The Jeep Compass is a likable compact SUV that is very popular among car buyers. Within the Jeep brand, it is even the best-selling model on the European market. In the context of this, it is not surprising that the automaker really cares about it, and after last year's changes comes this year's more significant modernization.
We currently tested the modernized version, which was equipped with a 96 kW diesel working with a six-speed manual. The car also had the highest level of equipment and a very nice two-tone combination.
Exterior
The exterior of the modernized Compass is faithful to the contours of the car before its current rejuvenation, so it is still the "smaller brother" of the Grand Cherokee model. The basic shapes of the car were therefore preserved, and the current modernization played more with individual details. For example, the front part has received modifications, which now has a more pronounced horizontal division while maintaining the traditional concept of the car's mask.
The front headlights are now equipped with full LED technology with integrated daytime running lights. The rear headlights with a new light signature did not escape modernization.
The tested car offered the highest equipment S – LIMITED, which enriched its exterior with a two-color combination (Techno green and black) or with protective edge covers painted in the color of the car. In combination with 19″ discs, it was a very handsome version of this model.
Even after the current modernization, the Jeep Compass is a car that, within its category, offers a confident and original exterior appearance with a certain amount of classic and robust shapes.
Interior
The current modernization has had the greatest effect on the interior of the car itself. The entire dashboard received a new horizontal division, which very elegantly divides it into individual parts. The dashboard now has a significantly simpler and clearer impression.
The car's infotainment has also undergone significant innovation. As part of the top equipment tested, it was represented by a 10.1″ wide display with a very pleasant graphic environment. This is the Uconnect infotainment, the display of which elegantly and ergonomically protrudes very well from the dashboard itself.
The tested Compass was also equipped with a fully digital instrument cluster in front of the driver with a diagonal of 10.25″, which offers a lot of information about the vehicle, as well as more graphic displays. Also new is the multifunctional steering wheel, which offers a very decent finish and a rather pleasant larger circumference of its rim.
In terms of internal ergonomics, I see the only weakness in the comparatively longer shift paths of the tested six-speed manual. Otherwise, during the weekly test, I did not come across any major deficiencies regarding the interior and its user functionality.
The internal spaciousness and interior design are at a very good level, the luggage compartment itself is easily accessible, and in the case of our tested car, it also offered an electronically folding trunk lid.
I definitely have to praise the concept and processing of the modernized interior, this is where the Compass needed to "move" the most and it definitely succeeded.
Offered motorizations and driving impressions
The range of engines has already been significantly modified as part of last year's modernization. Currently, the Compass is offered with either a turbocharged 1.3 T4 petrol engine or a 1.6 MJET diesel engine.
The announced gasoline is tuned to 96 and 110 kW, diesel only to 96 kW. The motorization is connected either with a classic six-speed manual or, in the case of a stronger gasoline, with a six-speed automatic. In all the listed specifications, only the front axle is driven. Those who want a four-wheel drive from the Compass today have to go for the plug-in hybrid version 4xe , which has an electric motor at the rear axle.
The car we tested was equipped with a new diesel engine that had an output of 96 kW and a torque of 320 Nm. So on paper quite decent values, but in reality the Compass gave me a slightly below-average impression of performance. The two-liter diesel that was under the hood before the current modernization "worked out" with the car much better. But I definitely praise the diesel sixteen-cylinder for its refinement and good noise reduction towards the cabin, as well as for its reasonable appetite, when it claimed an average of 6.5 liters per 100 km during the weekly editorial test.
The chassis of the Compass belongs rather to the harder ones, the advertised hardness brings it quite a decent amount of confidence, for example, when going through sharper turns. A smooth asphalt surface is definitely needed for a certain driving performance, unfortunately the broken Czech district can make it very uncertain.
The steering of the car was rather "overpowered" to my taste, on the other hand, in combination with the larger diameter of the steering wheel, you will appreciate it mainly in urban traffic. At higher speeds, I would definitely appreciate the less effective power steering.
The Compass has also moved significantly in terms of driving assistants. Adaptive cruise control and a lane keeping system are newly available, and of course you will appreciate their cooperation most when driving on the highway. Easier parking brings 360 degrees. view of the car thanks to the presence of four cameras.
In conclusion
Jeep Compass is an integral part of today's popular compact SUV category. It continues to be a clear, original style bike that is not intimidated even by lighter terrain.
Its current modernization has very decently revived the exterior of the car, but its main contribution is the successful and necessary redesign of the interior itself, mainly the dashboard and the entire infotainment system of the car.
You can purchase a modernized Compass at a promotional price starting at CZK 623,400 including VAT, here it is the LONGITUDE equipment with a basic petrol thirteen-cylinder working with a six-speed manual. This is followed by the LIMITED equipment levels, the special 80TH ANNIVERSARY edition and the top S – LIMITED equipment tested by us, which starts at a special price of CZK 863,400 in the case of a diesel engine.
Source: Author's text
Image source: Author's own photos
