JEEP COMPASS: NO FAKE
A real jeep in a sea of compact SUVs
The fastest growing automotive segment in recent years is compact SUV models. However, its flooding with representatives of various manufacturers has led to a slight feeling of fake. That is, to offer us a car that looks like an SUV, but is not. The new Jeep Compass is not like that (although its base version is front-wheel drive only). This is a real jeep in a more compact form, in which there is not a drop of fake.
In fact, it's good to point out how compact it is.
When it was born in 2006, the Compass was the smallest in the Jeep lineup. They later made the Renegade even smaller. With dimensions of 4394 mm long, 1819 mm wide, 1647 mm high and 2636 mm in wheelbase, the Compass is more likely to be categorized as a mid-size SUV. Regardless of which column you put it in, however, you get a surprisingly large interior space for five adults and a contented trunk (458 liters, expanding to 1269 liters when the rear seats are lowered) with simple maneuverable and parking exterior dimensions.
The technology on board is state-of-the-art and with a high level of equipment, you control most of the functions from the huge 8,4-inch screen in the center console. The quality of the materials used is also at a surprisingly high level. The design of a real jeep with 7 vertical slots on the radiator, a powerful bumper that makes the "look" of modern headlights somewhat arrogant, and trapezoidal arches on the fenders.
4 × 4 systems
The appearance is not misleading. Except for the basic version, which is more "in color", in front of you is a real SUV. The SUV even comes with two 4x4 systems. A more moderate one has modes for different terrain (auto, snow, mud and sand), which can transmit up to 100% of torque to only one wheel with traction, as well as a differential lock, which "blocks" traction. at constantly 50/50% between two bridges. In this case, the ground clearance is 200 mm.
The test car was like this, and I had absolutely no difficulties off-road, of course, if you did not try it on especially extreme off-road, since I did not have a laptop with tractor driver numbers. An even more powerful 4 × 4 system offered in the Trailhawk version, it adds a rock mode, a slow gear and a downhill assistant with a higher ground clearance of 216 mm. In other words, you have to put in a lot of effort to find a car in the segment that offers close to these opportunities.
9 speeds
While it is indeed capable, it is clear that Compass will spend most of its life on the runway.
That's why Jeep employees have equipped it with state-of-the-art engines and transmissions. Under the hood of the test car was a 1,4-liter turbo-petrol unit, combined with a 9-speed automatic. The fact that such an SUV is equipped only with a 1,4 engine sounds a bit frivolous, but it offers an enviable power of 170 hp. and 250 Nm of torque. The engine is not very new, tested 10 years ago on an Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but it is so energetic that it seems quite modern. Acceleration to 100 km / h takes 9,5 seconds, and the maximum speed is 200 km / h. In general, the drive configuration is good, although there is a slight clumsiness in the operation of the automation with the engine. There are occasional rougher pulls and unfocused shifts, but that somehow fits with the Jeep's more rugged nature. Another negative is the high fuel consumption of 11,5 liters per 100 km on the on-board computer (with the promised 8,3 liters), which is not surprising when a small engine “stumbles” when towing a large SUV.
Asphalt road handling is also excellent, thanks to a solid construction made up of 65% high-strength steel and lightweight aluminum elements on the body. So you end up with a taut 1615kg that is very stable in corners and doesn't rock like a Jeep (according to the older understanding of the noun). Electronic driver assistants save fuel. It's the first drivable car to offer two cruise controls - one adaptive and one normal - activated by two different buttons on the steering wheel. And that's great, because if you're crawling in traffic, adaptive is a big relief. However, when I drive on the track, he personally annoys me, because in our country many people are considered pacemakers and do not back out of the left lane unless you stick to their bumper, which does not allow adaptive.
Under the hood
| Дvigatel | Gas engine |
| drive unit | Four-wheel drive 4 × 4 |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Working volume | 1368 cube |
| Power in hp | 170 h.p. (at 5500 rpm) |
| Torque | 250 Nm (at 2500 rpm) |
| Acceleration time | 0-100 km / h 9,5 sec. |
| full speed | 200 km / h |
| Fuel consumption Tank | 44 л |
| Mixed cycle | 8,3 l / 100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 190 g / km |
| The weight | 1615 kg |
| Price | from 55 300 BGN with VAT |
