Jeep backs up the rugged looks with the off-road goods, and not just with the Wrangler and the go-anywhere Grand Cherokee but also the entry-level Compass.
The Compass is Jeep's compact crossover SUV — a notch down in size from the Cherokee but not lacking in Jeep capability.
Though based on a front-wheel-drive layout, like other crossovers, the Compass offers two things other FWD/AWD crossovers don't: the ability to route 100 percent of the engine's power to a single wheel if the other three are slipping; and a 20-1 crawl ratio that serves the same function as a tuck-type 4WD system's two-speed transfer case and 4WD low-range gearing.
Prices start at $20,995 for the base front-wheel drive Sport trim. A top-of-the-line Trailhawk with the most-capable Active Drive Low 4WD system — with 20-1 crawl ratio — has a $28,595 sticker.
While the Compass is in the same general class as other compact car-based crossovers — of which there are at least half a dozen — none of the others offer the extra measure of rough weather/off-road capability the Compass does.
What's New
The 2017 Compass is new from the wheels up, including its styling. It looks like a two-thirds scale Cherokee now, and the similarity is so close that unless you park a Compass next to a Cherokee, you'd swear it is a Cherokee.
What's Good
It has much more hardware than others in this class.
Manual transmission is available.
Interior space almost equals that of the Cherokee in both rows, but it's easier to park because it's a almost a foot shorter overall.
The outstanding Uconnect touch-screen interface is one of the best in any class.
What's Not So Good
Manual transmission is only available with FWD versions.
The 36.3-foot turning circle.
Under the Hood
The formerly optional Compass engine — the 2.4-liter 180 horsepower Tigershark four-cylinder — is now the standard Compass engine. It has also been hopped up a little, having had 172 horsepower last year. You can pair it with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic in FWD versions.
Models equipped with either of the two available 4WD systems come standard with a new nine-speed automatic transmission with driver-selectable terrain settings for snow, sand, mud and, with the Active Drive Low system, Rock crawl mode.
Expect zero to 60 mph acceleration in about 9.5 seconds and gas mileage of about 24 mpg on average, depending on the engine, transmission and drive configuration.
On the Road
Though it sits higher off the ground and is heavier than most other crossovers in this class, the Compass manages to not feel top-heavy in curves.
Its main defect is its surprisingly wide 36.3-foot turning circle, which is nearly as wide as the physically larger Cherokee's and about 2 feet wider than the same-size Hyundai Tucson's.
At the Curb
Though it's about 10 inches shorter overall than the Cherokee, which makes it an easier fit in the garage and curbside parking slots, it has nearly as much room on the inside as the Cherokee — in both rows.
There are 41.8 inches of legroom for the driver and front seat passenger, and 38.3 inches in the second row. The Cherokee has 41.1 inches of legroom up front and 40.3 inches of legroom in the second row.
The point is the Compass isn't cramped.
This is a truism that applies to most of the vehicles in the class. Compact on the outside they may be; but on the inside, most of them are midsized or nearly so.
Behind the rear seats there's 27.2 cubic feet of storage space with the back seats up — more than the Cherokee has (24.6 cubic feet). There are 59.8 cubic feet with the back seats folded down, whereas the Cherokee has 54.9 cubic feet.
The rear cargo area also features multilevel storage, including a hidden underfloor compartment to stash stuff you'd prefer not be easily seen.
The dash layout is strikingly similar to the Cherokee's, including the superb Uconnect touch screen. The system looks good, which a lot of current touch screens do. But more importantly, it works well, which a lot of them don't. It neatly integrates tap/touch controls with more familiar (and tactile) rotary knob controls. The icons are also large and intelligible.
The Rest
One thing that is compact about the Compass is its fuel tank: just 13.5 gallons. The Cherokee's holds about 2 more gallons, which works out to about another 50 to 60 miles of range, give or take.
The Compass' relatively small tank combined with its relatively hearty appetite makes it seem less fuel-efficient than it actually is.
The bottom line: A bit more horsepower would be nice, and a diesel engine option (which is available overseas) would be fantastic. But even without those things, the new Compass moves up to a pack leader in this segment.
His new book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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