Jeep Compass. Style and comfort for the city and off-road
Additional information was added about the restyling in April 2021.
Jeep Compass is a compact 5-door SUV that has been produced by the Jeep ‘Off-Road’ Division of the Italian-American automaker, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, since 2006. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions are available.
Two generations of the Compass have already been presented, and the last generation, released in 2016, is available on the Israeli market. In the lineup of ‘jeeps’ the Compass is between the Jeep Wrangler SUV (‘Jeep Renegade’ since 2014) and the larger Jeep Cherokee SUV.
The first generation
The first generation Jeep Compass was produced for 10 years - from 2006 to 2016. Throughout this time, it was restyled twice: in 2011 and in 2013. The first Jeep Compass was built on a completely new Chrysler PM/MK platform, developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi, Japan. In addition, the very first 2007-2010 pre-styling Compass models did not have car logo badges on the side behind the front fenders, which were added only in 2011, making the SUV look as we know it now.
After the restyling in 2011, the Compass began to resemble the Jeep Grand Cherokee and got an upgraded suspension for better steering response. Its exterior became more aggressive, in line with global SUV design trends. First of all, the radiator grille, front optics and front fenders were changed, and a muffler had a chrome tip. Moreover, the 2011 Jeep Compass boasted an improved interior with a lot of standard equipment, as well as as an optional special ‘off-road’ Freedom Drive II Off-Road package, which included an infinitely variable transmission, all-terrain tires with 17-inch aluminum wheels, protective plastic shields, four-wheel drive system and increased ground clearance by 2.5 centimeters.
After the second restyling in 2013, the Jeep Compass could boast a new interior and an automatic transmission, which replaced the Japanese infinitely variable transmission. And this is a very important acquisition! After all, the infinitely variable unit of the first generation Compass sometimes failed to properly dispose of the torque entrusted to it: it avoided energetic accelerations, lazily pushing the tachometer arrow up and making the engine roar indignantly.
The manufacturer positions the Jeep Compass as a vehicle for serious off-road conquest. However, despite the fact that this model has better off-road performance than many other SUVs, it is still far from a real SUV.
The second generation
The second generation Jeep Compass, presented at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, actually did not come in the market until a year later. The second Compass has become larger and more beautiful than the previous one. The shape of the headlights with diode daytime running lights has changed, and there is a chrome piping at the top of the window and down the trunk lid window. The radiator grille has retained its traditional style. The bumper boasts a center slot, additional horizontal lights and round fog lamps. The massive lower part is made of plastic to maintain off-road capabilities. As a result, the 2nd generation Jeep Compass became almost a mini-version of the Grand Cherokee.
The suspension of the second Jeep Compass is taken from the SCCS platform on which the Italian Fiat 500X SUV is built, comprising the front McPherson struts and the rear independent multi-link suspension. Off-road performance: 26.8 degree approach angle and 31.6 degree departure angle.
The manufacturer positions the Jeep Compass as a vehicle for serious off-road conquest. However, despite the fact that this model has better off-road performance than many other SUVs, it is still far from a real SUV. On the other hand, this is a truly stylish and comfortable vehicle with an eye-catching exterior and an advanced exterior.
2021 restyling
In April, the manufacturer presented the restyled Jeep Compass for Europe. It is easy to recognize the vehicle that was shown to the public in China in the fall. This model is important for the manufacturer: it accounts for 40% of Jeep sales in Europe. The restyled Compass is the first Jeep to be produced in the Old World by Stellantis, formed after the merger of the Italian-American automobile maker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with the PSA Group (France).
The vehicle has acquired narrower headlights with running lights located in their upper part, while the fog lights and radar sensors were moved higher. The tailgate is now equipped with an electric drive and a sensor, thanks to which you can open it by simply swinging your foot.
The interior has been designed from scratch with new front panel architecture, a different center tunnel and a steering wheel. The virtual dashboard comprises a 10.25-inch screen, the Uconnect 5 multimedia system display diagonal is 8.4 or 10.1 inches. The system supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. At the same time, the vehicle has kept the traditional gear selector and analogue climate control. This is the first Jeep model on the European market to feature Highway Assist, an adaptive cruise control with the lane keeping function.
