Jeep Compass: the period between The two compact

Photo courtesy, Jeep
The Jeep Compass, fully revised for 2017, is designed to resemble the Grand Cherokee miniature. The photo shows a Compass Limited.

Jacques Welcome

Sunday, 13 August, 2017 23:11

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Sunday, 13 August, 2017 23:11

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Some vehicles are difficult to identify because of the dimensions or price make them overlap the categories. This is the case of the new Jeep Compass 2017, a compact utility, which is in a form design and a redesigned.

The Jeep Compass all change for 2017. And yet, his silhouette seems so familiar ! This is because of its sober style developed by the designers of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been thought of to make the bridge with the previous model, which had been presented in January 2011. This exercise of style, which gives him the look of a Grand Cherokee in a reduced format, avoids forms garish. This will allow him to age well over the years, compared to the angular shapes of the Toyota C-HR, of which we tire quickly.

The Compass 2017 is difficult to assign to a category. Two other products to Jeep, the Renegade, a little smaller, and the Cherokee, a little bit bigger, make the shadow and force him to the status of a subordinate. In addition, its compact dimensions, its logeabilité important and its scale of prices equate to both small models available from 20 000 $, such as the Mazda CX-3 and the Nissan Qashqai, and the compact models at $ 25,000 and most reputed well-equipped as the Kia Sportage, the Subaru Crosstrek, the Mazda CX-5. With his versions of more affluent, the Compass plays well in the court of the ” great “, vehicles such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, at least in their versions of the input range. Then, a “big small” or “small wholesale” this Compass ? Up to you to choose.

Photo courtesy, Jeep

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk 2017 that we see here is a variant designed for use beyond the bitumen.

Like the model it replaces, the new Compass share a architecture of cars to front-wheel drive. While the former model was related to the Dodge Caliber (2007-2012), it uses a stretched version of the platform of the Renegade (common to the Fiat 500X), whose architecture has been developed by Fiat and General Motors in the early 2000s. This architecture makes it possible to offer versions of two-and four-wheel drive.

The Compass also shares the engine Tigershark MultiAir the 2.4 L in the Renegade. This four-cylinder engine mounted transversely delivers 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. The manufacturer offers three transmissions : a manual six reports and two automatic six -, and nine reports. Reserved for Compass four-wheel-drive, this box of nine reports is an option to 1495 $ for the Compass Sport and North, the cheapest versions, while it is serial for the versions Limited and Trailhawk, and more expensive. The other automatic transmission, six-speed, is an option (1495 $) versions Sport and North to two-wheel drive. Finally, the manual is the box serial Compass Sport two-and four-wheel drive, and the Compass North four wheel-drive. You always follow ?

Motorization little inspiring

Compared to the engine of the old Compass, a four-cylinder 2.0 L Tigershark produces 22 hp and 34 lb-ft of torque more. One would imagine, therefore, the Compass more powerful, all the more that there is no weight variation significant between the two generations. But a Compass, four-wheel drive with automatic transmission nine reports, like the one we drove accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 s, while the equivalent version of the old generation took just a half-second more to do the same. Find the error.

On the other hand, the new Compass consumes a little less fuel : 2% to 10% less depending on the powertrain. This is to make the engine more frugal than the manufacturer has to resort to the automatic transmission to nine reports for the models with four-wheel drive. But it optimizes consumption at the expense of performance. In addition, because she has so many reports, this box makes the manual mode almost useless. By using it, it happens rarely to downshift to the appropriate report, and, most of the time, you cause a sub-plan or over-revving.

Photo courtesy, Jeep

The table is well laid out and the 8.4 ” touch screen display with GPS system, Uconnect, optional for the Compass North, Limited and Trailhawk, a stunning resolution.

The Compass is equipped with automatic transmission also have a shut-off device-automatic start at idle. This device can reduce power consumption substantially (from 4% to 10% according to natural Resources Canada), especially when you’re driving mainly in urban areas. Unfortunately, the device of this vehicle lacks refinement. With the automatic transmission to nine reports, it reacts too slowly to start the engine after, for example, a stop at a traffic light.

