Jeep Compass Limited First Drive

FIRST THOUGHTS: With styling cues taken from much bigger brother the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Compass is much better looking than ever before. And with a starting price of just $26,000, it might just be the shot in the arm Jeep needs to continue the good work begun by the Grand Cherokee.

Following the lead of Range Rover’s Evoque, the Jeep Compass has broken new ground, becoming the first from the American brand to be offered in 2WD. No bad thing for the city market, however we think the 4WD version will still be the most popular, and certainly the most capable. Following two years out of the Australian market, the Compass is back, packing even more punch than the old model in a vastly more refined package.

What's it like?

Most evident straight off the bat is the heavily revised exterior styling that transforms the diminutive little off roader into a smaller version of the new Grand Cherokee. While it can look a little strange from some angles, the Compass is certainly an attractive compact SUV.

Also almost immediately evident is the revised interior. In top spec Limited guise with heated leather seats, it’s a genuinely comfortable place to be. There is simply no comparison between the quality of this new model’s interior and it’s predecessor’s more basic interior.

The Compass might be dimensionally compact, but on the inside it feels surprisingly spacious. Even the second row seating is comfortable enough for two adults (centre is a little tight as you’d expect) and there’s also ample luggage room out back for a weekend – or longer – away. My only interior gripe was the absence of a footrest for my left foot.

The boot is decent for a vehicle of this size, and can be expanded from 458 litres with the rear seats in position to a whopping 1268 litres with the 60/40 split-fold seats folded. As a comparison, the luggage area is similar to that of a Skoda Yeti or Nissan Dualis.

Out on the open road or around town, the Jeep’s CVT is one of the better units we’ve tested. In fact, in concert with the larger 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the CVT gets the little Jeep up and running in zippy fashion (using 8.6L/100km – this drops to 8.5L/100km if you go for the five-speed manual).

The ride and handling is more relaxed than dynamic and the steering won’t win any awards for feedback. It is, however, firm with a chunky feel to it, if a little light as speed increases. Ugly road surfaces can make the Compass a little skittish, but that is the price you have to pay for things like ground clearance and off-road prowess. The Compass is up there with rivals such as RAV4 or X-Trail in terms of ride and handling.

Standard safety kit won’t set the world on fire, given you only get four airbags. Side airbags for the driver and passenger are available as an option, ranging in price from $550 to $800 depending on model grade. Standard features include: air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power/heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry, 17-inch aluminium wheels, fog lamps, cruise control, illuminated cup holders, a removable/rechargeable light, outside temperature display, electronic stability control, front driver and passenger active head restraints, electronic roll mitigation, and Hill-start Assist.

The 3-year, 100,000km warranty will keep buyers satisfied for some time after purchase and 12,000km service intervals are also impressive. As driven at the launch, this Jeep Compass Limited lists for $34,000 (+ORC), but the starting price for the Compass is $26,000, which given the driving experience and improved build quality is great value for money.

VERDICT: Light years ahead of the model it replaces and packing in serious value for money in top-spec guise, the new Compass gives a strong insight into just where the Jeep brand is heading under new owner Fiat.