Road test: Jeep Compass S-Limited

Sunday, 9 October 2022

• JEEP COMPASS S-LIMITED

• Base price: $59,990 (Estimated Clean Car Programme fee/rebate: $4025)

• Powertrain and economy: 2.4-litre naturally aspirated inline-four, 124kW/229Nm, 9-speed automatic, 4WD, combined economy 10.8L/100km, CO2 256g/km (source: RightCar).

• Vital statistics: 4394mm long, 1819mm wide, 1644mm high, 2636mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 438 litres, 19-inch alloy wheels.

• Safety: 5 stars (Source: ANCAP)

• We like: Lots more refinement this time around, economical transmission, good looker.

• We don't like: Still rides a bit like a truck, engine a bit old now, expensive with CCD fee

The Jeep Compass has been rejigged for 2022 with an updated face, more tech and an improved drive. It’s still got the same single overhead cam Tigershark 2.4-litre atmospheric inline-four and while the nine-speed automatic is still pretty fresh, it can’t dispel all of those pesky CO2 emissions. But maybe the rest of the package makes up for it…

OUTSIDE

The front end sports a wider bonnet, fog lights integrated into the new front bumper and a very slightly altered seven-slot grille. New headlights are probably the most noticeable change, narrower and with the LED daytime running light strip now above rather than below the main bulb.

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**

There are new-look 19-inch wheels, larger than before, sitting in sculpted arches. Around back are minimal tweaks, with LED rear lights and twin exhaust outlets poking out from the bumper.

The Compass sits fairly low for a medium SUV, or at least appears to, with a handsome, staunch look about it.

INSIDE

The S-Limited gets a 10.25-inch fully digital dash behind the wheel, which is attractive but a little too minimalistic for my taste. The readouts are set on a plain black background, and you can’t have the dials fully expanded while showing something like fuel economy, and with that information pulled up everything is quite small.

There’s also a 10.1-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect 5, which is sharp and snappy and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and physical air-conditioning controls sitting below. The S-Limited adds gets a nine-speaker premium audio system which sounds brilliant.

A tall gear shifter divides the seats, and there’s a drive mode switch that toggles Jeep’s Selec-Terrain sand/mud and show modes for the four-wheel drive system. There’s only the one road mode, Auto.

There’s plenty of leather in the seats, which are very comfortable, and the fit and finish of the cabin is right up to scratch. This car has the optional heated/ventilated seats and steering wheel warmer, part of a $5000 package that also introduces a panoramic sunroof and 360-degree camera.

UNDER THE BONNET

Jeep is soldiering on with the 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder here, which can trace its heritage back to 2007, paired with a nine-speed automatic. It’s not a particularly bad powertrain, but it really does feel dated with the turbocharged stuff from the Volkswagen Group and other emerging hybrids.

Its efficiency is a bit higher than it probably should be at 10.8L/100km, likely due to the S-Limited’s 4WD system. If this is important, consider the front-drive Night Eagle, which has a lower fuel usage claim of 7.8L/100km and, weirdly, a quicker 0-100kph time of 9.3 seconds versus a hair over 10 seconds.

The Night Eagle gets a six-speed auto instead of the nine-speed here, which could be one reason why it’s a bit quicker – the niner won’t be rushed on the downshifts at all. Plus, I never saw ‘9’ appear on the dash, so I’m not really sure why it has so many cogs…

Keeping the revs low with more speeds makes sense on paper but with the atmospheric engine, I found the transmission would have to drop to fifth or fourth to get the engine producing meaningful power.

Add in a turbo or a small electric motor and I suspect it would be much better, sort of like the 4xe the Americans get…

ON THE ROAD

On the go, the Compass is a more refined ride than it used to be. There’s still a hint of truck-ness in there, but it’s closer to a Grand Cherokee now, particularly with the plush seats and quieter cabin. The steering is nicely weighted, if somewhat vague, and there’s minimal body roll through the corners. Fully independent suspension helps plenty.

That transmission and its relentless need to stay in the highest gear possible does spoil some of the fun outside the city, but it does help keep fuel use down on the motorway. And to be fair, the engine isn’t one that really enjoys being pushed.

As for off-roading, the Compass will tackle bits here and there without much issue, although the S-Limited’s 4WD system and larger wheels with road rubber are at odds with one another. Gravel tracks are fine, but bumpier bits might collect the Compass’ chin as it only carries an approach angle of 16.8 degrees. Best keep it on the black stuff, probably.

VERDICT

If you’re after a road-going Jeep that looks the part, drives nicely and has a nice cushy cabin, the Compass is right up your alley. But you probably already knew that, and may even have one in your driveway already.

However, when compared to the competition, the Compass is up against the wall a bit. It’s a great family wagon for the most part, with a lovely interior, handsome exterior and decent enough powertrain, but at nearly $65k when you include the Clean Car Programme fee, there are quite a few other options.

The Mazda CX-5 can be had in all-wheel drive SP25T form for about $63k including CCP fee, or Takami for around $66k. You could also look to the Volkswagen Tiguan TSI Style (around $64k with the CCP fee) or the top-rung Skoda Karoq Sportline ($63,990 with no CCP fee).

Competitive hybrids at this price point include the Toyota RAV4 Adventure Hybrid ($58,790 with a rebate of $2335.69), the Kia Sorento Hybrid AWD EX ($65,990 with a rebate of $1614) and the entry Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV LS ($60,990 with a rebate of $5750).

So the big issue isn’t really with the capable Compass itself, although that powertrain could do with an update. It’s that the competition is so fierce these days. Maybe the 4xe plug-in hybrid would change things, but it would need to be extremely sharply priced.