Jeep Compass Diesel AT Test Drive Review – Better Late Than Never

Jeep Compass Diesel AT Review

Car Tested: Jeep Compass Limited Plus 2.0 Diesel 4×4 AT; Road Test No. 1169; Test Location: Mumbai

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 30,36,270/-

The Compass now comes with an automatic gearbox with the diesel powertrain in the Limited Plus trim

When Jeep launched the Compass in 2017, it quickly became the talk of the town. The Compass established itself as an accomplished SUV and gained a lot of praise. However, the Compass did not come with a diesel automatic initially but was added in the top-spec off-road focussed TrailHawk trim. The problem was it was the sole trim to offer the diesel automatic combination and buyers had to spend more for the off-road hardware they would seldom need for the convenience of an automatic. Now Jeep has launched the diesel automatic in the Limited Plus trim that is cheaper and better equipped than the TrailHawk.

Exteriors – The Compass has lost little of its character despite being three years into the lifecycle. It is still a handsome looking SUV with great road presence. The Limited Plus variant with stylish alloys and chrome garnishes looks really elegant. The large Compass badging on the door and the traditional seven-slatted grille bring some attitude to the table. We are amazed at the level of detail on the Compass’ exterior. There are small animals, classic open-top Jeeps and the iconic grille stickers placed around the front and rear windscreens. There are more such inscriptions on the inside too!

Interiors – There is nothing different on the inside save for the gear-lever. It is a premium and well-appointed cabin. The Limited Plus adds certain goodies like a panoramic sunroof which makes the cabin airier and powered driver’s seat which ensures easy adjustment of the seat. The quality is pretty good and the cabin is ergonomically sound.

The Compass lacks connected car features like the Kia Seltos and is also not as spacious as the MG Hector

You get an 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is a fairly slick system but isn’t as intuitive as Kia’s. Further, unlike the MG Hector and Kia Seltos, Jeep is not offering connected tech on the Compass. That might be a bit of a downer as these features are increasingly becoming common in this segment of cars. That said, we like the simple, clear and legible instrument cluster and the chunky steering wheel.

Space is not an issue at the front but some may find the second row a bit tight. It is not as spacious as the MG Hector and three people may not be very comfortable over long drives. Jeep is pampering you with the necessary features like dual-zone climate control, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming inside rear-view mirrors amongst others. Features like an air purifier and ambient lighting are missing. We would’ve also liked to see a darker shade for the interiors as the light grey gets soiled quite easily.

Performance – The diesel engine of the Jeep Compass now complies with BS6 emission norms and the 2.0-litre MultiJet 2 motor is known for having a punchy mid-range, low-end lag and unrefined nature throughout the rev range. In BS6 guise, it still produces the same power of 173 HP and torque of 350 Nm, coming in at the same RPM too. However, Jeep has worked well on the motor to make it refined and more drivable. The oil burner doesn’t have the unrefined character anymore and feels smoother with the low-end punch drastically improved.

The diesel motor has vastly improved in terms of refinement and low-end lag but it has also lost its mid-range punch

However, the improvements in drivability have come at the cost of the mid-range as it no longer has the kick in the pants feel, instead, overall power delivery is more linear. The new 9-speed torque converter gearbox is smooth with shifts but not the quickest and sometimes doesn’t upshift when it should. You can manually take control of the gears using the tiptronic function on the gear lever (there are no paddles) which makes the gearbox upshift around 4500 RPM instead of 4000 RPM, it won’t hold onto a gear though. Fuel economy is between 10-12 km/hr with single-digit numbers being witnessed in stop-go city driving.

Driving Dynamics – The Jeep Compass has always been a potent SUV, one which strikes a great balance between ride and handling, and this model is no different. The steering is responsive and offers good feel and feedback, body roll is well contained although it’s present and can be felt when you push hard around the corners. The ride is fab and the suspension does a great job of isolating the worst of roads but with 18-inchers on the Compass Limited Plus (TrailHawk uses 17-inchers with a bigger sidewall), the car does thud through big potholes. High-speed stability is good and the brakes are strong too.

Safety and After Sales Service – The Compass Limited Plus gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Traction Control and a few other crucial safety equipment giving you all the peace of mind. The excellent build quality and great stability also add to the safety factor. Service and dealership network aren’t as good as some rival brands but Jeep is expanding. Being a premium brand, expect the spares cost to be slightly expensive.

Verdict – The Jeep Compass Limited Plus with the diesel auto transmission makes a strong case for itself. The engine and gearbox combination make driving effortless in the city confinements. Out on the highway, the performance is perfectly adequate and the dynamics are very well sorted. That said, we do miss that prominent surge in the mid-range but the more linear power delivery will be appreciated by many. The real downside of the Compass could be that it does not feel as tech-savvy as some cars in the segment and at nearly Rs. 30 lakhs (on-road Mumbai), it is pricey. But if you are willing to spend more and want a robust SUV with the convenience of an auto ‘box, the Compass may be for you.

What’s Cool

* Macho and elegant design
* Feature-loaded and high-quality interior
* Refined and smooth diesel engine
* Great ride quality and high-speed stability
* Comes with 6-airbags

What’s Not So Cool

* Grey interior could get soiled easily
* Gearbox is slow to respond
* Price

Alternatives: – Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Tata Harrier

Jeep Compass Diesel AT Specifications

* Engine: 1956cc, 4-Cyl, Diesel
* Power: 173 HP @ 3750 RPM
* Torque: 350 Nm @ 1750-2500 RPM
* Transmission: 9-Speed AT
* Fuel Consumption: 10-12 km/l
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Tyre Size: 225/55/18 (Front & Rear)
* Suspension: McPherson Strut (Front), Multi-Link (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD

Jeep Compass Diesel AT Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 4395 mm X 1818 mm X 1640 mm
* Wheelbase: 2636 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 60-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1654 kgs

Further Reading –

Jeep Compass TrailHawk Review
Jeep Compass TrailHawk Video Review
Jeep Compass Petrol Review
2017 Jeep Compass Review
2017 Jeep Compass Video Review

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