The second-generation Jeep Compass gained a more attractive, rugged look... Exterior redesign
HEADLINING the changes is the exterior redesign, which sees the all-new 2018 model look a whole lot more like a baby Grand Cherokee than some strangely shaped box on wheels.
It’s all the better for it too, and most punters reckon the new Compass looks the business before you get anywhere near the drive experience.
That’s a large part of the battle in this segment too.
In that the nine-speed automatic is excellent, but the small petrol engine (fine around town) doesn’t have as much punch as we’d like.
It’s perfectly serviceable rolling around town and up to freeway speed generating 129kW at 6400rpm and 229Nm at 3900rpm.
The second-generation Jeep Compass gained a more attractive, rugged look and improved build quality over its predecessor, along with a gutsy turbo-diesel engine in the fourwheel-drive Compass Trailhawk that offers genuine off-road capability.
A five-door SUV is the only body style.
The most affordable Compasses, the Night Eagle, drives only its front wheels, but the Limited, Limited S and Trailhawk drives all four wheels.
The Jeep Compass is classified as a small SUV, lower priced. Palas currently has the Limited which is a four-byfour. Alongside the smart styling the Jeep Compass has got some very intelligent infotainment system.
With a 8.4-inch touchscreen for rear-view camera and Jeep’s u-connect infotainment system which includes inbuilt satellite navigation and Android auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone pairing. AM/FM and digital (DAB+) radio, bluetoothor aux and usb-connected mobile phone functions.
Active safety including autonomous emergency braking, which Jeep calls forward collision warning plus, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path traffic alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.
The Compass feels roomy for a small SUV, and its styling looks like a smaller version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The AWD versions strike a nice balance between on and off-road motoring.
Ride quality is excellent and the Compass is even fun in the corners.
Better seat ergonomics would improve all-round comfort, particularly in the Trailhawk. Rear seat comfort is better with generous space for adults.
The u-connect system featuring satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is agreeably seamless.
The 2020 update saw active safety equipment become standard equipment.
It was previously only available with the Limited and Trailhawk versions or as an extra-cost option. All Compass versions have autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear-cross traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited and Trailhawk versions also have adaptive cruise control, which will match your speed to that of slower cars ahead on the highway, returning to your pre-set speed when the way is clear, is also included.
It will also come to complete stop in heavy traffic and move again with the vehicle in front. A reversing camera and electronic stability control are also standard. The latter can help you bring a skidding car back under control, and is mandatory on all new cars.
The Compass has seven airbags:
Two directly in front of the driver and front passenger; one alongside each front occupant to protect the upper body; curtain airbags down each side of the car to protect the heads of those sitting next to a window; and an airbag to protect the driver’s knees and legs.
The second-generation Compass represents a huge improvement over its predecessor. The AWD Compass Limited in particular strikes a fine balance between on- and off-road motoring, with surprisingly good all-terrain ability.
Its capability on dirt doesn’t compromise on-road ride quality and it’s even fun in the corners, as is the FWD Night Eagle. Better seat ergonomics would improve all-round comfort but that’s a small point. Rear seat comfort is better with generous space for adults. The Compass Trailhawk is also quite refined on the open road.
It offers good noise insulation, a compliant if slightly firm ride, lively handling, and predictable and well-weighted steering. Off-road, it handles rocky tracks that most of its competitors would baulk at. Engaging Rock Mode offers increased brake lock differential capacity, which minimises wheel spin and provides decent drive to the wheels with grip. The rear seats in Jeep Compass offer lots of headroom and legroom. Rear-seat passengers get their own air/heating vents and a usb port plus the usual seatback pockets, fold-out armrest and bottle holders in the doors.
The Compass has a 438-litre boot space, which is one of the most generous in a small-SUV like this.
The back seat folds 60/40 and reasonably flat, to lengthen the luggage space if need be. The Compass’s towing capacity is disappointing.
Towing is not recommended at all for the front-wheeldrive Night Hawk variant, Limited and S-Limited AWD tows up to 1000kg and the Trailhawk 1500kg. All-wheel-drive system includes a terrain traction management system, which lets you select different driving modes for driving on sand, mud and snow. Adaptive cruise control with stop/go function in heavy traffic.