This slowness can lead to a backlash if abrupt that the novice will fear to have broken something ! To avoid this inconvenience, when the opportunity allows it, just press the brake pedal at, say, 98 % of his race, which is enough to stop the vehicle without stopping the engine. A counter-measure, obviously, counter-productive. But even the driver with the most experience may not succeed ever to avoid these effects irritating to the restart. You can bet that many owners of Compass 2017 will simply disable this device, other decision to be counter-productive…

Global product

The new Compass can be called “vehicle world” rightly so, since it is sold on five continents. The models destined for the canadian market come from a mexican plant, which also powers the United States, Mexico, the Middle East and Europe, except the United Kingdom. This region of the world is served by an indian plant, just like other countries where they are sold for right hand drive vehicles. In addition, a brazilian plant meets the demand of Latin America, while China has its own factory.

In Canada, FCA offers four versions of the Compass. Models Sport, North and Limited, aimed at a clientele fond of small utilities. Their 4×4 system with constant-Jeep Active Drive is doubled in the management system of the traction Jeep Selec-Terrain, which has four operating modes : auto, snow, sand and mud. The Compass, Trailhawk, designed for walks off road, receives the system Jeep Active Drive Low with a very high reduction ratio (20:1), while its system Jeep Selec-Terrain receives an additional mode called ” rocks “. Evocative, non ? This model has the ground clearance at the highest point of the range (216 mm), a suspension off-road, a speed limiter downhill, and plates under the fuel tank, transfer box, gearbox and front suspension.

Very roomy on the inside, the Compass also has a safety deposit box is particularly large, despite its compact dimensions. The useful volume of the trunk of his car is even superior to that of a Cherokee, the rear seat is in place or not. So, yes, the small is bigger.

Mopar customizes the Compass

Photo courtesy, Jeep

Mopar offers a host of accessories, such as this bicycle rack, that you can customize the Compass 2017.

To be in the tone, the division of accessories of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Mopar offers more than 70 facilities used to customize the Compass 2017.

Mopar offers ways to enhance the appearance of this compact utility with, for example, of the alloy wheels of 18-and 19-inch or with this applied self-adhesive black antiréfléchissante dual-band to cover, accessory inherited from the version Trailhawk.

Mopar also offers sets of rudder pedals sport for the versions with the automatic gearbox or manual, the same thresholds custom door with the logo with the Jeep and the bottom of the desk black for the fighters.

Those who prefer the practical side will be happy to find floor mats and trays are plastic, nets and other organizers for the trunk (bags of storage, holding band or bar telescopic), accessories perfect for travelers !

Lovers of outdoor recreation will also be attracted by the bicycle rack and the other racks kayak, ski, etc, as well as roof carriers, that can carry a bunch of sports equipment safely. In short, this is not lack of choice !

Jeep Compass

Base price

• 24 The $ 900 (Sport); 28 Of $ 395 (North);
• 32 895 $ (Trailhawk);
• 34 895 $ (Limited).

Transport and preparation

1795 $

Powertrain

L4 DOHC, 2.4 L, 180 hp at 6400 rpm, 175 lb-ft at 3900 rpm. Gearbox 6-speed manual (2WD and 4WD); 6-speed automatic (2WD); automatic 9 reports (4WD). Front-wheel drive (Sport and North) or awd (all versions).

Features

Four-wheel independent Suspension. Disc brakes to all four wheels. Anti-lock braking system series. Tires : 215/65R16 (Sport); 225/60R17 (North); 215/65R17 (Trailhawk); 225/55r18 tires (Limited).

Ratings

Wheelbase : 2636 mm; length : 4394 mm width : 1874 mm height : 1641 mm. Weight : 1444-1509 kg. Tank capacity : 51 litres. Trunk Volume : 770-1693 L. average Consumption (manufacturer; BVA9) : 9.5 L/100 km.

Competition

Ford EcoSport, Ford Escape, Honda HR-V, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Renegade, Jeep Cherokee, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-3, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan Qashqai, Subaru Crosstrek, the Toyota C-HR, Toyota RAV4

Strengths

• Spacious interior
• Safety deposit box very large
• Skills off-road (Trailhawk)

Weak Points

• Automatic transmission 9 reports could be better
• Device start stop irritating
• Rear visibility limited