Tushal
Looking for adventure? - Jeep Compass
Looking for adventure
by tushal bhadang
The 2007 Jeep Compass is a crossover vehicle that’s trying to tiptoe into car territory mated to some of the performance features of an SUV
JEEP HAS ALWAYS CARRIED THAT MACHO GO anywhere image that dictates off-road performance and the Compass points towards Jeep’s brand new
direction – they want to manufacture cars now! The puppy dog eyes and rounded body panels soften off-road aggressive looks of a normal 4x4. Officially the closest relative to the Compass is the Dodge Caliber (which shares a similar chassis and body
shell) with a larger heart. The 2.4 litre, DOHC, dual VVTI-4 gasoline engine works hard to pump out 170 hp maxing out at 6000 RPM. Torque (essential off the road)
of 220 Nm peaks at 4500 RPM. The sequential multipoint injection engine is mated to a CVT2 (continuously variable transmission) auto box with a simulated 6-speed
stick shift. Transmission via the full time 4WD Freedom Drive-I technology is smooth and silky. The throttle is of the Euro-box kind which has a very interesting feature – a
firm detent at the end of its travel, bury your right foot and the 4 potter zings all the way to 6000 RPM and stays there!
Gearshifts are smooth and it manages to clock a 0-100 kph time of 9.5 seconds, which is tolerable for this 1.5 tonner. Being Jeep, I had to take it off the road for some sand bashing. Despite the absence of a full frame, live axle and locking differential, the Compass’s 8.1-inch ground clearance was on its side. A neat “4WD Lock” switch that could be engaged (at any speed) to force electronic coupling of the wheels and sends about 50% of the power to the rear wheels did the trick. In the desert
back-roads of Bahrain the CVT2 box didn’t do justice to the torque produced by the engine. It lacked the slap-jerk motion that is required at times and the tyres (215/60 R17 alloy rims, which were all-weather road tyres) didn’t do much in terms of traction. But I have to mention that I was clearly pushing it to the limit, for which only a “high end” SUV’s that cost a dollop could tackle.
Off road performance is at par with excellent track and comfortable ride. Whoever designed the suspension just dug into the Jeep parts bin and concocted an all independent design that can actually be used on a rally track. With gas charged shocks and stabilizer bars up front and rear, off road manners were satisfying.
Coming back onto the black, the Jeep absorbs undulations on the road well, just like a car, but on braking or high speed turns it pitches and rolls like a puppy on
marble. The power steering is effective but languid and lack road feel and toughening up at higher speeds.
Understeer is noticeable but controllable with a slight opposite flick. The brakes are mushy and grabby but don’t compromise stopping performance ABS and EBD with
ESP are standard. In-cabin amenities aren’t many and the fit and finish of the panels is again “hard” to describe. A 6-Speaker single CD audio system graces the dash, the arm rests have fake plastic-metal panels and doors have storage space for soda
cans. The rear cabin lights have an incorporated flip out flash-light for night excursions. The rear seat legroom is above average, the front centre arm
rest assembly intrudes into the leg area. Seats are comfortable and height adjustable for the driver and steering is adjustable for rake and reach. 60/40 split rear
seats are well designed and easy to use. Rear cargo bay is low and easy for stowage, floor panels are removable and washable.
The best part about the switchgear is that Jeep has kept it simple and easy to read. The Speedo console provides all the details like outside temperature, current cd audio track, fuel efficiency and a nifty two-letter compass to display vehicle heading. Air conditioner cools well for the size of cabin space. In terms of safety seatbelts with pre-tensioners and 4 air bags protect the occupants.
Last word
The Compass is all things to all men (and women). It competes directly with other crossovers in the market. The quality of the fit and finish of the vehicle are at par with
other American vehicles which may fail to excite but looking at the broader canvas, the Compass offers an excellent value for money proposition aimed at people who
would want some of the thrills of an off-roader without the in-city hassles of owning an SUV. The Compass delivers in terms of ride, handling and comforts that are like a car and 4x4 capability gives it an edge over normal cars. Available in Limited trim, the list of optional extras increases manifold with other creature comforts added. It might look
big and beefy but is actually easy to potter around town in by lanes. The car tends to grab attention with its puppy dog looks. It made me smile even when it got stuck!
Rating 3/5
Car supplied by Behbahani Bros., Kingdom of
Bahrain.
