[Aditya]

Jeep Compass 4x2 AT First Drive & Preview

Introduction

The Jeep Compass has been on sale in India since 2017. It has been available in petrol & diesel versions with MT, AT, front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The petrol version, which was available in AT & MT variants but only with FWD, was discontinued earlier this year. The diesel version has been available in both FWD and AWD variants. However, the former came only with an MT and the latter, only with an AT.

Over the years, ATs have been rapidly growing in popularity in India. In the higher segments especially, MTs are finding it very hard to find takers. So anyone who wanted to buy a Jeep Compass diesel automatic had to buy one with AWD. And while a majority of buyers do not need an AWD system, they end up paying that extra amount.

Now, to address this problem, Jeep has introduced a new variant of the Compass diesel FWD. It comes with the same 9-speed AT that has been doing service in the AWD. This variant has been developed exclusively for India. The prices of the Compass diesel FWD AT start at Rs. 23.99 lakhs (ex-showroom). This makes the Compass AT more affordable by 20%. Additionally, Jeep has also equipped with mid variants of the Compass with features such as panoramic sunroof, connectivity and wireless charging. The company believes that these changes to the line-up will help increase Compass' coverage of the compact SUV segment by 4 times. The Longitude variant is expected to be the best seller.

The MY24 Compass will be available in 7 body colours - Pearl White, Diamond Black, Techno Metallic Green, Exotica Red, Grigio Magnesio, Grey, Minimal Grey and Galaxy Blue.

In terms of safety, the Compass comes with features such as ABS & EBD, ESC, hydraulic brake assist, hill start assist and all-speed traction control, rear seat reminder alert, rain brake assist, electronic brake prefill and electronic roll-over mitigation.

The Jeep Wave Exclusive Program is available for the entire Jeep line-up. Jeep's customer care program entails three years of Jeep Comprehensive Warranty, Jeep Express Service packages starting in 90 minutes along with Jeep Courtesy Edge & Customer Contact Programs. Jeep Genius and Jeep Adventure Concierge services are also available. Customers in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi & Ahmedabad can avail the benefits of assured buyback (up to 55%), maintenance, and repairs at 27% lower through the Jeep Adventure Assured program.

The Jeep Compass 4x2 Diesel AT

The Compass 4x2 Diesel AT comes with the same 2.0L turbocharged Multijet II engine and 9-speed automatic transmission that you find in the Compass 4x4 and Meridian. The engine develops 168 BHP @ 3,750 rpm and 350 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm.

We got to drive the car for 10-15 minutes. So we couldn’t make too many observations. However, what we can tell you, is that this engine and gearbox combination performs similarly to the Meridian.

Press the engine start button and the engine comes to life. While vibrations are negligible, the noise from the engine while it is cranking and idling can be heard inside the cabin. Put the transmission in D, release the brakes and the car moves off from a standstill smoothly.

Drive with a light foot, the gearbox will shift up at ~1,800 rpm. Drive calmly and you’ll find the engine & gearbox to be smooth and fine. Upshifts are executed smoothly & seamlessly. Driving in a relaxed manner makes the Compass a very easy car to drive at city speeds. However, if you get aggressive with the accelerator, you will find the gearbox's response time to be on the slower side. The transmission also seems to be confused at times. With your foot hard down, upshifts happen at ~3,500 rpm.

Performance is brisk. Jeep claims that the Compass can do a 0-100 km/h sprint in 9.8 seconds. In terms of cruisability, while we couldn’t take the car beyond 70 km/h due to the traffic conditions on the pre-planned route, there is no doubt that this car has enough power and torque for sustained highway cruising.

The AT comes with a manual mode. To use this mode, you have to move the shift lever to the left and backwards to shift up and forward to shift down. However, there are no paddle shifters. The gearbox doesn’t have a sport mode either, which should tell you this car is not for enthusiasts. It’s more for daily use = for commuting, for convenience, for expressway cruising.

Coming to fuel efficiency, Jeep claims that the Compass 4x2 diesel AT can return 16.2 km/l. The car is equipped with an idling start-stop system as well.

Jeep claims that the Compass diesel 4x2 AT gets re-tuned fully independent suspension with a frequency damping front-and-rear-strut system. The company claims that the frequency selective damper and hydraulic rebound stopped systems absorb undulations to improve the overall ride comfort by 0.5 SAE over conventional dampers. On our very short drive, it was not really possible to test the suspension properly.

On the subject of off-roading, Jeep believes that the 4x2 AT can do enough off-roading to satisfy most of its customers. It has the same 1st gear ratio as the Compass AWD and a gradability of 19.8 degrees. It has an approach angle of 20 degrees, a departure angle of 31 degrees and a ramp-over angle of 22 degrees.

We got to drive on a specially prepared off-road track inside the Jeep plant in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra where we tested the vehicle's traction, water-fording ability, ground clearance, articulation and manoeuvrability. While it might not quite be as capable as the AWD version, we are happy to report that it can handle the rough stuff more than well enough for most peoples' needs.

For MY24, the Jeep Compass line-up gets some minor changes to the exterior. These include revised detailing on the radiator grille and air dam...


