FirstDrive: Jeep CompassJeep is hoping to steer away from its traditional gas-guzzling image with the new Compass. Donal Byrnereports
For many Americans, the right to drive a vehicle that guzzles gas, weighs a couple of tonnes and belches emissions has almost become another amendment to the constitution.
This has been especially true of Jeep drivers, many of whom see the brand as an American icon of freedom, independence and, to put it bluntly, macho culture.
Until now, that is.
With the introduction of the new Jeep Compass, the Jeep marque has gone soft and the company is even hoping to attract more women to its customer base. The company is also hoping that more young people, and those with smaller budgets, will see the Jeep as an alternative to conventional cars.
And there is no doubt that the Compass is Jeep's most car-like vehicle to date. There are none of the hard edges, the high muscular lines or the sheer bulge of bigger Jeeps.
Instead, the Compass bears a very close resemblance indeed to its sibling from the Dodge stable, the Caliber. Both are based on the same platform, although the Compass is slightly bigger.
The Compass has a much lower and user friendly position on the road. Stepping in does not involve a steep upward climb. Its front lights are rounded, the flanks smooth and the rear nicely finished.
One styling cue is quite unusual - the rear door handles fit into the upper part of the door frame but instead of being recessed, as they were originally fitted on the Alfa Romeo 156, they jut slightly outwards. The grille, however, is still unmistakably Jeep and there is no real identity issue about the Compass.
Inside there is a lot of plastic framing the large dashboard, something that indicates that this is not just a small Jeep, it is also a less expensive one. But again, there is a rugged theme running here and the Compass is intended to remind one of Jeep's functional and utilitarian roots. The Jeep distributors in Ireland are at pains to stress this is not a crossover vehicle (the current buzzword applies to cars that have been given a make-over to look like four wheel drives). "This is definitely not a crossover because it is a fully fledged four wheel drive. The marketing term we are using to describe it is "urban recreational vehicle", says a spokesman.
Jeep is also chasing the diesel market, using a 2.0-litre direct injection diesel sourced from Volkswagen. It is the only engine being sold here because the increase in sales in SUV's recently has had a diesel bias of over half. The engine certainly packs plenty of punch with an output of 140 horse power and a very good range of torque, or pulling power, available.
Again, however, it feels more workhorse-like than other diesels and sounds a bit that way too. Those looking for an engine that will be able to do a lot more than be just fuel efficient should find it a good option though.
Jeep also says the Compass is the first Jeep to offer fuel economy of under 7.01 litres per 100 kilometres, which is a very good figure and shows the wisdom of seeking to source the engine from VW. It is capable enough of moving the Compass with speed and smoothness and is an adequate size. It will also attract a lower level of VRT than a bigger diesel engine would have.
When it comes to price the Compass will find favour with many. It costs €33,395, plus delivery charges. At that price one can overlook the small number of no frills aspects of the package and look at the extras that come as standard. Multiple airbags, a stability programme, brake assist, an anti-roll programme, four wheel drive, ABS and a rough road "detector" are matched by air conditioning, alloy wheels, electric windows, heated front seats, leather trimmed upholstery, alloy wheels and the usual Jeep compass in the dashboard. There is even a detachable torch that sits inside the vehicle for use when needed.
A brief drive in the Compass showed it to be capable of dealing with rough and smooth surfaces alike. Another first for the Compass is front wheel drive for a Jeep, which some purists may see as heresy. It is, however, a good compromise and full four wheel drive can be easily engaged while on the move.
Jeep has also introduced a new generation of its Wrangler model, which comes with more expensive and less environmentally friendly engines in 2.4-litre petrol and 2.8-litre diesel engines. If the Compass represents the future for Jeep, then the Wrangler represents the past. It is purely an American muscle vehicle that won't have wide appeal. It comes in at €38,795 for the two-door model and €42,495 for the three-door model.
Factfile
FORMAT:Surprisingly car-like four wheel drive
ON SALE:Now
ENGINE:2.0-litre direct injection diesel with 140 horse power
PRICE:€33.995, plus delivery extras
STANDARD EXTRAS:Air conditioning, alloy wheels, electric windows, heated front seats, leather trimmed upholstery