Jeep Compass

The Compass is an all-terrain light (SUV) with bodywork of five doors and four wheel drive without gear, like the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail or Toyota RAV4.

Since purchase, the Compass has because it has a low price, not because its standard equipment is limited (list of all-terrain models with these characteristics, ordered by price). Their quality is apparently lower than most alternatives.

The Compass is available from € 25,990 with a range that includes two engines (140 hp diesel and gasoline to 170 hp), two equipment levels (Sport and Limited) and two types of change (manual or automatic). Sport equipment is only available for the diesel version and automatic for petrol only.

On the relationship between price and product, the Jeep is closer to models like the Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi VGT (25,200 €) or the Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi VGT (25,256 €). Of these three, the Jeep is the only one who can bring stability control. A Ssangyong Actyon 200Xdi also has it and is cheaper (23,900 €).

Jeep Compass. Compass Model 2007.The measures 4405 mm long, 1761 mm wide and 1631 mm high. Dimensions are similar to those of a Toyota RAV4.

It is a transverse engine car, so it has nothing to do with other models that Jeep has made so far, all of longitudinal engine. It is also the first Jeep with independent suspension on all four wheels. The standard wheels are 17 "and optionally about 18".

Mechanically, the Compass has many elements in common with the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Patriot (Jeep begin sales of this model in September 2007).

Despite their appearance, the Compass is better than the Caliber road, thanks to a firmer suspension and tires: curiously, on the Limited, have less profile in the Jeep model (designed for driving off-road) that in the Dodge, which makes handling more precise.

In equal equipment, the diesel engine Compass is (depending on model) between 3,300 and 4,500 € more expensive than the Caliber. While the Jeep model seems preferable for several reasons, the price difference is large and possibly compensate only those who need the AWD system.

The Compass is developed successfully by road after the driver adjusts to the address, very crowded. It is not as accurate as the Toyota RAV4, for example, but can move quickly to safety, thanks to the smooth functioning of the stability control also has a special program to avoid overturning (element that is standard on all versions) . The movements of the body in tight corners are no more extensive than in other terrain.

Jeep Compass. Model 2007.Fuera road wheel drive system automatically connectable carry out its task (technical information on this device). What limits the spread of Compass in the field is a suspension with very short runs, low profile tires designed for the asphalt, the absence of a reductive characteristic angles (mainly the attack) unfavorable.

In km77.com have driven the Compass with the two available engines, the Diesel 140 hp and 170 hp gasoline.

The diesel is coupled exclusively to a manual gearbox six relations. The force that has this engine (Volkswagen origin) attached to the developments short gearbox, favor the recovery into higher gear, one of the best we've tested recently in this respect (table).

The engine vibrates is conveniently little but not acoustically isolated, so the sound reaches the passenger compartment with greater intensity than in other off-road diesel, as a Kia Sportage or a Honda CR-V. Like all cars we've tested with this engine (Audi, Dodge, Mitsubishi, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen), the relationship between performance and consumption is good.

We also briefly led the petrol version with automatic transmission. I could not appreciate the benefits of the Compass with this engine, but it is clearly better than the diesel into noise and vibration. Since the converter is automatic, some will perceive it as an engine noisier because, unlike a fixed relationship-box there is no equivalence between the noise of the engine and car speed.

The driver can intervene in the exchange through a sequential control, with which you can choose from six fixed ratios. The longest of them is not as long as the final development that is in automatic mode.

The interior looks better than the Caliber, possibly by the dark tone of the coatings (in the Dodge are gray), but still topped bad edges and made little adjustments. There is enough space for four adults. The boot, with 334 l capacity only until the curtain covering it, is similar to a KIA Sportage but is very small compared with the 586 l to have a Toyota RAV4 (comparative table of porters, sorted from highest to lowest capacity).

Jeep Compass. Model 2007.En equipment there are some unusual and useful items such as a light to the trunk that can be drawn to work as a flashlight (image) or a vinyl luggage compartment floor, easily washable.

Other items of equipment are curtain airbags, an optional stereo speaker Boston Acoustics with swivel (for ringing off the car when the door is open, image), folding and reclining rear seatbacks 12th, a pressure control system tire or auto-dimming rearview mirror, among others.

In the style there are some features of the mark, such as vertical seven-slot grille and round headlights, but has an unusual shape and proportions in Jeep.

With this model, Jeep hopes to attract one type of customer who has not so far and he did not consider buying a Jeep. This model is made in Belvidere (Illinois, USA).

Throughout 2007, will launch the new Jeep Wrangler two-door version and a four-door (called Unlimited).