Right direction
2017 Compass points to Jeep’s future
Jeeps used to be tough, no-nonsense trucks: built to climb hills, haul dirty things and do it without whining.
Today’s Jeeps still can get those jobs done, but now they do it with style and, gasp, comfort. One might be able to use the word sophisticated about Jeeps crossovers.
But even more significant is that this all-American nameplate is seeking a global market. The Compass will be assembled in Brazil, China, Mexico and India, for will be sold in more than 100 countries around the world.
Jeep’s new-for-2017 Compass is based on the same platform as Jeep’s smaller Renegade, but there’s a world of difference between the two. Frankly if you’re doing a comparison, it would be more accurate to look to the Cherokee, which is Jeep’s next size up.
The Compass has the honor of competing in the most competitive class of car or crossover, and one that is fast growing. Even more than others among its competition, the Compass eschews the cute and quirky crossover look that dominated the segment’s looks until the current generation.
From a distance the first thing you notice is how sophisticated the Compass looks. Its stance is planted, but a slightly raised wheel well and macho wheels make it look quite off-road capable. Its face frankly has more of the Cherokee’s dynamic chin out looks, but for some reason the area below the grille as well as the front diffuser seem to move its overall impression back from the edge of the envelope.
The side lines are sweeping from above the wheel well rising slightly as it moves from the front fender to the rear shoulders. The roofline is reasonably horizontal, descending slightly behind where the rear seats are, just as the shoulder line of the car rises slightly. They meet gracefully at a vertical line at the back of the greenhouse.
The car’s rear is pure sport ute, with a big hatch, high and horizontal taillights and a sturdy diffuser below the bumper line. The sum of the parts is a sophisticated yet confident looking car, capable of climbing the crags of suburbia or the real ones away from the concrete.
The interior is modern, and even attractive. Chrysler and Jeep products have a reputation – even among proponents – of having rather average interior quality and design. This car’s interior looks good, with a good feel to the surfaces. More than that, the seats are comfortable and on the Limited and Trailhawk models which I drove were nicely adjustable. There was enough leg room in the rear seat, but frankly it is a space for occasional use by big folk and a greater focus on children – in car seats or not.
The features that are highly desired by customers of this category of vehicle are there – a standard back-up camera, for instance. There is also Bluetooth, Chrysler’s U-Connect in three different versions, a decent stereo and Apple Play and Android Auto for safe and efficient telematics. Its instrumental panel is well laid out and controls on its dashboard are well laid out. Color choices are nice, and the interiors line up to models much further up the food chain.
The back seat is big enough for adults, and that means it handles all types of car seats without a problem. The cargo area will carry most strollers and still have space for all the accouterments of early parenthood.