Jeep erupts back into the compact SUV segment in 2012 with a much-improved Compass, sharply priced from $26,500 and equipped in the usual Jeep way with the armada of technical and safety features demanded by North American buyers. And that ‘Made In Belvidere, Illinois’ stamp means the good-looking Jeep Compass stands-out from the crowd of Asian and European compact SUVs.
Measuring 4448mm in overall length and with a wheelbase of 2635mm, the all-new Jeep Compass is one of the larger mid-sizers and this pays off with impressive interior and luggage space – two ‘crucials’ for family buyers. Mark this one as a ‘must-include’ on your shopping list.
After flying under the radar somewhat for the last couple of years, Jeep has some aggressive plans for 2012, spearheaded by new CEO Clyde Campbell and marketing boss Sam Tabart. The all-new Compass gets things off to an impressive start and means we must mark the American icon as ‘a brand to watch in 2012’.
Jeep Compass Overview
Car Showroom tested the Jeep Compass Sport model in 2WD with the CVT automatic transmission.
The full range is:
Sport 2.0-litre 2WD manual $26,500
Sport 2.0-litre 2WD CVT automatic $28,500
Sport 2.4-litre 4WD manual $28,500
Sport 2.4-litre 4WD CVT automatic $30,500
Limited 2.4-litre 4WD CVT automatic $34,000
Jeep Compass Engine
Two four-cylinder engines for 2012 Jeep Compass – a 2.0-litre (as tested) or a 2.4-litre.
The 2.0-litre delivers 115kW at 6300rpm and 190Nm at 5100 rpm, while the 2.4-litre is good for 125kW at 6000rpm and 220Nm at 4500rpm.
Fuel consumption for the 2.0-litre is rated at 8.2l/100kms (combined cycle) for the automatic version we drove (7.6l/100kms for the five-speed manual). The 2.4-litre runs dual variable valve timing for optimized fuel consumption and is rated at 8.6l/100kms and 8.5l/100kms.
Jeep Compass The Interior
Like all Jeeps, there is an instant American feel when you climb inside the Jeep Compass. That comes not only from the Jeep badge on the steering wheel, but also from the generously proportioned seats and American trim materials.
In fact Jeep adopted new, more upscale trims for the 2012 Compass (cloth in the Sport model as tested or leather in the Limited). There’s also a new steering wheel with remote control buttons for the audio and cruise control.
Height adjustment for the drivers’ seat provides some compensation for the lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel, however we found the plastic ‘box’ under the steering column was a bit intrusive in the old leg-room department.
Conventional instruments are housed in a curved binnacle and include digital readouts for outside temperature etc. To the left a nice centre console houses audio and climate control dials and a handy storage box in front of the glovebox makes up for small storage bins in the centre console.
Audio in our Sport model test car was a CD/DVD/MP3 system with an audio jack (Limited versions add 30GB hard-disc and 16.5cm touch screen with satellite navigation, voice command, Bluetooth and flip-down tailgate speakers to take your sound outdoors when camping etc).
Rear seat passengers enjoy leg-room which in this league is substantial and a recline function for the seat improves comfort even further.
60/40 split folds for the rear seat provide cargo versatility. Cargo capacity with the rear seat in-place is 458-litre and 1260-litres with the seat folded – again that’s amongst the best in this league.
Jeep Compass Exterior & Styling
Jeep didn’t have to look far when ramping-up the looks department for the 2012 Compass – the company’s latest range-topping Grand Cherokee is an elegant design and clearly provided the inspiration for the 2012 Compass.
That is most noticeable around the front-end where 2012 Jeep Compass scores a Grand Cherokee-like look thanks to a new grille (the hallmark Jeep seven slots), new bonnet (with a power bulge) and new fenders. Lights also get the full treatment with quad reflector headlights and new fog-lights with projector lamps.
The profile is highlighted by the new-for-2012 protective cladding for the wheel arches. Jeep Compass is well-executed with modern rear-sloping C-pillars and the rear door handles encased in the door frame. Jeep Compass Sport model (as tested) runs nice 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Limited scores 18-inchers.
At the rear, changes in include new LED tail-lights, a new fascia and body-colour spoiler.
