The Compass will be the first of many models expected to get a generation change.

According to media reports, American automaker Jeep is in the process of updating its entire model lineup. The carmaker is expected to introduce new-generation iterations of many of its models, starting with the Jeep Compass SUV.

As per reports, Jeep is working on a brand new Compass SUV for the European market. The upcoming new-gen Compass will be built from the ground up, making use of the STLA-M platform of Stellantis. This indicates Jeep could offer a range of powertrain options on the Compass, including mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even an all-electric version.

The new Compass will be a strict five-seater SUV and will feature a more boxier and upright stance compared to the current version. Jeep could offer the Compass in two options - standard and Trail-Rated. The latter will differentiate itself with a taller ride height, off-road tyres, better approach & departure angles, and use rugged materials all around.

Moving inside, reports suggest that the new-gen Compass will get a completely revamped look, with plenty of tech borrowed from elsewhere in the Stellantis Group. This includes Peugeot's windscreen i-cockpit layout and Vauxhall Grandland's 16-inch widescreen setup; among others. Being a Jeep, the SUV will also feature the traditional 'Easter Eggs' spread across the SUV.

The Compass will be the first of many models expected to get a generation change.

Source: AutoExpress

The Jeep dealership changed hands in Goa in June 2023 if I remember correctly. Goa was without any Jeep dealership & SC for 6 - 7 months.

BHPian kaps1311 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

It's an interesting thread, being a JC owner for last 4 years, I would like to share my experience of recent servicing done on my JC. Having boasted about the professional approach during the purchase of my JC in 2019, It was only prudent on my side to pen my experience. I have tried to keep it unbiased and leave upto the forum to be the best judge.

The Jeep dealership changed hands in Goa in June 2023 if I remember correctly. Goa was without any Jeep dealership & SC for 6 - 7 months. The owners had to travel 150kms + to the nearest SC for service. With the new dealership & SC coming in, it was a great relief and moreover I feel lucky to have the SC adjacent to my workplace.

The 4th servicing was due and hence sort an appointment for servicing with ODO at 48K approx. Was promptly provided appointment on the 7th Feb. 

My car’s 1st Visit to SC

Reached the SC on time. They had only 2 SE’s attending the customers. May be not many vehicles coming in for servicing. I waited for the SE assigned to me to complete his previous customer. From the conversation that was taking place between them, clearly the customer wasn’t happy about something. Once he was done with, I requested for the following work required to be done on my car. 

1) Normal servicing 60K (4th service)

2) Squeaking sound while in motion. Probably from the bonnet. Felt like to metal parts rubbing against each other. 

3) Headlight alignment.

4) Wheel balancing and alignment.

We then took a test drive to check out on the squeaking sound. I pointed out squeaking sound and the SE says he has heard it and would ask the technician to address it. 

I get a call at 2.00 pm from the SE that servicing is almost done. I am told by the SE that the sound is due to worn out brake pads and rotor and needs replacement. Total cost 18k. I told him that the sound is heard when the car is in motion and not while I am applying brakes which I had clearly made him hear during the test drive of my car. Told him I would get replacement of brake pads & rotor done later.

At 4.00 pm I give a call to know if the car is ready. I am told it is and I tell the SE to keep the service bill ready so that I can pay and leave immediately. 

I reached the SC at 6.00 pm and to my surprise the car wasn’t ready. The SE was busy handling the same disgruntled customer. Had a short discussion with the customer and understand that he was in the SC throughout the day and had travelled more that 50kms and wasn’t happy with the way his concerns were handled. 

Waited patiently until 7.15 pm when the car and bill was handed over to me. 

1) The wheel alignment was not done. (Charged Rs.2,514/-)

2) Headlight alignment was not done.

3) Car was not cleaned. (Charged Rs.760/-)

4) The squeaking sound not addressed.

