Jeep Compass diesel automatic review: 4X4 brute SUV gets a dash of comfort

NEW DELHI: FCA India's most-affordable offering Jeep Compass has undergone a comprehensive overhaul in the engine department. Much like the Trailhawk, the Compass has arrived with a diesel-automatic combo.
The Compass debuted in India in 2017 and was a runaway success. A couple of years down the line, FCA introduced the king-size Compass: Trailhawk. A major pie of SUVs in this segment is swept away by the automatic variant and Trailhawk was here to make a mark.Things, however, were a little different. The diesel-automatic Trailhawk drove in with several drive modes, which were welcomed, but carried a heftier price tag.

Come 2020, the Compass graduates as a 4X4 off-roader with the same set of bells and whistles, which now add a whole new dimension. Visually, however, there is not much to differentiate, but let's find out how the newest Compass in the town feels and drives like:
The BSVI-complaint, 2.0-litre, Multijet engine pumps out 170 bhp and 350 Nm of torque while mated paired with ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic gearbox. Interestingly, Jeep calls the new avatar an urban off-roader. Surely, that moniker has to do a lot with the way the Compass now drives and the 'kitna deti hain' factor. Let's try to address those one-by-one.

Fire the engine, the usual diesel clatter will make its presence felt. That will not be annoying though as the cabin insulation has witnessed quite a bit of improvement. Refinement was an issue with the Compass engine earlier. The issue persists, however, in a subdued manner. The clatter is more prominent as you near the red line.
The 9-way torque convertor operates seemlessly but isn't as brisk as you would like it to be. The power delivery is linear and the upshifts are well-coordinated. While cruising at triple digits on the highways comes naturally, overtakes do require a bit of calculation. No paddle shifts yet, so row the gear lever to your left, downshift and accelerate to zoom past others.
Another issue, as you may call it, arises when the Compass is on an upslope or suddenly slowed down. The transmission tends to confuse itself for a second before hitting the right gear. That apart, Jeep has engineered brilliantly to offer multiple drive modes and solid mid-range torque.

There is surely a bit of a turbo-lag in the initial startup. However, the impressive mid-range torque will allow you to potter the well-proportioned SUV through the city traffic comfortably. And when it comes to driving dynamics, Jeep Compass second to none in the segment.
A well-planted Compass offers a highly-appreciable level of cushioning even on extremely bad roads. Body roll, as you would expect for an SUV of this size and class, is negligible. The steering wheel is firm, confidence-aspiring and allows you dart into the corners at greater speeds than you would expect.
On the safety front not much has changed. Compass Limited Plus comes with ABS with EBD, 6 airbags, traction control and a bunch of other safety wizardries.

Before we wind up, let's discuss a bit of interior and exterior that have hardly undergone any change. Step inside, the room in all dimensions are in abundance. Five people on the move will find themselves cocooned in the grey upholstery. Keeping it clean will be an issue though.
Unlike Kia Seltos or MG Hector, the connected features fly out of the spacious side curtains. Instead, you get auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming IRVMs, panoramic sunroof, touch screen info, adjustable driver seats and other feel-good features. I like the way Jeep Compass has been kept raw, untouched on tech bounty, inside-out.

In flesh, the SUV sports the characteristic boxy and robust look, with typical chrome surrounds in the grille and Compass badging on the sides. The 18-inch wheels with chrome garnish, blacked-out windowline and split LED tail lamps to offer a study presence.
Available in two trims -- Longitude and Limited Plus 4×4 -- the latter is fully-loaded.
Longitude: Rs 21.96 lakh (ex-showroom)
Limited Plus 4×4:. Rs 24.99 lakh (ex-showroom)
What works in favour of the Jeep Compass is the abilities of the Trailhawk, at a much affordable manner. That said, Jeep Compass still stands at a high ground in terms of price point. But in a battle of muscles, Jeep Compass stands ahead of its rivals.