Small crossover hits new highs
Excellent upgrades prove model can take some serious abuse
With the all-new Jeep Compass in dealerships, the brand wanted to show off exactly what its latest small crossover can do and it is doing so with the Jeep Trailpass.
A custom 38-millimetre lift starts the modifications, while Continental all-terrain tires wrapped around 18inch wheels with accent pockets provide grip.
Jeep Performance Parts rock rails, custom graphics on the hood and body side, a roof basket and a luggage carrier complete the exterior upgrades, while the interior is finished with Katzkin leather seats with contrast stitching.
Unlike some of the wild 2017 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts, this Trailpass model is rooted in reality, demonstrating a package that is practical and boosts performance. The drive The 38-mm lift, the parts for which are still a concept at this point, makes the biggest difference with this Compass, bringing total ride height to 254 millimetres. That means that it crawls over just about everything, bringing along the confidence that is synonymous with Jeeps.
This lift kit is another part that found its way onto the Moab Easter Jeep project builds that will likely make its way into production, allowing consumers to bring home a lifted Compass for themselves.
The Continental all-terrain tires provided plenty of grip to climb the rocks and run through the deep sands of Moab, Utah, while the standard powertrain, the 2.4-litre MultiAir four-cylinder, puts down just enough power to pull this Jeep through some light-to-moderate offroading.
It could certainly use a little more power, but if you’re not rolling through trails with scary names such as Hell’s Revenge, Hell-dorado or Potato Salad (scary, right?), it is enough.
After spending time in the standard Jeep Compass right after our Trailpass test drive, it’s also apparent that the suspension upgrades help to soften this special Compass a little, eating up bumps and rocks rather than beating up occupants with its road-biased ride.
There is one other small upgrade that will make a big difference: Jeep’s all-weather slush mats. These rubber mats wrap right up the side of the foot wells, offering complete protection for the carpet from wet boots. The verdict The Jeep Compass Trailpass is an exercise in showing the world exactly what the new small crossover is capable of, sporting some excellent suspension upgrades that are likely to be available to the public soon.
One thing is for sure, for all those that doubt the Jeep Compass as an off-roader, the Trailpass proves that with the proper upgrades, this thing can take some serious abuse.