I was handed over a bill of Rs.24,000/-. (Rs.16,000/- parts & consumables and Rs.8,000/- labor). Was told that the car would be collected next day from my workplace for completion of remainder of the work. Then I was handed over a feedback form which I filled up giving an overall 7 points out of 10 and suggested for timely readiness and delivery of the car in the feedback form.

My car’s 2nd visit to SC

The next day on the 8th Feb there is no communication from the SE until 10.00 am. I myself gave a call reminding the SE about the pending works on my car. The car was picked up at 10.30 am from my workplace. Told the SC that I needed the car by 12.00 noon as I had to leave for a pre-scheduled meeting. 

The car is not returned until 1.30 pm. My visit to the pre-scheduled meeting had gone for a toss. The car is returned. The cleaning of the car, headlight alignment and wheel alignment were done, however the squeaking sound persisted and was not addressed. Since I had to travel, I could not follow-up on the issue.

On the 23rd Feb I got a call from the SC dealer relationship desk seeking my feedback on the servicing done. I explained the above unresolved concern and spoke for almost 10 mins. I was assured that the squeaking sound issue would be resolved and I was requested to provide 9 points out of 10 on the online feedback form from Jeep. Though I was a bit disappointed, I thought to myself being a new dealer and with limited staff it would take time for them to streamline the processes.

My car’s 3rd visit to the SC

My car was then called in on 27th Feb for repairs to the squeaking sound. Took the car there and all the while the squeaking sound persisted. The moment the car was given to the SE for a test drive no sound at all. However, the SE assured me that he is aware of the sound and would ask the technicians to address the same. At 4.00 pm I give call to the SE and he does not bother to respond. I call the SC desk and am told that the concerned technician has already left for the day and the one who is now attending to my car will give me call. I get a call at 4.30 pm and the SE gives me the same reasoning that the sound is due to worn out brake pad and rotor. It meant that the SC had not attended to my car all this while at all.

I lost my cool, gave earful to the SE and told him that it is not because of the brake pad and rotor and that the sound is continuous while car is in motion. I call the SC desk and blast her saying they have pathetic and incapable SE’s and technicians. I rush to the SC that very moment. By the time the whole SC team is at my car peeping into bonnet and inspecting the car. I request the technician to get into that car and test drive it. Guess what……..! there is pin drop silence throughout the test drive of 15 mins not a sound. I told them I would record the sound as soon as it reoccurs and share the same. 

The moment I drive out of the SC the sound appears again. All the while, the car being used that evening, the sound is heard. I immediately recorded it on my mobile. Next morning, I share it with the technician and he assures that my car will be taken up for repairs. (I am not able to upload the video recording here) For two days, no one bothers to call. On 29th evening I message and call the SC desk and escalate the same it to the GM service as well. 

My car’s 4th visit to the SC

The SC desk provides me appointment on the 4th March. Promptly handover the car to the SE. That evening I am told that there was some lose screw of front suspension plate and the same was tightened and now there was no sound. They had tested the car extensively and handed me the keys. 

As I am out of the SC and the sound reoccurs. The squeaking sound persists and now I have no more patience to take my car to SC again. Having kept my car for 4 days at different occasions there seems to be no solution with the SC. On the 9th March I get a message from the SE enquiring if the sound could be heard. I affirm him the same expecting them to pick up my car for inspection. But no response. Then 16th March I get a message and call from SC desk and I inform that the issue is not resolved. On 20th March I get a call from CR for feedback and I am shocked to hear that the SE has informed that the issue is resolved. I send the CR the recording of the squeaking sound and to date over a period of more than a month, I await the resolution of the same.

From the above experience I can summarize the following;

1) Staff is very courteous with customers at the SC. 

2) I was informed that the cost of spare parts/ servicing have increased and however the cost seems reasonable.

3) Process and procedures followed – Needs big improvement. Servicing leaves a lot to be desired.

4) Technical know how/ expertise – Overall experience they did not impress me much. Very limited staff.

5) Just because I am in the neighborhood, I managed to take the car to the SC these many times. Alas, without resolution to my concern to date.

