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Weekend roadtest: Jeep Compass 2.2 CRD Limited
publication date: Apr 16, 2011
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author/source: David Miles
The iconic American Jeep brand is
celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2011 and last year the brand,
together with Chrysler, came under the ownership of Fiat Group Automobiles
Italy.
The first of a raft of new models is the
Jeep Compass 4x4 compact SUV range of two and four wheel drive models which
goes on sale in the UK from 15 April with on-the-road prices ranging from
£16,995 to £23,995.
In the UK the all Chrysler Jeep
functions are under the control of Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd. |  | Rob Hatfield, sales director for
Chrysler Jeep UK said at the media launch for the new Compass range, "The new
alliance gives Fiat Group a foothold in the US market and Chrysler Jeep has the
backing of Fiat in Europe."
The Chrysler Jeep alliance with Fiat
follows several ill fated partnerships with other manufactures but the brands
were hit hard by the global recession, the increase in oil prices, the high running costs of 4x4s and large
engined models and in the UK the anti 4x4 lobby.
Mercedes-Benz will continue to supply some
engines and other components for both brands.
Sales of Jeep vehicles in the UK fell to
just 2,078 vehicles last year from a ‘high' of 15,000 in 2002 and Chrysler was
down to just 1,392 registrations.
Hatfield said around 1,500 new Compass
vehicles will be sold in the remainder of this year in the UK and over 2,000
next year. The updated Jeep Wrangler
hardcore 4x4 is already on sale and registrations this year will be around 200
units. In June the new Grand Cherokee arrives in the UK and 700 units will be
available growing to 2,000 in 2012 making a total of 4,200 annual sales in
2012.
The Jeep Patriot and Commander
SUVs have been discontinued. As for
Chrysler he said only the Grand Voyager MPV was currently in the line-up but
new models will be added in the next 12 months.
With more new models being added to both
ranges by 2014 Hatfield expects the two brands to achieve 29,000 annual sales
in the UK, 13,800 for Jeep and 15,200 for Chrysler. He added that currently Chrysler Jeep has 48
UK sales points but by the end of 2012 this will have grown to 70 dealers and
90 in 2014. He said to obtain this growth
it is vital to have a profitable dealer network able to service customer needs.
The new Compass continues Jeep's long
standing iconic heritage of SUV vehicles but this updated range is the first
line-up ever to offer two wheel drive models as well as 4x4 versions.
Hatfield said it is now vitally
important to offer both types of drivetrains in this fast growing market sector
which has to cater for a wide range of customer requirements. He added that
between the years 2,000 and 2010 in the UK, the segment, which includes
crossover SUV types, has grown nearly threefold from 50,000 sales a year to
140,000 last year. The market leader is
the Nissan Qashqai but includes other high selling models such as the Land
Rover Freelander, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Peugeot 3008, Ford Kuga, Mitsubishi
Outlander/ASX, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Tiguan and the premium brand BMW
X3 and Audi Q5 models.
At the media launch of the new Jeep
Compass compact SUV range of two and four wheel drive models Andrea Lo Presti,
Jeep's UK product manager said the revised design for the Compass points to the
styling for the new Grand Cherokee range which arrives in a few months
time.
The redesign includes shorter
front and rear overhangs to improve off-road performance with a revised version
of the iconic Jeep family grille, new front and rear bumpers, flared wheelarches
and more body brightwork.
In the cabin there is wide use of upmarket
soft-feel trims with leather upholstery and a top grade sound system with
multiple speakers for top specification models but as in the past even the
lowest specification models are still very well equipped. There will be four
trim levels with the Sport specification expected to take 6 per cent of UK
sales, Sport+ 25 per cent, Limited 55 per cent and 70th Anniversary
variants 14 per cent.
There is also the choice between three different
engines, two petrol and one diesel. These have four power outputs and offer
significantly improved performance and economy over the engines they replace.
The majority of sales, around 65 per cent, are
expected to be for the new 2.2-litre CRD turbodiesel engine. This comes either
with 134bhp or as a high output 161bhp version. It's an in-line four cylinder
Mercedes-Benz engine, co-developed specially for the Compass, and featuring the
latest common rail technology.
The petrol engines have a capacity of either 2.0-litre
154bhp or 2.4-litre 168bhp and are Chrysler's ‘World Engines'. Both these units
feature dual Variable Valve Timing by twin overhead camshafts.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine has a five speed manual
transmission with two wheel drive and around 25 per cent of customers are
expected to go for the price-led model.
The 2.2-litre 134bhp diesel engine is mated with a six speed manual
gearbox and again is two wheel drive only and will take around 33 per cent of
sales.
The 2.2-litre 161bhp unit also has a six speed manual gearbox but with
Jeep's new Freedom Drive I active four wheel drive system and this model will
account for 33 per cent of sales. The 2.4-litre
168 petrol unit has a CVT auto transmission and Freedom Drive I as standard and
will account for around 9 per cent of sales.
Two wheel drive Compass models are expected to account for 40 of UK
sales.
Jeep is of course famous for its legendary
go-anywhere ability, and the Compass is no different with its Freedom Drive I
System. This is a full-time active four-wheel drive system featuring a locking
mode that gives owners reassuring performance in low traction conditions.
For
normal driving power is sent to the front wheels in order to save fuel. But the
system automatically moves power from the front axle to the rear axle as needed
when wheel slippage is detected. The system also features a locking function to
send an equal amount of power to the front and rear for maximum traction in demanding
terrain.
Operating a T handle on the centre console disables the automatic
function and enforces a torque split of 50-50 between front and rear wheels
enabling the driver to cope with deep snow, sand or other slippery surfaces.
Jeeps are also noted for their towing capabilities.
Two wheel drive petrol and diesel versions can tow up to 1,200kg, the 2.4
petrol 4x4 1,500kg and the 2.2 diesel 4x4 2,000kg.
|  | Jeeps are also noted for their high standard
specification. Every model has automatic climate control or air conditioning,
leather upholstery is standard on the top grade versions as are power operated
driver's seat and heated front seats. All models feature chrome rings
surrounding the air vents, illuminated cupholders in the centre console, leather
wrapped handbrake and steering wheel, LED backlit gauges in the instrument
binnacle and a new Jeep steering wheel
which adjusts for rake and features integrated controls that allow operation of
the sound system, cruise control and handsfree phone. | Electric windows are standard throughout, the
folding mirrors are electrically operated and heated and there's remote central
locking. Inside the electronic vehicle information centre incorporates a trip
computer and displays crucial stats such as average mpg, distance to empty, a
compass, and the outside temperature. All models have alloy wheels.
Sport and Sport+ models feature a Media Centre CD
player and MP3 compatibility, while the Limited and 70th Anniversary
add a six CD system. All models come with four speakers and an audio jack for
connecting MP3 players. Owners of Sport+ models and above have a USB socket and
can connect their mobile phones and use them handsfree with Uconnect Bluetooth.
The Uconnect sound and navigation system is
available as an option on Limited and 70th Anniversary versions. To
ensure music fans get the most out of their stored tunes, the sound and
navigation option incorporates a Boston Acoustics premium sound system. This
features an eight-channel 368-watt amplifier with nine speakers including a
powerful subwoofer. Speakers that flip down from the tailgate when it's open,
mean owners can enjoy their music from outside the car too.
| High specification aside,
the main principal behind the Jeep Compass has been to get the basics right.
The rear seat is a good example with plenty of leg, head and shoulder room for
three people.
The back rest will recline through 12 degrees to enable occupants
to relax and it also splits 60/40 and folds forwards and flat to make the most
of the load space.
With the rear seats in use load space is an adequate
458-litres and with the seats folded down 1,269-litres - not the largest in
this segment though. |  |
First impressions
My very brief test drive was in potentially the
best selling new Jeep Compass 2.2-litre CRD turbodiesel Limited 4x4 version
costing £23,595 which just about undercuts most of the main competition. The brief impression of the 161bhp
turbodiesel engine from Mercedes-Benz was its refinement. Despite the high
gearing in the six speed manual gearbox, adopted for good fuel economy and
lower CO2 emissions, it was responsive and untroubled. Having peak torque of 320Nm or 236lb ft from
only 1,400rpm made it easy and forgiving to drive.
Officially average fuel consumption is 42.8mpg and
my test car returned 36.2mpg driven over a short journey taking in
winding
country roads, dual carriageways and some stop and start town traffic.
The CO2 emissions of 172g/km means a high VED road tax bill of £265 in
the
First Year rate and then £190 for the second year onwards, significantly
higher
than a Nissan Qashqai 2.0-litre diesel 4x4 and also higher than manual
transmission versions of the 2.2-litre diesel Freelander.
The handling and ride comfort are not up to the
standard set by the main soft off-roaders in the sector. The ride was firm and it is made worse with
the 18-inch alloy wheels for the top specification models. Although there were
no test versions available with 17-inch wheels, I suspect they will offer a
more comfortable ride. But the new Compass, like all Jeeps of the past, is no
‘softy' 4x4; it is the ‘real-deal' in strength, durability and robustness so
the firm ride was to be expected.
The Compass looks well put together and a definite
improvement in design inside and out. With the limited numbers Jeep expects to
sell in a growing market I suspect it will meet the demands of hard-core 4x4
enthusiasts who enjoy such vehicles - especially in the Winter. |
| Milestones. | Jeep Compass 2.2 CRD
Limited 4x4 £23,595. | Engine/transmission:
2.2-litre, four cylinder, common rail, high pressure direct injection
turbodiesel, 161bhp, 320Nm/236lb ft of torque from 1,400rpm, 6-speed manual
with fulltime active four wheel drive.
Performance: 125mph, 0-62mph 9.8 seconds, 42.8mpg (36.2mpg on test), CO2
172g/km, VED road tax £265 First Year rate then £190 per annum, BIK company car
tax 27%.
Insurance group: TBC. Dimensions/capacity. L 4,448mm, W 1,812mm, H
1,663mm, boot/load space 458 to1,269-litres, 2,000kg braked towing weight.
For: Smart clean-cut new Jeep styling,
iconic 70 year heritage, strong engine, good all wheel drive system, should be
good off road and on Winter roads, well equipped, the brand is now under new
European ownership.
Against: Other
fine handling SUV/4x4s have driven sales in this growing market sector, the
Compass follows but doesn't lead in outright ability or refinement, high taxes,
currently a small dealer network, un-proven residual values.
© David Miles |
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