistication of an urban crossover. The exterior design takes a lot of cues from the larger Cherokee. Highlights at the front include signature LED-DRLs, the iconic 7-slat Jeep grille and projector headlamps. On the side, the squared-off wheels arches, the unique chrome 'crown' and shark-fin like C-pillar catch the eye.

Inside, the upmarket feel continues. The top of the dash uses soft-touch plastics, while most of the other surfaces are covered in leather. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system feels a tad smaller in the large centre console, which itself seems to be shifted towards the passenger side. The three-spoke steering wheel has many dummy buttons which make it look less premium. The black-and-white interiors make the Jeep feel spacious and sophisticated, there is enough cabin space to seat four people in absolute comfort.

The Jeep Compass is fitted with either of two engines: a 1348cc, 4-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine and a 1956cc, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. The petrol engine is available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, but not with a 4x4 system. The diesel engine is only available paired with a 6-speed manual and can be had as a 2WD or a 4x4.

The Jeep Compass is offered in a whopping 10 variants. The base Sport 1.4 Petrol is priced at Rs 14.95 lakh while the top-of-the-line Limited (O) 2.0 Diesel 4x4 is priced at Rs 20.65 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. For the city, the Limited 1.4 Petrol AT makes most sense, while the Limited 2.0 Diesel 4x4 is for those who want to experience Jeep's legendary off-road capability.

Hyundai Creta: Yes, the top-end variants of the Creta are priced in the same price range as the base Jeep Compass. The Creta, in comparison, does not look as tough but still has a SUV-ish stance. Inside too, it is well equipped and has a premium feel. The biggest advantage is Hyundai's vast service network and lower cost of maintenance.

Tata Hexa: Tata's flagship is almost entirely in the same price range as the Jeep Compass. It offers the space to seat 7 people, and, when the lower variants are compared, offers more equipment. The Hexa looks like a long SUV, but its dimensions do not make it ideal for off-roading. Tata's after-sales service and long term reliability are also not up to the mark.

Mahindra XUV500: The Mahindra XUV500 also falls in a similar price bracket as the Jeep Compass. It uses the same off-roader with the heart and soul of a softroader vibe as the Compass but with a larger body. The XUV is unashamedly a crossover but has the hardware to let be driven over bad roads. The feature loaded Mahindra puts some of the variants of the Jeep to shame.

Hyundai Tucson: The actual competitor of the Compass in many international markets, but in India Jeep has priced the Compass so competitively that the Tucson feels overpriced at first glance. The Tucson relies heavily on its mean exterior design, leather-covered interior, powerful diesel engine and on-road manners to attract customers. It is also backed by the company's larger service network.

The Jeep Compass shines both on and off the road. It is stylish, spacious and well-equipped. While it may lose out on many features (which are made glaringly obvious in some respects), it makes up for the same with its very aggressive pricing.