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The Compass Night Eagle is available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed AT.

Jeep has launched the Compass Night Eagle Edition in India. The SUV is priced at Rs 25.39 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Compass Night Eagle is a limited edition featuring all-black exterior elements. The SUV gets a gloss black front grille, black roof rails, black badges and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Night Eagle Edition gets a Dashcam / rear seat entertainment unit as standard. It also comes with a panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, premium carpet mats, underbody lighting, ambient lights and an air purifier.

The Compass Night Eagle is available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine that makes 168 BHP and 350 Nm. It is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The Compass Night Eagle Edition is available in three exterior colours – Black, White and Red with a black painted roof as standard.

While we had booked a BMW 3 series and X1, we were issued an Audi A4 and a Jeep Compass 4xe.

BHPian RS01 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A long pending trip to Europe happened recently. The initial plan was for my parents to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Amsterdam for a few months. Me, my wife and kid had not planned this time due to prior work commitments. But while browsing the calendar one fine day, we spotted a window of opportunity, where two consecutive longish weekends during December end, clubbed with a few leaves, could give us around 10 days off. Hurriedly, the VISA was applied and thankfully received in time.

While we quickly shopped for winterwear, Brother and SIL meticulously planned our visit to the famous Christmas markets and a relaxing getaway for 3-4 days. Two rental cars, one SUV and one Sedan, were booked to accommodate all of us and our luggage. We reached Amsterdam on 21st December and promptly got ready for the trip the next day. While we had booked a BMW 3 series and X1, we were issued an Audi A4 and a Jeep Compass 4xe. Both cars were Automatics. A4 was in its estate configuration. Being a mild hybrid Sedan, it was more akin to my current daily driver back in Mumbai – Ciaz, in its features and drivability. Jeep, however, was a plug-in hybrid, but was given to us without the charger or any charge in the batteries. Surprisingly, both cars were without any spare wheels, as these seem to be prone to theft. We had also opted for a child seat, which was affixed to the Audi.

We brought the vehicles home and loaded our luggage. Boot space in A4-estate was larger and it accommodated most of our bags. The ladies opted for A4 and the men dutifully moved to the Jeep.I took to the wheel and, I must say, driving a left-hand drive vehicle seemed awkward for the initial few kilometers. Brother took the responsibility of navigation and we decided to lead the way as onboard GPS seemed to show an easier route through the city.

We started around noon towards Cologne, Germany. The jeep felt pretty heavy and the engine seemed to pull with effort at slow speeds, but was more relaxed once on the highway. European cities and highways have much higher speed limits than back here in India. Although it was fun to drive at such speeds, a standard Mumbaikar, driving daily for hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic, is always subconsciously cautious of someone jumping from somewhere right in front of you or cutting across from the wrong side. This clubbed with the daunting task of keeping the vehicle strictly within the two white lines on the road, was honestly stressful!! (I later learned that the vehicle was more at fault than me though, more on this in a bit). The drive otherwise was enjoyable and it was dark when we reached Cologne and checked in to our hotel. We promptly changed and rushed to the Christmas markets in the city. We used public transport for the city visits as many places were no vehicle zones and finding a parking nearby would have been a challenge.

The Christmas markets turned out to be very interesting with festivities in full swing and shops selling festive items and food. While we tried some local delicacies, interestingly, we also found a Nepalese stall selling chole-chawal and momos. The next morning was spent visiting the Cathedral, gorging on spectacular city views atop the Koln Triangle, buying fragrances and perfumes, and having lunch, before departing to Valkenberg.

We even spotted a Car with wings atop a museum.

Instead of checking into a hotel, we stayed at a beautiful, river-facing bungalow in Valkenberg. The place was quite serene. Occasionally, we saw barge ships quietly using the river for people and material transportation. We visited the famous Cave Market, which is a market in the labyrinth of passageways underneath the old castle of the city. The next morning, we drove to the Three-country-point, Dreilandenpunt, which is a meeting point of three country borders – Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. We entered through the Netherlands, crossed Germany, and parked our cars in Belgium, all within a matter of minutes. After a lot of photographs and a good lunch, we left the place to drive back home.

