Review Jeep Compass SUV

"The Compass is more aggressive and rugged looking than most of it's rivals" Aimed directly at the Nissan Qashqai and Land Rover Freelander, the all-new Compass marks a brand-new chapter for Jeep- it's the maker's first model to be offered with two wheel drive. Featuring the trademark seven-slot grill and boxy styling the Compass looks aggressive, feeling rugged and macho compared to it's nearest rivals. The prominent wheel arches are hard to ignore and won't please everyone. The restyled interior is a major improvement from the previous model but lacks higher quality soft touch materials required for it to feel upmarket. Rear passengers are also left slightly wanting due to limited legroom, the high transmission tunnel almost fills the footwell of the middle seat, making longer journeys uncomfortable. Available with two petrol engines and one 2.2-litre diesel option, most buyers will opt for the latter fitted with two wheel drive. Providing effortless in-gear progress and 46.3mpg fuel economy, the lower asking price and improved fuel economy over the four wheel drive version, make it our pick of the range. Out on the road, the Compass handles corners well and although the suspension is quite firm and the cabin quite noisey, it's not a bad place to be thanks to good levels of standard equipment. Drive4.0 /5 Not as smooth as some, but capable nevertheless Both five and six-speed manual gearboxes offer clunky, slow changes and disappointingly, an automatic transmission is only available on top spec 2.4 CVT Limited models. All models grip the road well however and even the entry level, 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong performer, capable of 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds. The fastest Compass is the 2.2-litre diesel variant in four wheel drive form but the performance is rarely worth the larger price and higher running costs. Small amounts of body roll ensure few dramas in corners, although relatively large steering inputs are required. High ground clearance and Jeep's reputation for building strong off-roaders suggest the Compass should also prove capable off-road, especially with four wheel drive. Overall, it's an impressive bit of kit. Comfort3.0 /5 Engines are noisey when under stress Falling short of similarly priced rivals from Nissan and Volkswagen, the Compass' cabin can become noisy at speed and cabin materials lack sophistication and effective sound-proofing. This can effect long distance ability but the seats are comfy and supportive. Limited rear legroom and a high floor also effect it's ability to carry five people in comfort. Reliability4.1 /5 The Compass feels rugged and built to last Jeep have a good reputation for reliability and build quality has rarely been questioned. The Compass feels very well made and although not yet Euro NCAP tested it is bound to score well. As the Compass is all-new, it features safety measures such as multiple cabin airbags and important exterior crumple zones, designed to reduce the effects of an impact. Practicality3.4 /5 Rear legroom is poor but large luggage area impresses The wide, 458-litre boot is a good size but is not as deep as in some rivals, the rear seats do fold flat however to reveal an impressive 1269-litre luggage bay. Rear legroom room is a little limited thanks to a high transmission tunnel and shallower than average footwells. Up front, the dashboard is attractive and functional but door bins are too small to hold larger items and bottles of water. Value for money4.2 /5 Buyers looking for a capable on-and-off-roader could do a lot worse All models including entry level Sport variants come with air conditioning, front fog lamps, cruise control and alloy wheels, whilst Sport+ models add Bluetooth and extra curtain airbags. Top-spec Limited and 70th Anniversary versions get leather seats, larger alloy wheels and four wheel drive as standard. Entry level prices are comparible with the Nissan Qasqai, offering good value for money in this sector. Running costs4.1 /5 The all-new Compass is Jeep's most fuel efficient model ever Ordering the Compass in 2.2-litre diesel, two wheel drive spec results in the lowest running costs, returning 46.3mpg and producing 161g/km of CO2- impressive for a small SUV. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is not as frugal, capable of 37.2mpg and 175g/km of CO2. These figures translate into annual tax fees of £165 and £190 respectively. Diesel models also require servicing less often.