If you’ve never met a Jeep representative before, you should start with the brand’s mid-size representative. Like a compass, it reflects the direction of development of all models, but still retains the features inherent in old-school «Jeeps». But everything is about to change, and the new configurations that have finally appeared on the market are only the first step.
Now in the salons of the brand you can find fresh Jeep Compass Altitude and Summit, which are slightly different from the test car in the Limited version (We have already written about it on ITC), which was available at the beginning of the model’s sales in Ukraine. So, I won’t repeat the usual test drive, but will emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of the model and note the differences in equipment.
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Let’s start with what makes Jeep stand out from the rest on the road. And it’s not a simple and slightly outdated design, but, of course, a full-fledged ground clearance of 198 mm, which is available in any configuration. Compass really provokes confident driving on the roadsides, and also makes you want to «roll» over rough terrain on dirt roads. And all this SUV allows you to do with ease, despite the mono-drive.
Moreover, the worse the road, the better it feels. Of course, you won’t climb into the mud on it, nor will you seek adventure in the sand, but it allows a little more than other crossovers in this segment, such as Peugeot 3008, Skoda Karoq or Kia Sportage. Off-road driving in the Compass is easy, its behavior is predictable, and it doesn’t throw anyone in the cabin. The suspension here is perfectly tuned and, accordingly, the position above the road is the envy of everyone. Only Mitsubishi can behave better in such conditions.
Recall that the suspension in the Compass is independent on both axes: an improved «MacPherson» strut in front and — «MacPherson» with a multi-link mechanism. The settings are softer than elastic, and usually at speed the crossover rocks very decently, and things need to be caught around the cabin. And as soon as the road gets worse, the behavior changes completely, the chassis works out every bump elastically, quickly and not noticeably for passengers.
And in general, in the Jeep Compass you will never forget that you are really driving a «Jeep», and not some kind of urban crossover, but there will never be all-wheel drive here in any configuration. It should be clarified that it will never be in Ukraine because the all-wheel drive version does exist on the European market and is a 240-horsepower Plug-In hybrid with a 50 km electric range. Only here it would not be profitable with the European price tag.
The differences between the trims begin just above the ground clearance — with the sills, which are usually covered with plastic, just like real off-roaders. The protective surroundings around the car must be practical and strong enough to resist scratches from small stones flying from under the wheels. And it’s good that here it covers not only the sills but also the arches above the wheels.
Only the Compass was created for the city, so here the designers suggested making the plastic glossy in the maximum Summit configuration, compared to the matte in the Altitude and our test Limited. It looks quite striking, but how it will perform in use is another question. However, the manufacturer is confident that the protective coating is even stronger than the matte one.
The difference between the versions will be the ability to make the roof black. In Summit, the red color with a black roof and pillars is offered by default, but in Altitude, this feature will cost UAH 10,760 in addition to the cost of the package. Also, you will have to pay for the choice of color in both configurations. And Summit will offer projector LED headlights versus conventional Eco LED in the Altitude.
As we already know, all Jeep Compasses are equipped with a hybrid system based on a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a capacity of 130 hp and a 7DCT box with two wet inoculations. The system is complemented by a 15 kW electric motor and a small battery of up to 0.8 kWh (the manufacturer does not provide exact data). Of course, the performance of the mild hybrid is not outstanding and together they work only for environmental friendliness and partially for fuel economy.
The battery allows the crossover to move on electric traction only when rolling or at low speeds. This reduces the harmful impact on the environment and protects air quality in pedestrian areas and at the start. It’s a rather contradictory feeling when you drive a Jeep, but you feel the unhurried and soft movement of electric vehicles, until the engine turns on, of course.
However, unfortunately, the crossover does not have the daring dynamics of electric trains. The presence of an electric motor did not affect the speed characteristics and the acceleration dynamics is kept at the level of 10 seconds to the first 100 km/h. The modest 130 hp and 20 hp from the electric motor are not enough even for light dynamic driving, not to mention sharp acceleration. And when you try to squeeze out at least some excitement, the engine’s howl and barely perceptible effect quickly wears off.
It is more pleasant to see fuel consumption at 6.2-7 liters on the dashboard. This is not the best figure for a hybrid car, but for a mid-size crossover that weighs 1.5 tons, it’s pretty decent.
Only users choose their «iron horse» most often not by the external design, but by how it drives and how convenient it is to use. If you remember where the crossover comes from and where it is produced, you won’t expect much from it.
The Jeep Compass is assembled for the European market at a plant in Italy, but there is not as much Italian in the Compass as there is American. You can feel the heritage as soon as you get into the car. The heavy doors click on the body as if you had put the lid on a pot. The rough steering wheel barely fits in the palm of your hand because it is so bulky, and your fingers constantly fail to reach the gearshift. The gear lever requires considerable effort to move the car, and the mixture of materials in the trim in some places includes more than four different quality and origin.