In the Schengen Area, one can drive freely between countries and there are no stoppages or toll plazas to demarcate the international borders. On the highways, one can sense slight changes in the road conditions between the countries. Highways in the Netherlands were more well-maintained and well-lit than those in Germany and Belgium.

During the trip, we had the pleasure of driving in varied driving conditions. We covered 840 kilometers in 4 days and encountered clear weather, rains, strong winds, storms, and snow. Shorter December days meant part of the driving was through the night. This gave us ample opportunity to test the vehicles under varied circumstances.

Although some ADAS features on the Jeep were useful and enjoyable, others were outright annoying. It had Adaptive Cruise Control but, at triple-digit speeds, the distance for the vehicle to ‘adapt’ was a little too less in my opinion. I’m not sure if the distance between cars for Adaptive CC to kick in is a static configuration or is dynamic based on speed, but I must admit, at times, it got frighteningly close to the vehicle in front before slowing down to match the speed. I had to manually override in a few instances and brake.

Headlights’ throw was very poor and was constantly on the low beam; couldn’t be switched to the high beam no matter what I did. This was really frustrating in some low-light situations.

Now, for the lane keep assist. This was a major reason for my stress during the trip. Every time the vehicle steered away from the white lane markings, it gave a loud beep until it was steered back between the lanes. Pretty standard, no problem. But the trouble was that it veered away quite often. Initially, I though the lane markings were too close for a big vehicle, but seeing much bigger trucks on the same lanes negated that possibility. First day, I couldn’t do much other than keep it within the lanes and drive. Once we reached the hotel, I performed some quick tests, and my doubts were confirmed that the wheel alignment was way off. The Jeep always steered off to the right, with or without steering input. IMHO, it was a rented 4-wheel drive vehicle and might have been put to harsh conditions previously and may not have been maintained accordingly.

Some other observations on the Jeep:

• Ingress and egress were easier compared to the sedan.

• Seat was comfortable for long-distance driving. The steering had a rake and reach adjustments.

• The music system was brilliant. Songs on the Radio sounded quite good.

• Jeep was a serious Fuel Guzzler. It had 3 buttons towards the left of the steering wheel – Petrol, Hybrid, and Electric. To open the petrol tank lid, one must press this Petrol button. The fuel tank did not have a cap. Instead, the nozzle was to be inserted through a rubber contraption. We had to refuel it 4 times, whereas Audi was refueled only twice. We did not get to test it on electric mode and the batteries did not charge during the run for hybrid either.

• The back seat of the Jeep felt cramped. My 6+ ft. father felt stuck in the back seat with very little space all around. The dark interiors further made the place less roomy. The boot was also not very spacious.

• Engine grunt was audible in the cabin at most speeds and more so when it accelerated. Vibrations were felt throughout the journey.

In contrast, the Audi was so smooth that there was hardly anything to write about. I drove it for a while and it was a totally different experience. The comfy drive and cozy child seat ensured that my kid slept through most of the journey. No vibrations or engine noise were noticed. Fuel efficiency was much higher and it had ample space for its occupants.

Overall, the trip was very enjoyable and refreshed us thoroughly. Hope you enjoyed reading as much as we enjoyed the trip.

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We had planned to drive through the newly built Delhi Mumbai expressway.

BHPian aayusht recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Delhi NCR Jeep group travel to Ranthambore

Overview

Over the long weekend of 26th January 2024, as part of the Delhi NCR jeep owners group, I organised a trip to Ranthambore. We had planned to drive through the newly built Delhi-Mumbai expressway. It was meant to be for two nights and we stayed at Ranthambore Heritage Haveli. I have written a brief review of the property on TripAdvisor as well. The trip was originally planned for 8-10 Jeep families, however, finally, 5 families were able to make it.

