Jeep takes a giant leap forward

After years of serious 4x4s, the marque is driving into the fickle lifestyle market, says Danny Cobbs
22 November 2006

Specifications

Model: Jeep Compass Rallye 5-door SUV
Price: £18,995
Engine: 1,968cc, 4 cylinder, 16 valves/in-line DOHC, turbo
Maximum power: 140 bhp @ 4,000 rpm.
Maximum torque: 229 lb ft @ 1,750-2,500 rpm
Performance: 117mph; 0 to 60mph in 11 secs; 43.5 mpg
CO2: 177g/km

BELFAST IRELAND | TIMES - - Just when you thought reality TV had exhausted itself, along comes another series of The X Factor. Hundreds of thousands of hopefuls vying for their 15 minutes of fame, only to have their dreams shot down by a SAM missile otherwise known as Cowell, Osbourne and Walsh.

I can see why these shows draw millions of viewers. We like to have a belly laugh at someone else's expense. It makes us feel better about ourselves and less inadequate when we see talentless wannabes believing they'll "go platinum" before the end of the year.

Heaven forbid I'd consider myself as acid-tongued as the high-waisted Mr Cowell, but to a lesser extent my job is to judge and give constructive criticism on new cars. Car manufacturers are nothing more than enthusiastic parents with the immovable faith that their child can go straight in at No 1.

Recently, I was the only UK journo invited to go behind the wheel of the all-new Jeep Compass months before its official British launch date. This is similar to someone phoning up Pete Waterman, excitingly explaining they've found the new Kylie and does he want to produce her.

Hype is well and good if it can match the promised talent. I've heard countless times such-and-such a car will revolutionise the industry, but invariably it's one-hit wonder and ends up languishing in the bargain bin with the likes of Gareth Gates and Steve Brookstein. The press blurb was full of the customary PR flowery claptrap, yet after driving the Focus-sized Compass, the reality soon became clear: it was just as good, if not better, than described.

Based on the Dodge Caliber platform, the Compass is a huge, nay, gigantic leap forward for Jeep. It has always been at the serious end of the 4x4 market - the U2s if you like, but now the gloves are off. By entering the fickle SUV arena, Jeep is courageously going head-to-head with cheaper and smaller imitations of its own 65 years of handiwork - expect some blood on the carpet. It's not going to have mass appeal, but for those looking for a fuel-efficient (more than 40 mpg) compact SUV, the Compass offers a credible alternative with a formidable pedigree.

Before you start thinking I've gone soft and shown my hand too early, wait a minute. There's one minor point that can't be overlooked. The styling. From every angle other than side profile it looks the part - chunky and purposeful with the Jeep signature seven-slot grille. However, side-on the basic version has the look of a Vietnamese potbellied pig. Perhaps I'm being over picky because the blinged-up, beefier, one-trim Rallye version we'll be getting over here seems less pot-bellyish in comparison.

When it's launched in spring, there will be a 2.4-litre petrol engine. However, my test vehicle had the same VW-sourced, 2.0-litre diesel found in the Caliber, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Despite the extra weight from the part-time, four-wheel system, it still felt amply capable for the job in hand.

No, it will never set your hair on fire with its speed, but its driving characteristics err more towards those of a car than an SUV, and this is the crux. It would have been easy for Jeep to make this model a Mini-Me of the Cherokee, but it hasn't. The Compass is for a lifestyle market.

The rufty-tufty image is there and it has a four-wheel-drive system to match, but I'll bet the majority of its owners will never get the tyres dirty. So does Jeep. That's why it has put as much effort into cabin adornments as into the powertrain. Straight out of the Caliber are the speakers, which swing down from the tailgate, a dual-purpose rechargeable torch above the cavernous cargo area and a flip pocket in the armrest for an iPod or mobile. These touches add to what is already a very pleasing and spacious interior.

So far the Compass has passed its first audition based on looks, sub-£20,000 price, on and off road manners and accommodation. The next step is boot camp, where it will be put against other hopefuls such as the soon-to-be launched new Land Rover Freelander and revamped Kia Sorrento.

The Compass has as much chance, if not more, of making it to the finals. Whether it can become the winner only time will tell. But given the achievement of previous runners-up, second isn't such a terrible place to finish. Ask Lemar.