COMPACT SUV THAT IS BIG ON PERFORMANCE

Prowess is more than skin deep when it comes to this off-roader which sets itself apart within the genre

Ambition and ability are two things too often confused. Lifesavers will attest to that fact, with men full of bravado all too often being the ones hauled to shore after looking death in the eye. An interesting fact for four-wheel drive manufacturers is most buyers rarely use the vehicles for their purpose.

Compact SUVs have been a sales hit for a range of brands, appealing to those who like the look of off-roaders despite having no intention of leaving the bitumen.

While the Jeep Compass is primarily focused on around-town duties, there is one option designed specifically for those who really want to get dirty.

The Trailhawk is the most expensive Compass you can buy at just over $57,000. It’s designed for the serious off-roader, with the extra kit representing a $14k step up from the base Night Eagle model.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

KEL: Robust and nuggety, it looks like the automotive version of a staffy.

GRANT: The black bonnet decal, red recovery hooks front and back as well as underbody bash plates accentuate the Trailhawk’s muscular appearance. KEL: While we’ve been in plenty of sporty and tough- looking vehicles in the past which are more softroaders, this felt like a genuine four-wheeldrive.

GRANT: Jeeps do have an enviable off-road reputation and this version could conquer the toughest of terrain. There are bitumen-focused derivatives of the Compass, but the Trailhawk was purpose-built to drive on roads just about any other SUV in this genre wouldn’t consider.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE?

KEL: Inside and out it’s super cool. Like dual-cabs with all the trimmings, the outdoorsy appeal is loud and proud. GRANT: That price sounds excessive at first pass. Although take a look at some second-hand Suzuki Jimnys being advertised at the moment (some pushing well past $42,000) and the extra luxury on offer from the Jeep increases its appeal.

KEL: I really liked the plush leather-trimmed seats. They were comfy along with the basic design – good cup and bottle holders along with simplistic controls that need little analysis.

GRANT: The Alpine stereo, digital driver display and 10.1-inch touchscreen are refined inclusions, yet it’s the off-road prowess that sets it apart.

WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE?

KEL: There weren’t massive kilometres on the test car, but there were issues with the remote entry. We had to use the doorhandle button to lock and unlock.

GRANT: We also suffered glitches with the infotainment system. Occasionally the smartphone mirroring applications wouldn’t register.

KEL: I also found the gear changes were slow sometimes.

GRANT: The nine-speed automatic transmission did hold gears too high into the rev range on occasions.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: Getting off the line nicely, the Trailhawk felt responsive. I found the steering lacked direction sometimes but that was due to the lane- keeping assist function which was too aggressive for my liking.

GRANT: Some safety features on all brands can be too intrusive on occasions and I particularly find lane keeping needs to be turned off when traversing winding rural roads.

KEL: Being compact, there were no issues with parking, aided by a surround-view camera. GRANT: The real jungle, as opposed to the urban one, is where it does the best work. The 17-inch wheels are perfect for getting off the bitumen and provide an improved footprint when you drop air. Selec-Terrain makes offroading simple, and the low range makes it one of the more capable four-wheel drives around.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: Given the weekly grocery shop spilt into the back seat, along with the fact I’m not an avid off-roader, I’d probably be more likely to be swayed by a standard Compass. While it looks awesome and I really liked it overall, it’s got more capability than I require.

GRANT: Jeep’s had some reliability struggles in the past, but now comes with lifetime roadside assist if you maintain dealer servicing for peace of mind. The Trailhawk would be an acquired taste that offers outstanding ability on the toughest of terrain with tough looks.