Jeep Compass
FIRST DRIVE New mid-size SUV faces some stiff competition. Is it good enough to succeed?
THE compact SUV segment is one of the most important in Europe, growing faster than any other. Front runners include the Peugeot 3008 and SEAT Ateca (tested on Page 48), but the best are about to be joined by this: the new Jeep Compass. Sitting between the smaller Renegade and larger Cherokee, the Compass is a little late to the crossover party. So can Jeep’s offering beat the competition?
We drove a US car earlier this year (Issue 1,463), but this is our first chance to try the version that’s due in UK dealers in 2018. First impressions of the new family model are pretty good, too. It certainly stands out on the road – the bold shapes, distinctive grille and chunky arches mean it looks more like a proper SUV than many rivals – and the Jeep badge adds kudos among off-road fans.
Several bright paint colours are available, and they suit the funky looks. Sharp lights and a black roof give the car a lower, wider stance, making it one of the most stylish cars in this class. Sadly, the same isn’t true inside. While there are lots of soft-touch plastics on the dash, the design is dull. Despite the flair on offer outside, things inside are limited to some glossy trim.
It’s all a bit characterless – the chunky steering wheel and high-quality seats are the only real highlights. Our Limited model will be pretty expensive when it arrives in the UK, too, and trails similarly specced rivals on quality. Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s launch, but some specs have been revealed. Our model gets an 8.4inch touchscreen sat-nav with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The system responds quicker than a Nissan Qashqai’s, but the lack of buttons means it’s fiddly to use. You also get a seven-inch screen between the dials that shows trip info and nav directions.
There’s lots of space inside. Adults will fit behind tall drivers, and while it’s a bit dark in the back, it’s no different to many of the Jeep’s crossover rivals. Adding to the Compass’s practical appeal is a large, flat load bay, although the 438-litre capacity can’t match the 3008’s 520-litre space.
The rubber floor mats in our car hinted at one of the Jeep’s real talents. Unlike most of the models it goes up against, it’s actually a genuinely capable off-roader designed for much tougher terrain than most buyers are likely to encounter. Entrylevel cars are front-wheel drive only, but ours was a 4x4 model. While the system stays in auto mode most of the time, there are settings for mud, snow and sand as well.
The small amount of off-roading we tried didn’t faze the Compass at all – and if it’s anything like as good as the Renegade, the car should be up there with the best off the beaten track. A Trailhawk version adds a raised ride height, extra cladding, a lowrange gearbox and steeper approach angles.
Most buyers will spend more time on the road, however, and the Jeep feels a little compromised here. Smooth Portuguese
“Unlike most of the models it goes up against, the Compass is a genuinely capable off-roader”
tarmac means it’s hard to tell how it will fare in the UK, but the Compass felt as composed as an Ateca, if not quite as much fun.
The steering lacks feedback and there’s a lot of roll if you enter a corner quickly. It feels unsettled at speeds where the SEAT would not, but it’s only a little way behind comfortfocused rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan.
The slow nine-speed auto doesn’t help. While it’s not too bad at deciding which ratio to be in, changes are noticeable – it drops into gear with a thud. The highpower 2.0-litre diesel in our test car is coarse, too. It’s got 380Nm of torque and 168bhp, but rev it even a little and there’s an unpleasant rattle. Cheaper, lowerpowered 1.6 diesel and 1.4 petrol manual options look likely to be a better choice.