But the main thing here is not the sophistication of the interior design or the thoughtfulness of every detail, but brutality and simplicity. Despite the large 10-inch touchscreen monitor in the center, all the keys are duplicated by physical ones. There is a separate climate control panel with knobs for adjusting the climate, radio settings, and fan power. You can also turn off/on the help functions using the buttons under the monitor. It may not look very harmonious, but once you get used to it, you won’t be able to do without it.
At the very least, you don’t have to click and search for the necessary items in the menu every time, especially when wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are connected. It is here by default in both configurations. It connects to the smartphone quickly and works perfectly, and wireless charging allows you to maintain the charge while traveling (only in newer configurations it is optional).
It is at this stage that the most significant differences in equipment begin Compass Summit received the «Leather Interior» package with a fully leather interior, 8-way passenger and driver seat adjustment, 4-way lumbar support, ventilation in addition to heating, and a rear sofa that folds down in three separate parts. In addition, there are parking sensors on all sides and a parking assist function.
Jeep Compass Altitude is more modest, but still quite full of features. So there is a combination of fabric and synthetic leather seat upholstery, only 6 seat adjustment directions and two-level lumbar support in the driver’s seat, and only heating. The rear sofa will be folded out in a 40/60 split, and only the rear camera will help with parking. The «parking plus» package with all the additional features available in the maximum configuration will be available for a separate price.
The main difference between the latest versions and our Limited will be the availability of built-in navigation with road sign recognition, and an electric luggage compartment door, which is sorely lacking in the test car.
One of the advantages of the Compass is its richness of equipment. It comes with a full package of safety and driver assistance systems by default in both trims. So there is not only a wireless connection of the smartphone to the system, but also an adaptive cruise control system, lane keeping (Active Lane Managemet). A system for keeping a distance to the previous car, pedestrian and cyclist recognition, along with an emergency braking system.
The best part is that all systems work on time, adequately and unobtrusively. Parking sensors are sensitive to even the thinnest grass blades, not to mention pedestrians who may simply be at a distance of about a meter from the car.
In addition, the list of passive safety systems even includes rollover mitigation, trailer stabilization control (TSC) and Intelligent Speed Assist «(ISA) with speed adaptation to road signs, as well as
(ISA) with speed adaptation to road signs, and Raine Brake Support, a system that improves brake performance in rain.
One more feature that Compass has is the active parking brake or handbrake mode. If you set it to automatic mode in the settings, the crossover will constantly engage the parking brake at every stop. Only automatically will it be released with effort and provided that the driver is wearing a seat belt. So it’s worth remembering this at the beginning of the drive, as well as the fact that the button itself is located behind the box lever so that it is not visible to the driver. This can cause embarrassment during the first meeting, as it happened to me. Representatives of the brand claim that this is done precisely for safety, but I personally turned it off to save my nervous system.
It is worth mentioning that Jeep has been going through a significant crisis for almost a decade. This crisis is evidenced by a complete change in concept, the transition from one concern to another, the emergence of small representatives in the model line, and strange design tricks. And now, having come under the wing of the French, we are expecting changes again. We just hope that they will be beneficial and not further separate modern Jeeps from their historical image.
We all agree that this brand has always been associated with brutal SUVs. People who are far from automotive topics still call any SUV «Jeep». However, this has not been the case for a long time, and even the Grand Cherokee does not have all the features we would like to see. Perhaps only the Wrangler is still unique, but we will look at this later on a separate test drive. For now, we have a typical deviant from tradition — a conventional front-wheel drive crossover.
Jeep Compass competes in the most saturated segment, and it will not be difficult to stand out. The well-chosen equipment fits into the middle price category with a price tag from UAH 1,300,200 to UAH 1,478,600. That looks pretty decent at the level of competitors such as Kia Niro Hybrid (UAH 1,566,614), Toyota CH-R (UAH 1,526,744) or Nissan Qashqai (UAH 1,647,550). Only competitors have their own advantages, which may familiarly outweigh the abilities of the somewhat simple Jeep Compass.
Now Jeep, under the leadership of Stellantis, is coming out of the shadows and introducing its features to consumers. Perhaps now the representatives of the powerful American brand will have more chances, and the French component with its technologies and sophisticated design will bring a little playfulness, giving them more charm and meaning.
PROS: Passability due to high ground clearance and short overhangs, technology and safety, hybrid system.
CONS: outdated exterior and interior design, dynamics, gearbox operation, rather noisy engine operation.
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4404/1874/1629 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2636 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm | 198 |
| Trunk volume, liters. | 424 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1575 |
| Engine | 1.5L e-Hybrid |
| Power, hp. | 130 |
| Torque, Nm | 240 |
| Type of hybrid installation | 48V (BSG + P2.5 E-motor) |
| Electric vehicle power, kW | 15 |
| Type of drive | front |
| Pendant | McPherson/ independent McPherson |
| Transmission | 7DCT |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 10 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 193 |
| Fuel consumption, l (mixed) | 6 |
| Cost, UAH | 1 300 200 |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 1 478 600 |
| Competitors | Nissan Qashqai |
| Toyota CH-R | |
| Peugeot 3008 | |
| Kia Niro |