Also changed for 2012 are the roof rails which adopt a smaller, more subtle look.
All-up the 2012 Jeep Compass is am more purposeful look than its predecessor.
Jeep Compass On The Road
To mark the launch of the 2012 Compass, Jeep sent us off on a mixture of roads from Melbourne to sea-side Portsea (the holiday playground of wealthy Melburnians) where the company was sponsoring the annual polo event. With a towing capacity of 1200kgs (2.0-litre) or 2400kgs (2.4-litre) the Jeep Compass won’t be towing too many polo horses - but as well as horses, the recreation enthusiasts in Portsea love golf and water sports so the Jeep Compass was certainly mixing with the right crowd.
And while the route didn’t enable us to test Jeep Compass’ 32-degree departure angle and 20-degree approach/breakover angles, being a Jeep it’s safe to assume substantial off-road capability is inherent in the 4WD models (remember our test car was a 2WD ‘Sport’ model).
With 115kW/190Nm, Jeep’s 2.0-litre shades Nissan X-TRAIL’s 102kW/198Nm but doesn’t quite match the 220kW+ of some rivals. That said, the Jeep Compass was a comfortable cruiser down the Mornington Peninsula freeway and when looking for some extra urge for overtaking, we liked the horizontal shift plane of the gear lever for easy manual cog-swapping (Jeep calls it ‘Auto Stick’ mode when the CVT is switched to a six-speed manual).
In fact, 2012 Compass scores the ‘CVT2’ second-generation continuously variable transmission which has been re-worked for better response in the 50-100km/h range.
Over the twisty stuff, the Jeep Compass was safe and predictable with the expected body-roll and at-the-limit understeer familiar to compact SUV buyers. So while turn-in and response didn’t quite match the segment benchmarks of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Mazda CX-7, Jeep Compass compared favourably with the likes of Nissan X-TRAIL, Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4etc.
Where we did deduct points from the Jeep Compass was in the refinement/NVH category…just a tad more mechanical and wind noise than some rivals.
Jeep Compass Challenges
Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-7 and Kia Sportage are arguably the segment leaders for on-road refinement. Jeep Compass – like many big-selling rivals – exhibits a bit more mechanical, wind and tyre noise on smooth surfaces.
Jeep Compass Verdict
For family buyers and sports enthusiasts the Jeep Compass mounts a compelling argument in the compact SUV segment. While the sophisticated Volkswagen Tiguan and sporty Mazda CX-7 deliver segment-best refinement and on-road dynamics, the Jeep Compass counters with luggage space, durability and toughness.
And Jeep has shown its hand in an aggressive marketing push to conquest sales with very sharp pricing right from the get-go.
Much like Jeep’s range-topping Grand Cherokee, we like the ‘American-ness’ of the Jeep Compass. Against the flood of Asian and European models in this segment, that point of differentiation scores points with us.
Jeep Compass is a definite inclusion on your shopping list
Jeep Compass The Competition
In 2011, Subaru Forester narrowly edged the Toyota RAV4 for sales leadership in the compact SUV category, closely followed by the Nissan X-TRAIL and Hyundai ix35. Also in the consideration set are the Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-7 and the Kia Sportage (the latter in our eyes the style leader of this lot).
So you can’t accuse this segment of lacking variety!
And Jeep has certainly priced the all-new Compass very sharply from $26,500 (that’s close to the Hyundai ix35 which starts at $26,990 and the Kia Sportage which starts at $26,200 while Subaru Forester starts at $30,990, Toyota RAV4 at $28,990 and Nissan X-TRAIL at $28,490).
Apart from X-TRAIL’s 102kW 2.0-litre, the 115kW 2.0-litre engine in the Jeep Compass is marginally out-gunned by the others.
Where the Jeep Compass outpoints the rest is its American-derived styling inside and out (makes a change from the Japanese and Korean vehicles) and the Jeep is amongst the front runners for luggage space. And of course it’s a Jeep and that badge brings with it significant cachet and a reputation for toughness which certainly must be considered.
Jeep Compass Likes:
Much improved looks; roomy and stylish interior; great value
Jeep Compass Dislikes:
Doesn’t match the segment’s best for refinement
