FASHION FADES, ONLY STYLE REMAINS

Coco Chanel’s words may well have been with respect to the world of fashion, but is equally applicable to the Jeep Compass

DOESN’T THAT LOOK LIKE A BABY GRAND Cherokee? That’s inevitably the first thought that will hit you if you’ve seen the bigger Jeep and are then looking at the Compass. The resemblance is quite clear and the madein-India Jeep is all the better for it, for the Grand Cherokee is a grand looking car.

The silhouette of the Compass is both modern and athletic, with Jeep’s use of strong fenders and a sloping roofline creating unexpected drama in the visual impact that the SUV has. With its fancy blacked out roof, A-, B- and C-pillars and that impressive seven-slat grille, the Compass won’t be out of place on the fashion runway of contemporary vehicle design. At the same time, its classic Jeep attitude and simplicity of form ensures that the Compass will remain stylish on high streets for a long time to come.

This striking form is carried on inside the Compass too. The design team’s use of contemporary shapes on the dash and the door, combined with the selected use of piano black, makes it premium without shouting too much. Although the UConnect infotainment system with its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is full of functions, the large touchscreen of the system has been integrated into the design of the dash to create a striking interior.

Overall, the Compass is a handsome SUV that has been designed with enough flair to keep it stylish long after fashion has faded away.