The group that finally made it.

Day 1

We started around 8:45 am from Gurgaon after everyone assembled and planned to stop only for bio breaks. We had all planned to carry some simple breakfast - things that can be consumed as finger foods - parathas/sandwiches. We made it a potluck. Since I had been on this expressway a few times over the past 6 months I was aware that there would be limited options for meals.

The estimated travel time was about 4 hours but in reality, it took us about 5.5 hours. The expressway had dense fog for the first 2-3 hours and when we stopped for a bio break we realised that the pit stop place did not have the bathrooms operational. We ended up then pulling into the next pit stop point only to realize that it was the one with McDonald’s and the crowd could only be described as one would see at a kumbh mela (for those who are unfamiliar with the reference here - the place was massively crowded). It took us all about 40 - 45 minutes to get through the long washroom queues. Lesson learned- on this expressway in the near future- be prepared for massive crowds, especially over long weekends, and if you haven’t planned your departure time smartly.

The drive in the morning - poor visibility

Our pit stop at McDonald's

After the bio breaks, we gathered around our jeeps to share our packed breakfasts and had ice-breaking conversations (quite apt for the cold weather that time).

When we hit the highway again, we were able to make up for the slow speeds in the fog. Note to other travelers on this expressway - be aware of the interceptor vans in addition to the speed cameras mounted on pillars.

Towards the last 7-10km towards the hotel, Google Maps took us through very narrow roads - some of our jeeps got scratched by tree branches and also bikers squeezing past in opposite directions. Later on, the hotel management team told us that we could have taken a slightly different route, had we spoken to the Hotel team and avoided the narrow passage.

Lesson learnt- don’t blindly follow Google Maps especially when going to new places.

We were lucky to get 6 cottages in one corner of the hotel, giving us our own private space. Kudos to the hotel owner - Mr Rajender for arranging everything.

Most of the remainder of the day was spent lazing around, sitting in the sun, and in the evening, having some snacks and drinks around a bonfire that the hotel had set up.

Around the bonfire

Day 2

Early in the morning some of us woke up to go for a wildlife Safari (at least those who could get the bookings done in time). We headed out at around 6:30 AM from the hotel.

Lesson learned- Such early morning Safaris are avoidable if you are unable to bear biting cold winds. I had 4 layers of warm clothes and still felt like I was in the Nights’ Watch (those not familiar - it’s a Game of Thrones reference).

I got some company.. this bird was perched on my head

Sadly most of us could not see any tigers in Zone 6. Later I learnt that a few other tourists were able to spot tigers in other zones. Tiger sightings are a matter of luck.

No tiger sighting, but...

Once we returned, we had breakfast, continued to laze around in the sun, and took some photos around the hotel.

Photos from the hotel

Most of us did not have a Safari booked in the second half of the day. One family did and soon after an early lunch at the hotel headed for the second Safari. Sadly they could not spot a tiger in their second attempt either.

Those of us who did not go for the second Safari ended up heading into town with the objective of visiting the Ranthambore fort but once we landed there we saw that the police were regulating the flow of the traffic. There were too many people that day visiting the fort. Just to enter the area going up to the fort there was a queue with a waiting time of over an hour. We all decided to skip the visit to the fort. Some of us went to a nice restaurant (Fateh’s cafe) while others went to visit the Chambal Valley River Safari to spot crocodiles. These friends still spotted the crocodiles unlike those who went to spot a tiger. At least some of us got to see wildlife as part of the trip.

In the evening that day - my wife, friends Anshul, Sohrabh, and I went to explore uncharted territory around the hotel. A few photographs below will provide an indication of what sort of places we were exploring.

Exploring unchartered territory

Anshul with his drone

Video

It was fun driving on unpaved roads where we ended up doing mild off-roading. This turned out to be the highlight of our trip. We enjoyed this so much that we got other jeep families to the same spot the following morning.

