The new Jeep Compass has enjoyed a revamp.
The new Jeep Compass has enjoyed a revamp.
With a more aggressive, sporty dynamic, the ageing looks that threatened to tame its persona have been overhauled to bring the new Compass into the modern day.
Stereotypically, Jeeps are supposed to be solid and rugged off-roaders, and the Compass looks like it is once again. The new front-end gives it a meatier, tougher appearance. That said, it still unmistakably looks like a Compass which has always been popular for its styling, so fans of Jeep’s aesthetics need not worry.
Speaking of stereotypes, you’d imagine it’d have a choice of diesels and a thumping great V8 petrol under the bonnet. But, unfortunately, there's none of the former and, while the Compass does have a petrol engine, modern-day realities mean it’s a 1.3-litre four-cylinder, producing 130PS, connected to a six-speed manual. There is, however, a more powerful plug-in hybrid version with a six-speed automatic. Though it’s based on the same engine, it produces 50PS more, while the electric motor connected to it boosts the horsepower further to 240PS.
The standard petrol version offers the ‘Nighthawk’ trim with 18-inch black alloys, while there’s also a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Jeep’s Uconnect system (but no sat nav). You also get a rear-view camera, LED headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The ‘Limited’ trim features 18-inch diamond-cut alloys and includes adaptive cruise control with automatic stop/start, as well as a wireless phone charger.
The PHEV’s entry-level trim is called ‘Trailhawk’, which includes 17-inch off-road wheels and tyres and the same Uconnect touchscreen (which encompasses sat nav). Meanwhile, the seats get a cloth and vinyl finish with red stitching, and there’s an off-road mode called SelecTerrain. ‘S’ trim gets you 19-inch wheels, as well as adding electronic movement to the driver’s seat and the tailgate.
The plug-in hybrid version in Trailhawk trim, called 4xe (pronounced 'four-by-ee'), is tested here. And, thanks to the 11.4kWh battery, it’ll manage 157mpg, producing just 46g/km of CO2. Of course, you will need to keep it charged up to get the most out of the fuel economy, but going from empty to full with a 7kW wall box takes less than three hours. By comparison, the standard petrol version delivers 40.9mpg, producing 157g/km of CO2.
I had hoped the electric motor would deliver an instant burst of torque, but the performance is disappointing from a standing start. It’ll still get up to 62mph in 7.3 seconds, but it doesn’t feel all that quick. Certainly, burying your foot to the floor is the only way to sense the power, but if you do, the engine is noisy, and then it'll change gear.
For driving around town, the standard petrol is likely to be more suitable. But then you’re obliged to have the manual, which means lots of gear changes. At least the steering is light, but there's not much feedback, while the ride is firm, and the suspension isn’t adept at smoothing out imperfections in the road.
Cruising on the motorway, where the surface is likely to be of better quality, appears to be a strong point. The hybrid settles down well at 70mph, but the road noise is louder than in some rivals. By contrast, twisty country lanes aren't vast amounts of fun as the steering isn’t responsive enough. However, the body lean is well-controlled given the Compass’s size, plus it has plenty of grip.
When taking the crossover SUV off road, you can quickly tell that this is where it's most at home. The electric motor means the hybrid has four-wheel drive, which, when coupled with off-road tyres and wheels on the Trailhawk trim, helps with traction. Consequently, the new Compass makes mincemeat out of a rural landscape.
Inside, Jeep has updated the interior, which has helped. The steering wheel looks more impressive; there's more silver detailing inside, while the infotainment screen is much improved. Neither the interior nor infotainment system are brilliant, but the Uconnect system has voice activation, which can help you find local amenities via the sat nav. What’s more, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is offered as standard.
The seats, with standard lumbar support in the front, are comfortable. However, if you're on the tall side, rear-seat passengers will find they're getting a bit cramped. Headroom isn't an issue, but some competitors offer more room in the back. In addition, the Jeep's giant pillars compromise the driver’s visibility out of the rear window, but parking sensors and a reversing camera offset this inconvenience somewhat.
There are many storage places now, which wasn't a strength of the old Compass, with larger door bins and a reasonably sized central cubby space and glovebox. In the boot, there’s no lip, so you can slide larger, heavier items in and out with comparative ease – and you’ll get 438 litres of space. Thankfully, you don’t lose any capacity because of the batteries, while folding the rear seats down increases the cargo area to 1,251 litres.
Jeeps are reasonably reliable these days, but an impressive five-year, 75,000-mile warranty is offered, while you can also get various maintenance and servicing packages at the point of purchase.
Euro NCAP awarded the Compass a five-star safety rating in 2017, scoring 90 per cent for adults and 83 per cent for children. Frontal collision warning and lane-keeping assist are standard for extra peace of mind.
Overall, the Jeep Compass is much improved over the pre-facelifted version. But it’s still not enough to bring it into contention with family-sized rivals such as the latest Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.
It’s more practical than some with its big boot, but, in practice, few SUV owners need the extra cargo space.
The interior is more likeable than before - but only satisfactory, rather than excellent. The same conclusion can be drawn about the engine, gearbox, handling, infotainment system and equipment. The hybrid might appeal to company car owners due to its low emissions, but if that’s what you’re after, there are better alternatives for on-road driving.
Jeep is famed for its off-roaders – and needing to drive on the rough stuff is the only way the Compass makes sense. It feels more at home off-road, certainly in the test car driven for this review. But I’m unconvinced the non-hybrid, with its inferior performance and two-wheel drive, will match the capabilities of the four-wheel-drive hybrid, which means you have to have the latter.
Alas, the hybrid is over 33 per cent more expensive than the standard petrol version – and that’s a hike that’s tricky to justify.
| Jeep Compass 1.3 Turbo 4xe PHEV AT6 ('Trailhawk' trim as tested) | |
|---|---|
| Max speed | 124 mph |
| Acceleration | 0-62mph in 7.3 secs |
| Combined MPG | 156.9 mpg (WLTP) |
| Engine layout | 1,332cc 4-cylinder turbo-petrol + electric |
| Max power | 240 PS |
| CO2 emissions | 44 g/km |
| Price | £39,895 |
