KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Jeep Compass is the most affordable Jeep SUV in the Indian market
- The Compass comes with a starting price of Rs 20.69 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine only with 4X2 & 4X4 drivetrain options
The American SUV maker Jeep is renowned for making rugged SUVs around the world. In the Indian market, the most affordable offering by the brand is the Jeep Compass and it has received a decent reception from Indian customers. Jeep has established a strong presence in the 4X4 vehicle market. However, not everyone who wants an SUV will take it for off-roading, especially in India where most people want an SUV as a status symbol.
Jeep India has recently rejigged the Jeep Compass lineup in the Indian market and launched new 4X2 variants. However, we were not able to get our hands on the newly launched variant but we did get behind the wheel of the 2024 Jeep Compass S 4X2 variant. Here is our complete review after spending a few days with the SUV. Don't forget to join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group community of petrolheads to never miss out on any updates from the automotive world.
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What We Like?
- The rugged stance and mean look of the SUV
- Powerful 2.0-litre MultiJet engine with good performance and low-end grunt
- Loaded with a plethora of features such as a panoramic sunroof, a 10-inch touchscreen, among other features
- It offers excellent ride quality and handling
- The cabin feels premium with a black interior and leather seats
- It offers a muscular feel while driving and the attention to detail inside the cabin is good
- The cabin is roomy and the boot space is decent for carrying some suitcases
What We Dislike?
- The pricing of the SUV is too high
- The 9-speed AT is a bit lazy in a shift at higher speeds
- It does not offer any drive modes in the 4X2 variant
- Engine noise filters in the cabin
- No major changes as a part of the 2024 update, just minor cosmetic adjustments
2024 Jeep Compass - Design
The Compass boasts the typical Jeep design language with a 7-slat grille offering it a rugged look from the front. The bold and rugged stance is instantly recognizable, and the design of the SUV is something that impressed me personally. The headlamp design with a thin LED DRL strip gives it a touch of aggression. We had the Exotica Red color with us and this color looks good on this SUV, it is further complimented by the blacked-out grille, black fog lamp assembly, black ORVM, and dechromed badging.
Moving to the sides, the SUV gets 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels which enhances the side aesthetics of the SUV. The rear design is something that has not much changed since the Compass was first launched in India. The rear gets an LED tail lamp but the design feels old.
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2024 Jeep Compass Interior & Features
The interior of the Jeep Compass offers a premium feel and a neatly integrated cabin. The Model S of the Compass comes with an all-black interior with leather seats, which offers good comfort and cushioning for the front as well as rear seat passengers. The dashboard gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with Jeep's UConnect UI. The UI of the touchscreen is simple and easy to operate, the brand has not made the UI cluttered.
The HVAC controls are super easy to use as everything is operated by buttons and knobs. The SUV also gets a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster which shows a plethora of information. Other features of the Compass include a 9-speaker Alpine system with an amplifier and subwoofer, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, 360-degree camera among other features.
2024 Jeep Compass Engine Performance
The Compass comes with a 2.0-litre MultiJet II diesel engine which produces 170 PS of power and 350 Nm of peak torque. The model we had with us was the 4X2 variant with a 9-speed torque converter AT gearbox.
When it comes to engine performance, the Jeep Compass excels in low-end power, making it quick to accelerate from a standstill. At lower speeds, the engine operates smoothly, but a gentle tap on the pedal and the engine shows its aggression. The power and torque delivery in the low and mid-range are linear and satisfactory, and the gearbox performs smoothly within this range. However, pushing the pedal harder to accelerate quickly can cause the gearbox to lag a bit and it shows some lag to upshift. Overall, the engine performs best below 5,000 RPM, providing a balanced and enjoyable driving experience.
The engine's high-end performance is somewhat underwhelming, with noticeable strain and excessive noise in the cabin. The brand claims the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.8 seconds. While the gearbox operates smoothly at mid-range speeds, quick maneuvers may not be as satisfying. In city conditions, the Compass's engine performs well, and cruising comfortably under 100 kmph on highways is enjoyable. The ARAI-claimed mileage for the Compass is 16.2 kmpl, and driving sedately can achieve around 14-15 kmpl.
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2024 Jeep Compass Ride & Handling
The Compass has received a mildly tweaked suspension setup to make it more comfortable. The front wheel-driven 4X2 version offers a pliant ride quality and tackles rough roads with ease. At lower speeds, the suspension feels a bit stiff but as you increase the speed it becomes more pliant and comfortable. On corners, you will feel some body roll in the cabin but that is manageable considering the size of the SUV.
The 4X2 version does not get any particular drive mode as the 4X4 version but it can variant can handle some small obstacles with ease. The steering is on the lighter side and it gives you confidence on any kind of road, making it a perfect SUV for your road adventures as well as some off-road trails.
2024 Jeep Compass - Daily Life Experience
The Compass comes with a few handy features that will help you in daily life scenarios. Let's start with the 360-degree camera, the resolution of the camera is pretty good and it comes in handy in your day-to-day life, especially if you have a tight parking space. The 10.1-inch touchscreen is easy to use with its simple UI, if you are using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the screen continues to show the AC controls and other vehicle settings without overlapping the CarPlay and Android Auto UI.
The headlights of the Compass need a special mention, it comes with a projector LED headlamp which lights up the road ahead of you pretty well. It also comes with cornering LED fog lamps which helps in dark areas and especially while making turns. The steering controls are very ergonomically placed which helps in easy operations while driving.
Verdict
The Jeep Compass offers a perfect combination of ruggedness with comfort. The SUV feels rugged when you look at it and when you get behind the wheel it will defiinitely give you a grin on your face. The 2.0-litre diesel engine performs well and the hapiness of driving a diesel engine can be felt while driving the Compass. It is a perfect blend of functionality, features and a comfortable driving experience.
The 4X2 version starts at Rs 20.69 lakh but with a 6-speed manual transmission. If you want to pick the 9-speed AT you need to pay Rs 23.99 lakh (ex-showroom) which is a big price tag. If we talk about the Model S 4X2 AT version, it is priced at Rs 30.19 lakh (ex-showroom) which is too high considering other options in the segment. The few cosmetic changes might attract some new buyers but the appealing a mass market seems difficult with this price tag.
