Jeeps are famous for being able to go anywhere,
right? Well, is a Jeep still really a Jeep if it's really designed to go to the shops?
Well, let's drive the freshly updated Jeep Compass compact SUV and find out.
This is the second generation Compass, and it's been with us since 2017. It's a light,
chitty wagon that suits young family buyers, although far more of them are opting for the
likes of the Hyundai Kona and MG-ZS. This is the S-Limited, which will set you back about $50,000
by the time you get it on the road. Even the cheapest Compass is in the high $30K bracket,
which helps explains why cheaper rivals are far more popular.
Exterior updates aren't dramatic. They include a new version of the famous Jeep seven-slot grille,
new LED headlights and redesigned alloy wheels. There are no changes under the bonnet,
where a 2.4-litre petrol engine ominously named tiger shark resides.
That mates with a nine-speed auto and an on-demand 4x4 system. Jeep's had a big crack at the interior
for this refresh, and it definitely looks and feels better than before. The sweeping dash is
trimmed in stitch leather, and seats also get the leather treatment, front and rear, in the
S-Limited. This touch screen is a key interior and technology upgrade. It runs on Jeep's latest
Uconnect 5 operating system and connection with your Android or Apple smartphone is
super smooth. Other new tech includes keyless entry and push button start, and wireless
smartphone charging. There's been a big boost in driver-assist systems in the new Compass,
including all important autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Being a Jeep, there's always a lot of emphasis on places in the cabin to store your stuff.
There are door bins and cup holders up front, and a decent glove box, but this center litter bin is
a bit miniaturised. For such a small vehicle, the Compass is impressively spacious in the rear seat.
There's knee room, there's headroom, the seat is even raised for a better view out.
There are a door bins for storage and seat back pockets, as well as adjustable air vents, USB and
USB-C outlets, and even a 230-volt plug. New for the model year 2021 is this power liftgate that
gets well out of the way for access to the boot. Inside the boot is pretty basic, but it's spacious
and the rear seats split-fold to grow luggage space further. So there's been some substantial
effort put into this Compass refresh, but does it translate to the driving? Let's go and find out.
The blunt answer is not so much. Compass mechanicals are carry over, and feel that way. If
truth in advertising was a thing, then the engine would be named Dachshund Puppy rather than Tiger
Shark. It's inoffensive and likeable, but it sure ain't powerful. The Compass is more impressive
when it comes to handling and, to some extent, the steering. It doesn't roll or wander too much,
and the steering is light and accurate, although pretty vacant. Ride comfort is
a definite positive, only becoming moderately intrusive when the going gets really potholed.
The Compass cabin is also a quiet place to be. Yes, the engine gets intrusive when revved hard,
and that happens quite often, and there is tire roar on coarse surfaces. But overall,
it's pretty good. Being a Jeep, we, of course, had to try the Compass off-road, and in those
circumstances, the 4x4 system acquitted itself well. There's a 4x4 load button on the center
console, but that doesn't mean there's a dual range transfer case like a real 4x4.
Overall, we'd say the Compass is more suited to a gravel road than front wheel drive rivals,
but don't go extreme off-roading. You need a real Jeep off-roader, like a Wrangler, for that.
It's no secret reliability and customer service have been big issues for Jeep in Australia in
recent years. To its credit, it's put in a lot of effort to try and overcome those issues.
So that means the Compass comes with a capped price servicing program and a five-year warranty.
But Jeep's also kept that warranty at 100,000 kilometres rather than making
it unlimited kilometres as many rivals do. Overall, the refreshed Compass comes across
as a neat and tidy effort. But for what you get, the pricing seems a little ambitious
unless you're really into Jeeps. Just remember, it's not the Jeep to take you across the Simpson,
but it will do a hell of a lot more than just get you to the shops.