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By
MURRAY HUBBARD
23 January 2012
The first Jeep Compass was launched in Australia in 2007 but due
to below average sales it was quietly slipped from the import list
in 2009. Now the Compass is back in a new format, with a body that
makes it look like a compact Jeep Grand Cherokee.
While the new Compass looks like the Grand Cherokee it has Jeep
Patriot running gear – Patriot having a
classic Jeep shape, while the Compass is very 2012 in its styling.
Both vehicles – Compass and Patriot – will be sold side by side
as compact Jeep SUVs. Compass comes with either a 2.0-litre or
2.4-litre petrol engine, the diesel power plant is no longer on
offer.
Gearbox options include a CVT2 (continuously variable) automatic
or a five-speed manual.
While Compass may look like the Grand Cherokee, unfortunately,
clothes do not maketh the man ... nor sheet-metal the car. The
2012 model is an improvement over the previous Compass, but still
falls short of the mark when compared to leaders in the compact
SUV segment. Where Compass does hit the mark is the bottom line.
Like Grand Cherokee, Jeep has gone for sharp pricing and Compass
can be yours from $30,500 – well under others in this segment.
Under the sheet metal there have been some changes and improvements. But
the petrol engines are a carry-over from the previous Compass and
while adequate will not break any speed records. This is felt most
when going up hills and even the CVT struggles to compensate for
the vehicle’s 1600 kg bottom line.
Compass comes in two model lines: Sport and Limited. Both have AWD
and the Sport model also now comes with a 2WD variant running
grunt through the front wheels.
The entry-level Sport comes with the 2.0-litre in-line
four-cylinder engine that produces 115 kW of power and 190 Nm of
torque. This is linked to a five speed manual transmission.
Standard features include: stability control, roll mitigation, hill-start
assist, driver and passenger airbags, all-row side curtain
airbags, driver and passenger active head restraints, 17-inch
alloy wheels, ABS brakes, air conditioning, power windows and
doors locks, heated exterior mirrors, illuminated keyless entry,
illuminated cup holders, driver seat height adjustment, floor
mats, outside temperature gauge, fold flat front passenger seat,
60/40 split fold rear pew, leather wrapped steering wheel with
audio controls, cruise control and fog lamps. All in all not a bad
package.
Sport and Limited do not have standard side front airbags which
will set you back and extra $800 in the Sport and $550 in Limited,
but includes heated seats and tyre pressure display in a safety
and comfort package.
In addition to the standard inclusions in Sport the Compass
Limited gains the second generation CVT2 transmission,
leather-trimmed seats, six-way driver power seat adjustment and
manual lumbar support adjust. There’s a 40GB touch-screen CD/DVD/MP3/HDD
radio with uconnect phone, auto dimming rear view mirror, 18-inch
aluminium wheels and auto temperature control.
Options include the AWD system, side airbags, 2.4-litre engine,
power sunroof, ‘U-connect phone’ with iPod connectivity and
nine-speaker premium audio with tailgate speakers and satellite
navigation.
Where Jeep Compass has improved is in its ride and handling with
upgraded steering and suspension systems. In our road test of the
vehicle in Melbourne the Compass is settled on urban roads and
cruises nicely – if a little noisily – on highways. There’s some
body roll when cornering, not unexpected in a high-riding SUV.
The five-seat interior is comfortable, but lacks the contemporary
look of the exterior. It is closely modelled on stable mate
Patriot. We found a few squeaks and the cabin is noisier than
rivals in this segment. The interior finish and fit also lags
behind rivals. But, Jeep has priced Compass competitively.
Compass is available in a range of colours, some conservative and
others suited to younger buyers. These include: Black, silver
metallic, white, tungsten metal, cherry red pearl, green pearl,
copperhead pearl and true blue pearl. Compass joins a Jeep stable
that includes Patriot, Cherokee, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited and
Grand Cherokee for Jeep’s broadest ever range in Australia.
The complete Jeep Compass range, with prices (excluding government
and dealer delivery charges) is:
Sport 2.0-litre 2WD: $26,500 (manual), $28,500 (CVT)
Sport 2.4-litre AWD: $28,500 (manual), $30,500 (CVT)
Limited 2.4-litre AWD: $34,000 (CVT)
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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