Just before dinner, we hired a local astronomer (Sunil Sharma) who carried a huge telescope and we spent over an hour doing star gazing. That one hour was really enjoyable - worth every penny spent. Sunil was so passionate about his work and astronomy that he seemed to enjoy answering our queries no matter how trivial and took time to make sure everyone in our group got a chance to see stars, and galaxies and know the historical significance.

We wrapped up the night with casual chit chats, and games of cards around the porch area of cottage rooms.

Day 3

After tea & a few snacks, we went to the spot near the hotel where we continued our mild off-roading adventures.

When we all tried to trail behind each other on roads that didn't exist

Video

Suhas who got his Trail Hawk also attempted to explore the Trail Hawks's capabilities.

Around 11 am after a very heavy breakfast, we all started back towards Delhi NCR.

Sadly Anshul’s car met with a small accident- while everyone inside the car was safe - the Jeep ended up in the service center for over a week. Lesson learned - with rash tempo drivers and wandering cows on highways- maintain sufficient distance (even when you are driving slow).

Anshul's car at the service centre

Most photo credits to Prerna, Saurabh Gune, Suhas, Anshul & Sohrabh

Signing off with a picture of the new expressway

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The final decision was between Honda Elevate (top variant - ZX automatic) and Jeep Compass (Base variant - Longitude Diesel automatic).

BHPian  Subramag recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Happy New Year to all.

Last post, I mentioned troubles with my Magnite and decided to sell it, within a year of purchase. And looking at other options.

After trying a few options, the final decision was between Honda Elevate (top variant - ZX automatic) and Jeep Compass (Base variant - Longitude Diesel automatic).

Here are some of the things that made us stick to these two. Mentioning some of the elements that drove the decision for me.

Location - Chennai

Honda Elevate

• Sober smooth drive in ZX auto. (I owned City ivtec from 2009, so knew this engine and gearbox).
• Only interior we liked was the top end.
• Was not happy with the drive seat adjustment, but read some of the reviews, where lowering the seat height was helpful.
• Cost of 20L on the road was easier on the pocket (than the Jeep).
• Was not happy with the amount of plastics in the engine bay compared to my 2009 city.
• Reason to consider- interior, known engine, easy on the pocket, trust in Honda reliability (all other features did not make a difference in the decision)
• Issue faced - Blue color in top-end availability, in spite of booking in Aug 2023.

Jeep Compass

• Sturdy vehicle, with a responsive engine. Fiat sourced engine had good feedback.
• Diesel 4x2 TC auto gearbox saved a few lacks. (this came only in 2023 and basic entry criteria into the Jeep Compass automatic diesel territory price point)
• Was impressed with the drive. Very different from Honda. (both are different styles of drive).
• Interior was lighter in color. Did not look couped up.
• Was 10 lacs more than the Honda Elevate, but with my Merc GLA nearing 7 years old, I needed a rugged car that could munch miles...
• Base model (Longitude) was good enough and had all the stuff that I needed. The higher model had a sunroof, bigger info, and full leatherette seats - all I did not need. Probably would miss the additional airbags.
• Reason to consider that made difference - ruggedness, interior, spirited drive (as compared to Honda).
• Issues faced - Silver color is based on model availability.

Common issue

• The TN tax went up by 5% and the cost of Jeep went up by 1.5L. (So did Honda).

Direction taken

• We waited close to 2 months - we decided to go with the car that got allocated first. Both cars, we liked, in different ways.

The Jeep Compass came first, after 1.5 months. (Honda could not even tell me how long it would take).

Final checks

People had warned me about Jeep Compass (incl Team-bhp). Verified with 3 people (friends and relatives) who owned Jeep Compass - feedback was a great car. All of them enjoyed the car. But if you get into accidents etc, it takes a long time for parts and service is not the best.

Opted for a 5-year warranty and 5-year service pack.

