Jeep Compass: something for everyone
The Jeep Compass was launched in South Africa this month and with its ability to take you from city traffic to rough rock-climbing, it really is something for everyone.
It is based on the Dodge Caliber and uses the same two-litre VW turbodiesel that delivers 103kW at 4000rpm and 310Nm from 1750 – 2500. It also comes in a petrol version, which delivers 125kW at 6000 and 220Nm at 4500rpm with its 2.4-litre engine.
It comes with a five-speed manual or a belt-driven CVT semi-auto transmission. The five-speed manual box is fairly conventional and the semi-auto is rather modern – it moves to auto stick mode when you pull the gearshifter towards you and hold it for a moment. Then when you move the shifter to the side will shift it up or down through a series of six gears which are actually pre-selected positions on the twin cones.
The diesel is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox but that’s okay, because it is an easy-revving unit that is completely capable of driving in town and overtaking in small spaces.
Below 16km/h you can engage the toggle switch on the centre console that locks the centre diff into a 50:50 torque split. When going above 16km/h it disengages itself and this works wonders on the playground. The power steering doesn’t make it less comfortable on the tracks.
The interior is elegant but also practical and even though it’s got a lot of plastic finishes, you still get the leather seats, air-conditioning and power windows. A nine-speaker Boston Acoustics radio/CD/MP3 set-up is standard and crash bags, ABS and electronic stability control also comes with the Compass, just in case.
Prices range fro R244 900 for the 2.4-litre manual to R279 900 for the 2.0 CRD and they all come with a three-year or 100 000km warranty and service plan. Sounds really good…
This article hasn't been commented yet.
Write a comment