Gina Baksa heads north aboard the All-New Jeep Compass 4×4.
Last time I was in a Jeep (Grand Cherokee), we were romping over rocks in the rain- and windswept Yorkshire moors, celebrating the iconic marque’s 75th birthday.
Today, the weather is 50 degrees warmer, the sky is an iridescent blue, and I’m on terra firma, collecting keys to the New Jeep Compass Limited before a speedy jaunt up the M1 and across to Lincoln on the A46.
This is my first view of the stylish new Compass. Dressed in stylish Magnesio Grey, this muscly 2.0-litre SUV has a MultiJet-II diesel engine under the hood that puts out 170hp. Boasting an upgraded aerodynamic profile, thanks to the wraparound moulding, her seven-slot Jeep grille and chrome exhaust tips all contribute to a finesse that’s very easy on the eye. I’m impressed with the aesthetics.
The Compass Limited has muscly rear flanks and haunches that complement the 19-inch diamond cut alloys (optional on the Limited) framed by trapezoidal wheel arches. I like the sweeping curves and the sloping roofline.
She looks rugged and ready to go: a great mix of masculine and feminine, and less boxy than some of her class competitors despite weighing a good 1540kg. Silver roof rails atop a gloss black painted roof add to the sophisticated upgrade.
There’s keyless entry, too, so you can just open the door when the key is in your bag or pocket. It’s a climb in for me (don’t have the longest of legs) and once inside the soft leather seats (with cattle tan accent stitching) feel snug – and are thankfully vented – a bonus in the current heatwave (they are heated in winter).
Happily, I was able to find the perfect driving position with the 8-way adjustable levers. There are also two positions for the memory function. The stitching and Jeep logo embossed on the headrest are nice touches. And my left foot – idle in an auto – had plenty of resting space in the footwell.
Once the start/stop button is engaged, simply release the park lever, and this nine-speed automatic gearbox is ready to roll. Diesel engines aren’t renowned for their silence, but the engine noise is far less noticeable once the revs kick in.
On the motorway, it was barely noticeable, and the sound-proofing and insulation were superb. In the recent heatwave, I made full use of the dual panel sunroof – operated by two easy levers located above the rearview mirror. The very efficient air con is thoughtfully dual zone.
On long motorway trips, good lumbar support is essential, and the Jeep Compass didn’t disappoint here either – I always felt fully supported. The leather steering wheel (always feels good to the touch) has well-positioned controls to change stations on the radio, make and receive calls, and control radio volume, enabling me to keep my eyes on the road.
Media and infotainment
Media charging and connectivity are good, and there’s a decent visual display via the intelligently designed 8.4-inch infotainment system with BeatsAudio TM DAB radio and touchscreen controls. The GPS was excellent, although the voiceover didn’t cut out the radio as with some marques.
Visually well laid out and intuitive, the Jeep Compass Limited is equipped with nine speakers located around the cabin that provide excellent surround sound with a generous subwoofer. And the Apple Car Play was superb – just engage Siri, and you have your iPhone dashboard up on the screen in front of you.
I love being high up – it’s fabulous having such superb rear and front visibility. Especially useful on motorway drives as well as in slow-moving traffic. I definitely feel a lot safer in the Compass than in a low-slung Sportster.
Drive options in the 4×4-equipped Jeep Compass Limited include Sand, Snow and Mud. Alas, I had no need for any of them since I was mainly on the tarmac, but I know from previous Jeep drives just how efficient these options are.
This SUV doesn’t exactly hug the road, but the suspension was great – very comfortable and supportive without any of the softness and willowing I’ve experienced in some SUVs. Acceleration is not the fastest (0-62mph in 9.5), but since this isn’t a track car, it’s hardly an issue.
The top speed is a respectable 122mph – I took it to a ton on the motorway, and it still felt like 80. There are way too many cop cars hiding in bushes now, though.
Braking in the Compass is excellent: smooth and not the slightest judder when I have to reduce speed quickly so as not to miss an exit. She glided down to 30mph without a moan.
As you’d imagine, boot space is generous in the Jeep Compass, with adequate room for 2 large suitcases and multiple shopping bags. And the rear seats can be folded flat providing additional space. Interestingly, when you pull down the armrest in the rear seats, there’s a gaping hole in the boot. Jeep calls this a Trunk Pass-Through. It did look a little odd but could be used for feeding small animals or shoving naughty children through the gap.
I didn’t do much dusk and night driving, but for the short journeys I did make, I liked Compass’s front projector-beam headlamps and signature LED lighting strip. The headlamps automatically came on when it got dusk. I felt seen, and forward visibility was excellent.
The JEEP Compass Limited is economical, too: I did 312 miles in half a tank (it holds 60 litres) with motorway and town driving, but of course, this is a diesel engine, so let your conscience decide. Jeep quotes 49.6mpg. The car’s Co2 emissions are listed at 148.
Safety Features
As you’d imagine with a Jeep of any model, safety features are paramount. Front and side window airbags are standard and there’s a handy lane departure warning (if you drift it alerts you back over the line) and forward collision alert – an audible alert senses if cars in front are too close.
If you ignore the alert, the brakes automatically engage, which can be a (welcome) shock. I especially liked the blind spot warning. An illuminated triangle appeared on the wing mirror, and I had an audible alert warming me of approaching cars in my blind spot zone. Especially welcome on the motorway when a lapse in concentration can be fatal.
Parking made easier
Parking is a dream in the Jeep Compass – despite its 4.4m length. From multi-storey car parks to quiet side roads and busy main streets, I found the Parkview rear backup camera brilliant and visual displays highly effective.
Rear sensors alert you if you’re too close to an object. There’s also a rear cross-path detection, which was very handy when an impatient twit tried to pass me while I was reversing out of Waitrose.
In addition, I had a go at the extraordinary parallel and perpendicular park assist. Not quite believing it could work, I switched on the ultrasonic sensing kit that enabled the Compass to park itself.
Just line up opposite a space, and it will do the rest for you. And yes, you do need to take your hands off the wheel. You can also let it guide you out of a parallel parking space. I actually love parking, so this is not a perk I would use all the time. However, parkaphobes will revel in this sophisticated gadgetry.
In summary, the new Jeep Compass Limited 4×4 is a more than worthy challenger to other SUVs in a similar range, namely Nissan’s Qashqai, the VW Tiguan and others. I love its commanding driving position, its superbly comfortable leather seating and excellent visibility.
The intelligently configured dashboard is a plus, and the car feels like it’s been designed with women in mind, just as much as the guys.
Jeep doesn’t (yet) have a huge presence in Europe, but I feel that will soon change. Considering the Compass’s iconic stablemates include the Renegade, the Cherokee and its big bro, the Grand Cherokee (my favourite), as well as the sexy, oft-pimped Wrangler, there’s truly a Jeep for every taste – and every budget.
Jeep Compass Limited 4X4 Information
New Jeep Compass Limited 4×4 2.0 MultiJet-II 170hp Auto9 Stats
- 4 cylinders
- 1956cc
- Acceleration: 0-62 in 9.5 secs
- Top Speed 122mph
- Gearbox 9-speed auto
- Max Torque 380 Nm @ 1750 rpm
- Max Power 125 KW (170) @ 3750 rpm
- Drive 4WD Active Drive with Selec-terrain
JEEP Compass Limited 4×4 2.0 MultiJet-II 170hp Auto9
OTR price: £34,925
OTR price with options: £40,645
Website: https://www.jeep.co.uk