The Drive Report: Jeep Compass S 4x2 AT, more affordable and easy

The Jeep Compass, once the doyen of its segment, now finds itself wading through tricky waters, without the aid of a petrol-powered variant.

Jeep brings respite to your wallet and your left foot with an automatic version of its most affordable version of the Compass.

The Jeep Compass, once the doyen of its segment, now finds itself wading through tricky waters, without the aid of a petrol-powered variant. With sales depending entirely on Jeep’s more expensive 4x4 Diesel AT, Jeep had to do something to fill the gap left by the cheaper, and vastly preferred 4x2 petrol automatic. The result is a Jeep Compass 4x2 diesel automatic that’s cheaper by a good Rs 6 lakh.

The fact remains that most SUV buyers in the sub Rs 30 lakh category, aren’t hardcore off-roaders. Even the likes of the Mahindra Thar and the ScorpioN sell more 4x2 versions than 4x4 ones. For this reason, brands like Tata Motors haven’t even bothered to make an AWD (All Wheel Drive) variant of the Tata Safari and Tata Harrier. Even a brand like Jeep that’s synonymous with off-roading, must account for the fact that most of its buyers aren’t likely to tread rock-ridden pathways. And while a 4x2 variant of the diesel-powered Compass does exist, the absence of an automatic gearbox has been rather conspicuous at a time when most urban buyers are preferring the convenience of an automatic gearbox. When you take off-roading out of the equation, an automatic gearbox makes even more sense.

Design

Red seems to be the preferred colour scheme when it comes to the Jeep Compass. Perhaps, as a consequence of driving one, it was the only colour I could see on the road. It’s a good look. The Compass S is the best looking version of the SUV, capturing the proportions and regal stance that Jeeps are known for, with a fair bit of sportiness thrown-in. Despite the lowered bumper lip, it coasts over Mumbai roads. The Black Shark edition does get stealthy black alloys, a blacked out grille and a bright red trim on the inside, but the Compass S is more conventional fare. Still, the quality of leather lavished upon the Compass’s dashboard and steering is still gobsmackingly good. Its confines feel premium to the core, with a certain slick uniformity that sets it apart from the dreary executive suite-like interiors of some of its competitors. SUV design, be it inside or outside, works best when it's rooted in tradition and heritage. Every corner and every crevice of the Compass is pouring with Jeep DNA.

Performance

No off-road modes, no terrain response system – the Compass S 4x2 is a simple beast. The 2.0-litre diesel makes a good 170hp although it is never in a hurry. Nor does its nine-speed gearbox like to be hurried. So outright linear speed isn’t quite part of the package, but there’s a certain earthy, albeit a tad agricultural quality to the motor that lends the Compass its character. It does comfort really well, particularly in its de facto role as a soft-roader. Ride quality is remarkably pliant as is the built quality. The Compass is a well-insulated, bump-absorbing little brute with just the right amount of low-end diesel grunt to get you going from a standstill quickly. It’s the ascent to higher speed that’s gradual. The fact that it is unburdened by a heavier 4x4 mechanism is lost to the Compass. Still, its steady thrum towards higher speeds is more than sufficient for inner-city and highway runs, thanks to a strong mid-range delivered by its ever-dependable workhorse of a diesel motor. The added advantage to having a two-wheel drive mechanism is that the lower kerb weight also improves mileage.

The fact that its power goes only to two wheels does little to diminish its ability to take on topographical variations. I didn’t venture too far off-road, but given that its off-road friendly entry and departure angles remain intact, the 4x2 should hold you in good stead anywhere, except in truly marshy terrain. Even on fairly loose surfaces, a stronger throttle input is all it takes to get the Compass out of a quagmire. The nine-speed torque converter, a bit relaxed with upshifts, is still a far greater convenience than a manual gearbox, in Mumbai’s dense, bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Verdict

The Compass may have aged a bit, but it certainly doesn’t look like it. In fact, it is easily the most sensational looking SUV in its segment. It's got traditional Jeep poise, mixed with the taut, chiselled frame of a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. It catches the eye and, most of all, understands the assignment. Nine days out of 10, you don’t need your SUV to do more than what this SUV can do, even if it is a Jeep. Only off-roading hobbyists and enthusiasts need to spend the extra dough on a 4x4 mechanism because the 4x2, with its new found automatic partner-in-crime does 85-90 percent of its required tasks with equal competence. If hardcore off-roading chops married to monocoque dynamics and Jeep-level comfort are your thing, by all means, go for the fully specced-out Compass 4x4 AT. Or do the smart thing, buy a Compass 4x2 AT and spend the money saved on a middle-weight ADV bike.