Showing posts with label compass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compass. Show all posts

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Second-generation Jeep Compass

This is the new Jeep Compass and while this is basically a Jeep, it's smaller than today's Cherokee and it is willing, able, and ready to take on the world's noteworthy compact crossovers you name the rest, especially homegrown ones like the Chevrolet Trax. Although this is as smaller than today's Jeeps but bigger than the Renegade, is the Compass worthy enough to be TRAIL RATED?

2017 Jeep Compass

2017 Jeep Compass

Not yet at the moment because before you can determine if this Jeep is certified TRAIL RATED like the rest of the Jeeps, you need to dig deeper on what the new Jeep Compass is. First, let's look at the design and while almost everything looks vaguely similar to today's Cherokee, noteworthy for its styling that looks like one of the baddies from Pikmin or so they say, the front looks like it came from today's Grand Cherokee, so for that Jeep that's smaller than the others, it has some of the Cherokee DNA implanted on the new Compass. Job well done, Jeep.

2017 Jeep Compass

On the inside, it still looks like every other Jeeps of today so the new Compass isn't a big deal for ordinary drivers everywhere. Although what you called above average, the interior boasts some nifty features fit enough for today's drivers and it's surprisingly roomy enough for your estate sale stuff. With a certain optional extra, the cargo floor can be moved up or down to keep boot space well organized for the most demanding schedules of today.

2017 Jeep Compass

Now, we're back at the main question and if the new Compass is capable enough to bore the TRAIL RATED certification only the best Jeeps has to offer, Can be a no and a yes, I believe. In a normal Compass, it feels like it only works on your grocery trips, fetching kids from school, city trips, and pretty much about it, but in the Trailhawk variant, which is a certified TRAIL-RATED Jeep, it's good enough for the harshest regions, great open spaces, running around town, and relaxing Sunday drives on America's finest, thanks to Jeep's Active Drive Low system with 20:1 crawl ratio and low range. Couple that with the Selec-Terrain Traction Control System and Hill Descent Control, and this Compass is a new dimension in compact four-wheel drive crossovers.

Power comes from the 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir 2 engine with 9-speed automatic delivering 180HP of power output, 175lb-ft of torque, and a ton of towing capacity for the Compass, which sounds very moxie for a crossover of that size. Handling-wise, the Jeep feels pretty much like a Dodge Dart and it's very docile indeed for an American car and with over 70 optional safety and security features combined with the latest technology and contemporary engineering, this Compass is all about watching its occupants while dealing with today's road situations by any means necessary.

The Compass starts at 20,995 plus on-road costs, which makes it one of the most reasonably priced crossovers in America, although it is two grand more than its smaller cousin, the European-engineered Jeep Renegade. Whether if you're going around town or playing rough on a quiet Sunday drives, there's a Renegade that will match your preference. What to like about the new Compass is its pricing, features, styling, and offroad capability on the Trailhawk variant but what's not to like about it is the interior above average for first-time buyer as well as its Dart-like behavior that is, again, above average.

Photo: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Monday, April 4, 2011

Jeep Compass Minor Change

2011 Jeep Compass

2011 Jeep Compass interior

The year 2011 marks a big minor change on Jeep's compact crossover utility vehicle, the Compass, and this time, the latest minor change made it more like a miniature version of the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee because of the heavily revised front view.

Aside from the new Grand Cherokee-like front view, the Compass' interior is heavily redesigned and made it more sophisticated for people who want to find adventures in the urban jungle. Attached is the new Uconnect feature that allows the drivers to store music, listen, find directions, and everything else depending on their personal preferences.

The Jeep Compass' minor change comes with two available engines to choose from; an entry-level 2.0L DOHC 16V DVVT L4 engine and a top-of-the-line 2.4L DOHC DVVT L4 engine. The 2.0L variant comes with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT2) while the 2.4L variant comes with a standard CVT transmission with optional AutoStick shifter for a choice of Auto Mode and Manual Mode.

For the basics, the 2.0L engine on the Jeep Compass produces about 158hp@6400rpm of power output. With FF drivetrain and 5-speed MT, the fuel economy of this variant can go for about 23mpg city/29mpg hwy. The 2.4L engine ,on the other hand, produces about 172hp@6000rpm of power output and with the CVT2 and FF drivetrain, this engine can go for about 21mpg city/27mpg hwy worth of fuel economy. This is obvious that the most fuel efficient Compass of all is the Compass 2.0L 5MT FF variant.

The capability of the Compass MC has been revised thanks to the improved suspension, smooth riding, available AWD system, Anti-lock braking system suitable for on-road and off-road conditions, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, and can tow everything up to 2000lbs. Needless to say that this new Compass is the kind of Jeep you can trust.

My thoughts about the Compass:
The latest Compass minor change for 2011 is just one of the reasons why Chrysler's Jeep brand is back and even aggressive than ever thanks to Fiat ownership. Considering this the baby Grand Cherokee because of the Grand Cherokee-like front view, the new Jeep Compass is one heck of a versatile crossover designed and developed for everyone who want a reliable Made in USA crossover. This latest facelift can be competitive to the likes of the Hyundai Tucson iX, Kia Sportage R, Ssangyong Korando C, Peugeot 3008, Mitsubishi RVR/ASX/Outlander Sport, BMW X1, Subaru Impreza XV, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, or even the Ford Edge as well. Let's see if the Compass' minor change can truly stack up against the world if this one has the chance.



Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC