The Head vs. The Heart in a no holds barred wrestling Match
After a grueling contest in which there was nothing to pick between the two, The Heart goes for the kill. It lands its finishing move – a roundhouse kick flush on the chin. The Head is caught napping and is too late to react. 1…2…3…..Its all over.
Winner by pinfall: The Jeep Compass
Prologue:
I had to very reluctantly sell off my Honda CBR650F sometime last year (link to thread
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...a-cbr650f.html (Smooth operator - My 2015 Honda CBR650F). And I was doubly sure that my car upgrade had to be a fun-to-drive car. And something without the GC issues which my old Linea had. Which is why the shortlist had only Crossovers/ SUVs in the first place. If we had good roads, maybe I would have looked only at getting a Civic / Octavia.
Below were the options in my mind:
Option 1: Why even buy a new car? Your old one just needs some repairs. Besides, its Covid season and we don’t know what is in store next year.
Option 2: Kia Seltos – Looks neat. No wonder its selling like hot cakes now because the perceived value is good.
Option 3: New Creta – weirdish styling. But I admit the weirdness has grown on me over time and the styling can even be bearable in some colors (Eg: Black). Otherwise, similar to the Seltos ie; a great package, loaded with features and also the reason why it is selling more than budget hatchbacks.
Option 4: Maruti S Cross. Probably the only Maruti which is well built. Even if it’s a boring 1.5 petrol now (the 1.6 fiat multijet would have been fun). But good space, good build and decent high speed manners meant the Scross came up in the imaginary shortlist. Could also end up saving some precious INRs in the process…
Option 5: CBU / CKDs. The Hyundai Tucson, VW Troc and Skoda Karoq. Somehow, the VW cousins didn’t appeal to me. While I was thinking about the Tucson, it was atleast 5L outside my budget. The new 2021 Tucson which was just unveiled looks too weird with a lot of angles and cuts, I don’t like the design direction of the current Hyundais.
Option 6: Wait for the new crossover which Toyota / Maruti are working on. This might end up coming in 2022. Can’t wait till then.
Option 7: The Honda HR-V - which might come in 2035. I can't wait till then. Honda is my fav automotive brand. But the people running their India Car business are a joke.
Option 8: Tata Harrier - while the BS6 version seemed to be vastly improved, the brand did not appeal to me. We had an old Indica and that had something to do with it I guess.
Option 9: XUV500 - current version is too old now. Facelift might be launched next year. Can't wait till then.
Option 10: My Wife only wanted the Jeep Compass. In Red. Which kind of makes the rest of the options irrelevant. After owning a Linea all these years, somehow the Compass felt like the logical upgrade to me.
Since the Compass was decided, the only real confusion was to get the current version or wait for the facelift - spyshots of which were appearing regularly. The facelift just seemed to have a new larger floating infotainment screen and not too many other significant updates. Large screens and other gizmos aren't a must have for me in a car - else would have bought a Hyundai / Kia.
Consulted with BHPian Arun Josie (who else
) about a few things which just gave me more confidence. So decided to give in to the upgrade itch and go for it. COVID be damned.
Booking & Delivery:
While i was initially looking at the Compass Sport Plus Diesel (4X2), the Corporate discount meant that the Longitude Plus Diesel 4x2 was within the ballpark. So ended up booking it at KHT Prime Domlur. I did try to convince my wife that either the Silver or Grey colors are safer versions since we end up keeping our cars for atleast 7 to 8 years. But it didn't work. So it was the Exotica Red. The KHT Staff were helpful and prompt and we got our Car delivered within a week.
Final OTR including Corporate discount and Extended Warranty = INR 23.2 L
The Mud Flaps, Floor Mats, Car Duster and Car Cover were offered as freebies. While waiting for the number plates to arrive, i got the roof wrapped in Black and the Ceramic coating at Krithi Car Care, HBR Layout - I'm satisfied with their work and am hoping the Ceramic protection is worth it.
What I Love so far: - Engine - What a gem. The Compass diesel is probably the most fun on highways this side of 25L. Did a small 250km round trip this weekend and it was good fun keeping it in 6th.
- Looks - I am a fan of Clean and classy looks which age well. Jeep definitely has nailed that bit
- Handling - while nowhere near my old Linea - but still the best among the crossovers/ SUVs within this range.
Planning to hit Coastal Karnataka this weekend. Will share more impressions later. Here are some pics:
Near Markonahalli Dam. The Compass will be extensively used for putting escapes to places near and far.
The Longitude Plus variant comes with Bi-Xenon HIDs. Same as the top end Limited Plus.
Clean Clean lines. I think this design will look good 10 years later.
I like the chunky alloys of the Longitude version. Notice the front lower lip below the bumper. i think this is slightly higher compared to the 2017-2019 versions.