Jeep softroader arrives Down Under

The vehicle Jeep was never going to build, its first softroader, has gone on sale Down Under. Aimed at the likes of Nissan's X-TRAIL and Toyota's RAV4, the Compass is the first of two road-oriented compact Jeep SUVs due to be launched locally this year.

Pricing kicks off in the low $30Ks and the Compass offers four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel powerplants. Later in the year it will be joined by the traditionally-styled Patriot -- which recalls the look of previous generations of the Cherokee.

The Compass meantime presents a more modern package -- in keeping with its role to take on Honda, Toyota, Nissan, et al. It features contemporary wagon-like styling and a softer interpretation of Jeep's trademark styling cues. Up front, there are the seven-bar grille and round headlights that portray the 'face' of the US offroad brand, while the signature trapezoidal wheel arch openings dominate the Compass' side elevation.

Compass (and Patriot) shares its underpinnings with the Dodge Caliber (for more click here) and, once removed, with the platform that underpins Mitsubishi's new Outlander and yet-to-be-released, new generation Lancer.

The Compass' petrol powertrain option features the 2.4-litre DOHC four-cylinder 'world' engine developed jointly by Chrysler Group with Mitsubishi and Hyundai. In Compass trim it is mated with a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT auto with a manual mode and six 'virtual' gears.

The 2.4 gets dual variable valve timing and boasts a power/torque output of 125kW/220Nm. Car-watchers will recognize it as the same engine that powers the R/T version of the Caliber, but it is also offered in Mitsubishi's Outlander -- a Compass competitor.

The Jeep product has the trump card of a turbodiesel option, however. The 2.0-litre VW-sourced powerplant pumps out 103kW/310Nm and is matched with a six-speed manual only. Until the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage diesels arrive mid-year and the next generation X-TRAIL goes oiler, Compass will be the only compact softroader to offer a turbodiesel option Down Under.

Jeep claims the petrol versions return 8.7 and 9.5lt/100km (combined) for the manual and auto versions respectively. The diesel is significantly more frugal (and if our test drive is anything to go by, muscular) at 6.5lt/100km.

Jeep is at pains to point out the Compass offers genuine all-wheel drive functionality -- even if it is a road-oriented package. The softroader features an active all-wheel drive system Jeep calls Freedom Drive. While the system defaults to front-wheel drive in most situations, it automatically apportions drive to the rear wheels (and side to side via a Brake Traction Control function) when required.

In this aspect it works in a similar manner to the Outlander with which it shares drivetrain architecture. Like the Mitsubishi, the Compass gets a rear-mounted computer-controlled viscous coupling via which drive is transferred.

Both vehicles allow the driver to activate a 4WD Lock mode that in the case of the Jeep is functional up to 56km/h (Outlander 40km/h). Unlike the Outlander there is no 2WD mode in the Compass.

The Compass' standard equipment list is hefty and safety features include ESP and front and curtain airbags. As you'd expect aircon, cruise control, alloy wheels (with full-size steel spare) and keyless entry and alarm are also standard on all models.

Strictly a five-seater, the Compass also features a 60:40 splitfold reclining rear seat and a number of the innovations launched in the Dodge Caliber. These include the hinged liftgate speakers, rear dome light/torch, and so on.

Befitting the Jeep badge, there is also a wide range of accessories and options available including stereo upgrades, roof carrier systems and even a tent!

Jeep will offer two trim levels on Compass. Priced from $32,490 for the 2.4-litre manual, the Sport is the standard offering with the above inclusions.

The Limited range-toppers add leather and front seat heating, 18-inch alloys and upgraded sound systems and kick off at $36,490.

Automatic transmission is a $2000 premium on all models and the manual-only turbodiesel adds $4000.

Jeep Australia and Chrysler Group boss, Gerry Jenkins said the Compass is a new type of Jeep vehicle for a new type of Jeep buyer.

"We expect there to be a growing demand for SUVs with fuel economy, ride comfort and roomy, efficient packaging, and the Compass means that the Jeep brand is ideally placed to meet this.

"Customers are increasingly interested in family hatchbacks with four-wheel-drive systems as they offer better handling and enhanced safety on the road. The Compass fits the bill, and it is designed to reach younger customers who may not have previously considered the brand but value the distinctive Jeep look," said Jenkins.

Look out for our launch reviews of the Compass and Jeep's all-new Wrangler (for more click here) at CarPoint/Carsales soon.

2007 Jeep Compass range pricing

Compass Sport

Compass Limited

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