Some options we discarded

• No Hyundai for me. (somehow dislike the brand after three Hyundai in the family, 2 owned by me - i20 and Elantra).
• Kia, VW, and Skoda came in a 23-25 budget, but we felt it was a compromise. For that price, Jeep made a better sense at 5L extra.
• Toyota (or Maruti) hyryder hybrid was ok, but was not to my taste, and felt that it lacked power. Toyota showroom in Chennai did not even bother to give us decent attention. (They had too many customers, losing a few did not matter, I guess). Interestingly, in Toyota, if you have an open mind and want to try different segments, you get tossed between salesmen.

Initial drive impression

In the city, the jeep compass gave a 9kmph.

In the highway, at a decent steep of 100kmph, I got 18+ kmph. (pls refer to snaps). Long drive from Chennai to Pune.

Fingers crossed, hope the experience with Jeep is not bad

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Already have an automatic Honda City for family runs and long drives. Jimny fits perfectly as a second car and the Thunder Edition discounts sealed the deal.

BHPian Catamaran recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi all,

Got delivery of my Bluish Black Alpha AT on 18th December. The delivery was a bit delayed on time, however was fully satisfied with the support provided by the sales advisor from Indus Motors.

Recently sold my Jeep Compass Petrol Manual (wonderful car, but manual gear in Kerala roads is getting more and more difficult). Already have an automatic Honda City for family runs and long drives.

Jimny fits perfectly as a second car and the Thunder Edition discounts sealed the deal.

Likes:

• Go anywhere capability
• Perfect size for city runs
• Practicality of a compact SUV (4 doors and the boot)

Dislikes

• Engine performance in highways and climbs are just adequate. You need to change your driving style to suit the car
• Lack of storage space

No alternatives were considered as there are hardly any thing comparable to the Jimny, be it in India or abroad. The Thar was never in my list. I feel the Thar excels in its Macho appearance and speed, where as the Jimny for its practicality, ride and city usage. The off-road capabilities are more or less similar for both cars especially for wannabe off-roaders like me. I'm not sure if the two cars are comparable except for the 4x4 capabilities.

I got the car for 16 Lakhs on road including extended warranty and all other tings. I live in Dubai and enquired on the newly launched 5 door Jimny here. The ex showroom price was AED 90,000 (INR 20.3 Lakhs) for the top end automatic, however with a promised delivery within 8 months only. This visit to the Dubai Suzuki dealer made the decision making much easier.

Regarding the discounts, I heard two different stories. The first was the high production according to the initial hype and bookings, with many cars remaining unsold due to the booking cancellations. Second was that these cars were produced for export however got rejected due to one quality issue (not sure what it is), and Maruti decided to sell these in India at a lower price.

Driven the car for around 600kms mainly in city and from Kochi to Munnar, Thekkady and back. Enjoyed every moment. If you understand the car and its limitations, it's good fun. you only feel a bit embarrassed when some manual swift or I20s slot in their third gear and zoom past you. But then I just tell them .. You cant go anywhere near where i can. The car is pretty rare, I could not spot many Jimnys and people still turn there heads.

Mileage I noticed was between 9 to 10 on mountain roads and around 11 to 12 on normal Kerala highways and city. Not sure if it will improve post first service. Being an NRI, my running is very limited. Hence this is not much of an issue.

Fit and finish feels solid. The car is exactly of the same quality as the one I saw in Dubai, so no cost cutting compared to international versions. having driven Yeti and Compass previously in India, i do not feel the quality is much compromised, and this is a comparable car except for its engine power, at a much lower price.

Accessories fitted:

• Tires changed to Yokohoma Geolander 215-75-15
• New Grill
• Roof Rack
• Ladder
• Centre arm rest
• Horn
• Mats
• Side door cladding
• Mud flaps
• Fancy number charges
• Total - approximate 1 lakh.

The front seat comfort is excellent. Haven't tried the back seats, so not able to comment. I find the ride quality to be supple. the port holes are not felt much. I think the ladder frame construction helps. The view from front seat is excellent. The car has absolutely no storage and this is a bit irritating. You don't know where to securely keep a bottle of water. The AC is very good and I was keeping on 26 degree throughout. The gear shifts are not felt, car is very quite at normal RPMs and gets a bit boomy above 3000RPM.