Looking for adventure? - Jeep Compass
Looking for adventure
by tushal bhadang
The 2007 Jeep Compass is a crossover vehicle that’s trying to tiptoe into car territory mated to some of the performance features of an SUV
JEEP HAS ALWAYS CARRIED THAT MACHO GO anywhere image that dictates off-road performance and the Compass points towards Jeep’s brand new
direction – they want to manufacture cars now! The puppy dog eyes and rounded body panels soften off-road aggressive looks of a normal 4x4. Officially the closest relative to the Compass is the Dodge Caliber (which shares a similar chassis and body
shell) with a larger heart. The 2.4 litre, DOHC, dual VVTI-4 gasoline engine works hard to pump out 170 hp maxing out at 6000 RPM. Torque (essential off the road)
of 220 Nm peaks at 4500 RPM. The sequential multipoint injection engine is mated to a CVT2 (continuously variable transmission) auto box with a simulated 6-speed
stick shift. Transmission via the full time 4WD Freedom Drive-I technology is smooth and silky. The throttle is of the Euro-box kind which has a very interesting feature – a
firm detent at the end of its travel, bury your right foot and the 4 potter zings all the way to 6000 RPM and stays there!
Gearshifts are smooth and it manages to clock a 0-100 kph time of 9.5 seconds, which is tolerable for this 1.5 tonner. Being Jeep, I had to take it off the road for some sand bashing. Despite the absence of a full frame, live axle and locking differential, the Compass’s 8.1-inch ground clearance was on its side. A neat “4WD Lock” switch that could be engaged (at any speed) to force electronic coupling of the wheels and sends about 50% of the power to the rear wheels did the trick. In the desert
back-roads of Bahrain the CVT2 box didn’t do justice to the torque produced by the engine. It lacked the slap-jerk motion that is required at times and the tyres (215/60 R17 alloy rims, which were all-weather road tyres) didn’t do much in terms of traction. But I have to mention that I was clearly pushing it to the limit, for which only a “high end” SUV’s that cost a dollop could tackle.
Off road performance is at par with excellent track and comfortable ride. Whoever designed the suspension just dug into the Jeep parts bin and concocted an all independent design that can actually be used on a rally track. With gas charged shocks and stabilizer bars up front and rear, off road manners were satisfying.
Coming back onto the black, the Jeep absorbs undulations on the road well, just like a car, but on braking or high speed turns it pitches and rolls like a puppy on
marble. The power steering is effective but languid and lack road feel and toughening up at higher speeds.
Understeer is noticeable but controllable with a slight opposite flick. The brakes are mushy and grabby but don’t compromise stopping performance ABS and EBD with
ESP are standard. In-cabin amenities aren’t many and the fit and finish of the panels is again “hard” to describe. A 6-Speaker single CD audio system graces the dash, the arm rests have fake plastic-metal panels and doors have storage space for soda
cans. The rear cabin lights have an incorporated flip out flash-light for night excursions. The rear seat legroom is above average, the front centre arm
rest assembly intrudes into the leg area. Seats are comfortable and height adjustable for the driver and steering is adjustable for rake and reach. 60/40 split rear
seats are well designed and easy to use. Rear cargo bay is low and easy for stowage, floor panels are removable and washable.
The best part about the switchgear is that Jeep has kept it simple and easy to read. The Speedo console provides all the details like outside temperature, current cd audio track, fuel efficiency and a nifty two-letter compass to display vehicle heading. Air conditioner cools well for the size of cabin space. In terms of safety seatbelts with pre-tensioners and 4 air bags protect the occupants.
Last word
The Compass is all things to all men (and women). It competes directly with other crossovers in the market. The quality of the fit and finish of the vehicle are at par with
other American vehicles which may fail to excite but looking at the broader canvas, the Compass offers an excellent value for money proposition aimed at people who
would want some of the thrills of an off-roader without the in-city hassles of owning an SUV. The Compass delivers in terms of ride, handling and comforts that are like a car and 4x4 capability gives it an edge over normal cars. Available in Limited trim, the list of optional extras increases manifold with other creature comforts added. It might look
big and beefy but is actually easy to potter around town in by lanes. The car tends to grab attention with its puppy dog looks. It made me smile even when it got stuck!
Rating 3/5
Car supplied by Behbahani Bros., Kingdom of
Bahrain.