Shopping for a compact crossover? You're not
alone.
Combining fuel economy, versatility and competitive
price points, these 'cute-utes' have become ubiquitous throughout the
streetscapes of Chicagoland and beyond.
Crossovers may
resemble their older, bulkier cousin, the sport utility vehicle (SUV) from an
outside perspective, but unlike the body-on-frame, truck-based SUV, crossovers
ride upon lighter weight, uni-body platforms utilized in traditional four-door
sedans while retaining slightly higher seating positions and a
versatile lift back door.
During the first half of
2018, the three top-selling 'cars' (defined as vehicles built from a uni-body
platform), were three compact crossovers: the Nissan Rouge, Toyota
RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
The Compass compact crossover finds
itself well positioned to muscle its way into this frantic fray.
Jeep's long lineage of go-anywhere attitude dates back 75 years boasting the
most colorful narrative within the burgeoning crossover community.
Compass
tops most rivals within the uni-body crowd in light-duty off-roading; quite
effective at outperforming the cast when knee-deep snow drifts eventually find
their way to Chicagoland.
Compass debuted in the 2007 model
year and during its first generation (2007-2016) called nearby Belvedere
Illinois its production home. In 2017, a second generation Compass
with significant improvements debuted with a global outlook attached to its
mission statement as it's now available in more than 100 countries.
Sizewise
within Jeep's uni-body product hierarchy, Compass slots between the subcompact
Renegade and mid-size Cherokee crossover. The next step up, Jeep's
Grand Cherokee, best describes as a larger-sized mid-sized crossover.
Four
Compass trim levels return in 2018: Sport, Latitude, Limited and
Trailhawk. All sans the Trailhawk come with the choice of 4 x 2 front
wheel drive or 4 x 4 four-wheel drive. This marks a slight update
from 2017 when Limited models were 4 x 4 exclusive. Trailhawk remains an
off-road specialist boasting exclusive 4 x 4 underpinnings and an additional
'rock' selection and hill decent control within an electronic dial-driven
Selec-Terrain. The three remaining trims when ordered with 4 x 4
include four selec-terrain choices: snow, mud, sand and default Auto.
A majority of 4 x 4 trims sport 'Jeep
Active Drive,' a full-time all-wheel drive requiring virtually no driver
intervention. 'Jeep Active Drive Low,' a class-exclusive full-time 4
x 4 system with a 20:1 crawl ratio, resides solely in Trailhawk.
Both
4 x 4 systems are capable of sending 100 percent available torque to any one
wheel when slippage gets detected, a quality put to the test during a stop at
Fiat Chrysler Automobile's (FCA's) Michigan proving grounds.
Compass
models sold in North America feature a 2.4-liter four-cylinder,
naturally-aspirated (non-turbocharged) engine cranking out 180 horses standard
(average at best within the segment) with three available transmissions
depending upon trim level and drivetrain selected.
A
class-exclusive nine-speed automatic is comes standard in 4 x 4 Limited and
Trailhawk (optional in 4 x 4 Latitude and Sport) with a six-speed automatic sprinkled
elsewhere. A base six-speed manual comes standard in Sport and 4 x 4 Latitudes.
Gone is a rather pokey continually variable transmission (CVT) present during
the first-generation.
During an annual "What's
New?" media invite to FCA providing grounds in Chelsea, Michigan
(about 12 miles west of Ann Arbor) in June, Compass joined several other FCA
vehicles tackling a well-choreographed 35-mimute off-road loop
usually the privy of FCA employees and engineers. While Wranglers, Cherokees and
Ram trucks awaited their turn within the murky confines, Compass caught my
attention. Of all the staged vehicles, Compass looked the most out of
sorts with the most to prove.
FCA's Lyman Trail serves as a
qualifying proving ground. Before reaching showroom, vehicles bearing
the Jeep logo must pass through the muck and pass muster through sandy bottoms,
rocky roads and purposefully uneven terrains to verify readiness.
The
Compass trim provided, a 2019 Trailhawk, followed behind a 2019 Cherokee in
front and in front of a 2019 Ram 1500 pickup. Compass dazzled, never
letting this driver down as one tire gripped and propelled through pocketed
terrain, muscled through mud and handled steep downhill declines with
poise. No one got stuck.
During a full week of
testing this month, Jeep dropped off a 2018 4 x 4 vinyl-seat Latitude with a
$24,395 base price. Options added up quickly (including $1,500 for the
nine-speed transmission) for a $36,390 bottom line.
Jeep's
familiar seven-slot grille returns upfront with a Goldilocks inspired 'not to
big...not too small, but just right' sizing, complimenting, wrap-around
headlight housing, not as narrow as the recently redesigned Jeep Cherokee's.
Composite cladding frames and protects bottom fenders and doors with wheel
wells squared off rather than rounded.
Automatic
transmissions features start/stop technology, a system popularized within
gas-electric hybrid community, that has quickly jumped species to conventional
internal combustion engines to extend fuel economy. During prolonged
stops, the engine shuts down temporarily until prompted to re-engage by lifting
the right foot off the brake pedal. The Compass start/stop system
remains rather intrusive; with pronounced shake-rattle-and-roll
startups. A button near the rear of the floor-mounted
transmission shifter disengages start/stop, and was utilized often during the
week.
Marketed as a five seater, Compass accommodates four
with optimal comfort, especially when utilizing row two's fold-down center arm
rest. During a three hour drive to the Waterpark capital of the
World, an eight-year-old human and 14-year-old K-9 found their surroundings
conveniently nap-inducing, much to the delight of the over-50 adults up
front. When nap time ends and occupants shuttled out, seatbacks fold
flat onto cushions opening up a usable 59.8 cubic feet space.
The
rather diminutive fuel tank accommodates 13.5 gallons of regular, 87-octane
fuel. Gasoline travels through a self-sealing capless fuel lead negating the
need for a twist-and-tether cap. The 30 mile-per-gallon estimated highway
mileage is a step up from Gen One Compass, and average when stacked up against
the wealth of competition.
Jeep carries forward with FCA's
well-designed and user-friendly multi-function center touch screen, with
accompanying large tactile twist knobs and large, quickly recognizable push
buttons sporting both icons and words.
Complimenting
human/machine interactions, secondary volume and station preset tactile tabs
mounted on the steering wheel's back side, allowing finger tips to do searches
while in a natural drive-ready grip. Many FCA vehicles boast this
design, one of the best the industry offers. A fourth-generation of FCA's
'UConnect' includes Apple Car Play and Android Auto (standard in Trailhawk and
Limited, optional in Sport and Latitude), both allowing smartphone interaction
with our Latitude's 8.4-inch in-dash center screen.
An
electronic push-start button locates on the manually-adjusting
tilt-and-telescoping steering column. Above, a quick read instrument panel
includes two analog circular gauges with a multi-panel digital screen in
between. Selecting a particular screen takes place via push-button on
the steering wheel's 9 o'clock face. Cruise control settings reside at the 3
o'clock face position.
2018 Jeep CompassPrice
as tested: 36,390
Engine: 2.4-liter, four cylinder
Horsepower:
180
Overall Length: 173 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Overall Width: 73.8 inches
Fuel
Economy: 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
Powertrain
Warranty: Five years, 60,000 miles
Assembly: Toluca, Mexico