Steering feel is good with enough weight , however a bit hard on parking speeds and due to its high turning radius. Handling is good considering it's a body on frame car. All in all I'm fully satisfied with the purchase.

Few questions and my answers:

Would you recommend this as a primary car for city use - Yes (if the gas mileage is okay for you)

Would you recommend this as a primary car for highway use - Never

Would you recommend this as a primary car for mixed city / highway use - Can be, depending on your priorities. please test drive before making a decision.

Would you recommend this as a second car for mixed city and highway use - Yes (with a compromise on highway speeds)

Would you recommend this for off-road / rural use - Yes (If you are Okay with its gas mileage)

Having dreamt of owning a Gypsy from my childhood days, this was a dream come true. The price cut from Maruti made it easier. I actually test drove the car in August. With an on road price of 18 lakhs plus which I thought was a bit high on what it offered, I embraced on all its negatives to somehow make up mind that the car was no good. Now when i drive my own Jimny, it's exactly opposite of what i felt during my first drive. My advise to whoever wants to own this gem from Suzuki, this is the right time, provided you are at peace with your better half.

Some pictures from the recent Munnar Drive

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The 2024 Compass features an upgraded Level 2 ADAS suit with over 80 safety features.

Jeep has upgraded the 2024 Compass for the European markets with new tech.

The 2024 Compass features an upgraded Level 2 ADAS suit with over 80 safety features. These include Drowsy Driver Detection, Pedestrian/Cyclist Automatic Emergency Braking, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Active Lane Management, and Rear Cross Path detection. The system is no longer restricted to highway use only.

The 2024 Compass is available in four trims - Altitude, Summit, Overland and Trailhawk. The Altitude trim gets 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, while the Summit variant rides on 19-inch alloys and gets ventilated seats.

The Offroad and Trailhawk trims are more off-road focused. The former has a raised ride height and comes fitted with all-terrain tyres, while the Trailhawk variant is equipped with skid plates and Jeep's Slec-Terrain 4x4 system.

In Europe, the Compass is offered with two engine options. These include a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system. It features an 11.4 kWh battery offering an electric-only range of around 48 km.

The Compass and Meridian are available with benefits of up to Rs 2.05 lakh and Rs 4.85 lakh, respectively.

Jeep has announced year-end benefits on its products. This includes a massive discount of Rs 11.85 lakh on its flagship Grand Cherokee.

In India, the Grand Cherokee is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 270 BHP and 400 Nm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and Jeep’s Quadratrac 4x4 system offering four terrain modes – Auto, Sport, Mud / Sand and Snow.

Jeep is also offering attractive benefits on the Compass and Meridian SUVs. The former gets a discount of Rs 2.05 lakh, which includes a cash discount of Rs 1.5 lakh, an exchange bonus of Rs 25,000 and corporate benefits worth Rs 15,000. Jeep is also offering special benefits worth Rs 15,000 for doctors, leasing companies and partners.

The Jeep Meridian is available with benefits of up to Rs 4.85 lakh. These include a cash discount of up to Rs 4 lakh, an exchange benefit of Rs 25,000 and a corporate discount of Rs 30,000. Doctors, leasing companies and partners can avail of an additional discount of Rs 30,000 on the top-spec Overland variant. 

The 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine has already been used in the Renegade.

Jeep is said to be working on a new 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine for the Indian market. The new motor is expected to power the Compass SUV in a couple of years.

The 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine has already been used in the Renegade. However, it would have to be calibrated and homologated for the Indian market. That being said, the process might already be underway.

A camouflaged prototype of the Compass was recently spotted testing. It is probably being used as a test bed for the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. 

Jeep currently offers two versions of the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol unit. The 128 BHP version is mated to a 6-speed manual, while the 148 BHP version gets a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Source: Rushlane