...and new alloy wheels across the variant range:


Rear bumper has been reworked as well:


The interiors are largely unchanged:




10.1-inch Uconnect 5 high-definition touchscreen head-unit is standard. It comes with Uconnect 5 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity:


Front seats continue to get "Jeep" embossing:


4x2 diesel variant finally gets an automatic transmission:

[Aditya]

The Compass BlackShark Edition

Jeep has introduced a new edition of the Compass called the "BlackShark". It is based on the Limited variant and comes with some cosmetic changes.









Gloss black radiator grille, air dam and inserts on the front bumper:


Each of the front panels sports a BlackShark badge:


Gloss black ORVMs:


Glossy black 18-inch alloy wheels, "COMPASS" lettering and inserts on the sides:


Gloss black roof rails and sharkfin antenna:


Gloss black spoiler and "Jeep" lettering:


On the inside, it gets a black interior with ignite red inserts:


Piano black and red inserts along with red stitching run across the dashboard:




Leather-wrapped steering wheel has gloss black...


...and red inserts along with contrast red stitching:


Engine start-stop button has a gloss black surround:


Doorpads are black with red stitching:


Aluminium scuff plates with Jeep embossing:


Seats get black leather upholstery with red stitching. Since the BlackShark edition is based on the Limited variant, it doesn't get ventilated seats:


Surprisingly, the leather boot of the gear shifter does not get red stitching:


Rear A/C vents get a gloss black surround:

[Aditya]

The Jeep Meridian Overland

Jeep also unveiled a new "Overland" edition of the Meridian. It comes with some cosmetic changes to the exterior as well as the interior.





Changes include a tweaked radiator grille at the front...


...and body-coloured cladding all around:


The 18-inch alloy wheels have been redesigned:


On the inside, it gets a generous dose of suede and copper inserts:


Copper insert and suede cladding with copper stitching runs across the length of the dashboard:




While the doorpads have the same theme as the dashboard, they do not get a copper insert:


Copper inserts on the centre console as well:


Perforated seats draped in suede and leather upholstery with copper stitching and "OVERLAND" branding (front seats):

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[nawalsingal]

Much awaited review. Thanks for sharing. Nice and crisp as always. Waiting for a longer test drive review. Presently, in a dilemma whether to buy 2 WD auto or a Feb 22 Model S at a good discount. Both may be similarly priced albeit different variants. Longitude Auto or Manual Model S.

[madhukarmohan]

Originally Posted by Aditya

Jeep has introduced a new variant of the Compass diesel FWD. It comes with the same 9-speed AT that has been doing service in the AWD.

Thanks for the nice and detailed review! Black Shark edition looks stunningly beautiful! Can be called as the Jeep's version of Skoda's Monte Carlo edition. There will be many takers given the attractive price, features and that Jeep ruggedness. However, the Government is taking every opportunity to push the diesel cars into the world of uncertainty by their narrow minded statements without studying the repercussions

[anilntny]

The cheapest automatic variant is Longitude Plus, but it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels in silver finish. It does get a panoramic sun roof! Good marketing strategy considering Indian customers' mindsets.

[bullitt1]

Jeep should have used this oppurtunity to introduce paddles and/or sports mode. Which tarmac are they thinking to rip with this gearbox.

And those red inserts on the dash and steering look hideously aftermarket in an otherwise classy cabin.

[vattyboy]

My Mercedes CLA 200d do 0-100 in 8.9 seconds with 136 bhp and 300 nm of torque at 1570 kgs of kerb weight. A good tuning of gearbox can do wonders in performance and people say it is underpowered ( surely it is but it beats cars with 170 bhp plus in 0 to 100 time and top speed). I have compass also ....Compass have similar weight of 1600 kgs but with 170 bhp and 350 nm takes 9.8 secs with automatic gearbox as claimed by jeep while my manual takes 9.2 secs.

[GTO]

Great to see a variant that the market clearly prefers. Why force buyers to get the 4x4 if they don't need it? In many crossovers, the AT FWD is the best-selling variant.

Despite its age, the Compass is still a very competent crossover. Great badge + looks + build + dynamics. I think the AT gearbox tuning is acceptable, although not brilliant (here's my review of the AT).

That being said, I am very concerned as to how Jeep is always late to the party. When they launched the Compass, there was no AT variant at all (in a market that loved ATs). The AT then came too late, but only with 4x4. In this BS6 era, where the market has greatly moved to petrols, there is no Compass Petrol on sale. And this AT FWD variant arrives 6 years after the product's original launch!

[sachin_cs]

Seems like Jeep is yet to update it's website, there's no mention of this particular variant.

[sapien]

"Press the engine start button and the engine comes to life. While vibrations are negligible, the noise from the engine while it is cranking and idling can be heard inside the cabin. Put the transmission in D, release the brakes and the car moves off from a standstill smoothly. "

This is an excellent review, thanks!

I'm looking at compass as a alternative XUV700 petrol auto, if you can please share how's is the NVH while on the move-

1. in typical city speeds ranging between 10-70,
2. on highways between 80-110


Also if you have insights on comparison with XUV700 petrol version, please do share.

[r_337]

Jeep should consider fine-tuning their ATs or introducing paddle shifters. It's disappointing to see a well-engineered product like the Jeep Compass overlooking such fundamental stuffs that should have been implemented years ago.

[dextor]

Here is the new brochure where features based on variants can be seen. Picked it from Jeep India portal

compass.pdf

[samyakmodi]

Jeep India reminds me of this meme. Comes to the party when the others have moved to at least 2 levels ahead.