- Economical Volkswagen turbo-diesel engine
- Predictable handling
- Spacious interior
- Underpowered 2.0-litre petrol engine
- Short rear seat cushion
- Cheap interior plastics scratch easily
- Limited cargo space
Review: Jeep MK.I Compass (2007-10)
Overview
Released in March 2007, the Jeep MK Series I (MK.I) Compass was an all-wheel-drive SUV. Manufactured in Illinois, USA, the Jeep MK.I Compass was available either a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or a 2.0-litre diesel engine. Furthermore, the Compass range consisted of Sport and Limited editions.
Engines
Of these engines,
- the 2.0-litre Volkswagen turbo-diesel engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, Pumpe Duse direct injection, a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 18.0:1; and,
- the 2.4-litre petrol engine had an aluminium block, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing and a compression ratio of 10.5:1.
The 2.0L CRD variants were solely available with a six-speed manual transmission, while the 2.4L was available with either a five-speed manual or Jeep’s ‘AutoStick’ continuously variable transmission which had six pre-set ratios and a sequential shift mode.
| Variant | Editions | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L | Sport, Limited | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., CVT |
125 kW at 6000 rpm | 220 Nm at 4500 rpm |
| 2.0L CRD | Sport, Limited | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man. | 103 kW at 4000 rpm | 310 Nm at 1750 rpm |
AWD system
The Jeep Compass was fitted with Jeep’s ‘Freedom Drive I’ all-wheel drive system. In normal conditions, the Compass was front-wheel drive, but up to 60 per cent of the engine’s torque could be redirected if traction was lost. The system also included a four-wheel drive ‘lock’ mode which provided a fixed, 50:50 front/rear torque distribution.
Dimensions and suspension
Compared to the Jeep MK Patriot with which it shared its platform, the Compass was 3 mm shorter (at 4405 mm), 25 mm wider (1810 mm), 28 mm lower (1630 mm); wheelbase length, however, was unchanged (2635 mm). The MK Compass had MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension (both with coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars).
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Jeep MK.I Compass included dual front airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, rollover stability control (‘Electronic Roll Mitigation’) and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Front side airbags were optional for the Limited editions.
Features: Compass Sport and Limited
Standard features for the Jeep Compass Sport included 17-inch alloy wheels (with a full-size spare wheel), a four speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, split and folding rear seats, tilt-adjustable steering column, power windows and mirrors, tinted windows, a 12 volt power outlet, roof rails, an alarm and immobiliser.
Beyond this, the Compass Limited added 18-inch alloy wheels, a six-disc CD player with MP3-compatibility, leather seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear privacy glass. Unlike the Sport, however, the Limited was fitted with a space-saving spare wheel.
Review: Jeep MK.II Compass (2012-13)
Overview
Released in January 2012, the Jeep MK Series II (MK.II) Compass introduced a revised range with front-wheel drive models that were powered by 2.0-litre petrol engines (with similar specifications to their 2.4-litre counterparts). Furthermore, the suspension was revised with higher spring and damping rates, added rebound springs and a thicker sway bar.
Compared to its MK.I predecessor, the Jeep MK.II Compass had a new ‘power bulge’ bonnet, front fenders, grille, quad reflector headlights – with daytime running lights – and high output projector fog lamps. At the rear, there was a new body-coloured rear spoiler and LED tail-lights. Inside, there were soft-touch front-door trim panels with a padded upper surface, a new centre armrest, Jeep steering wheel (with integrated controls), cloth fabrics and bucket seats.
| Variant | Edition | Drive | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L | Sport | FWD | 2.0-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., CVT |
115 kW at 6300 rpm | 190 Nm at 4100tpm |
| 2.4L | Sport | AWD | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., CVT |
125 kW at 6000 rpm | 220 Nm at 4500 rpm |
| Limited | AWD | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | CVT |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Jeep MK.II Compass included dual front airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, rollover stability control (‘Electronic Roll Mitigation’), active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Front seat-mounted side airbags, however, were optional.
Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing
In Euro NCAP testing , a 2012 Jeep Compass – fitted with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and optional seat-mounted side airbags – received a two star safety rating which included a 61 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 76 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the front occupants, partly due to structures in the dashboard. In the pole test, there was a high risk of serious chest injury and no points were awarded.
Under ANCAP’s assessment of the Euro NCAP results, the Compass received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 29.21 out of 37. One of the main reasons for this disparity was the Compass’ poor pedestrian protection – this factor was not considered in ANCAP’s assessment. Furthermore, ANCAP received technical information which demonstrated that vehicles with 2.4-litre petrol engines could be expected to have comparable crashworthiness to the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel models.
Features: Compass Sport and Limited
Standard features for the Jeep Compass Sport included 17-inch aluminium wheels, four speaker sound system with CD/DVD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary input, air conditioning, stain-resistant cloth seats, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 60/40 split rear seat, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, power folding mirrors, tyre pressure monitoring and an immobiliser.
The Jeep Compass Limited was further equipped with 18-inch aluminium wheels, a nine speaker Boston Acoustics sound system (including two flip-down tailgate speakers) with a CD/DVD/HDD radio, 40GB hard drive, 16.5 cm touchscreen, remote USB port and audio jack, climate control air conditioning, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather trimmed seats, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity (including Voice Command) and electrochromatic rear view mirror.
Review: Jeep MK.III Compass (2013-16)
Overview
Released in July 2013, the Jeep MK Series III (MK.III) Compass could be identified by its new front grille, black inner headlight bezels, chrome fog light bezels, painted mirror caps, smoked tail-light bezels and plated chrome insert on the tailgate. Inside, there was revised interior trim and stitching, updated instrument cluster graphics and a satin chrome finish for the centre console and gearshift bezel.
Mechanical changes for the MK.III Compass included:
- The introduction of six-speed 6F24 automatic transmissions – these were sealed units that did not require the transmission fluid to be replaced; and,
- Second-generation CVT2L transmissions for vehicles with the ‘Freedom Drive II’ all-wheel drive system. The CVT2L transmission included low range gearing but, unlike ‘Freedom Drive I’, did not have a lockable centre coupling.
| Variant | Edition | Drive | Engine | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L | Sport, North, Blackhawk |
FWD | 2.0-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 2013-16 | 115 kW at 6300 rpm | 190 Nm at 4100tpm |
| 6sp auto | 2013-15 | ||||||
| CVT | 2013-16 | ||||||
| 2.4L | Limited | AWD | 2.4-litre petrol I4 | 6sp auto | 2013-15 | 125 kW at 6000 rpm | 220 Nm at 4500 rpm |
| CVT | 2013-16 |
Safety equipment
Compared to its predecessors, standard safety equipment for the Jeep MK.III Compass was extended to include front seat-mounted side airbags as standard.
Features
Standard features for the Jeep MK.III Compass were extended to include Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice recognition and fog lights (front and rear)
The Compass Limited gained a satellite navigation system (with a 16.5 cm touch screen) and reversing camera.
Jeep Compass North
Released in late 2013, the Jeep Compass North was based on the Sport edition but further equipped with satellite navigation, synthetic leather seat trim, reversing camera, rear privacy glass and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.
Jeep Compass Blackhawk
Released in July 2014, the Jeep Compass Blackhawk was similarly equipped to the Sport edition but could be identified by its 17-inch black painted allow wheels, premium cloth low bucket seats, heated front seats, gloss black grille, body-coloured rear bumper with step pads and gloss black ‘Jeep’ and ‘Blackhawk’ badging.
2016 Jeep Compass 75thAnniversary edition
Released in 2016, the Jeep Compass 75thAnniversary edition was based on the Compass Sport but could be identified by its low gloss bronze finish for the alloy wheels, roof rails, front fascia appliqué, rear step pad, badges and tow hooks (where fitted). The Jeep Compass 75thAnniversary edition was available in Recon Green, Black, Bright White, Billet Silver and Granite Crystal paint finishes.
Features for the Jeep Compass 75thAnniversary edition included a power sunroof and remote start.
Related links
- Buyer’s Guide: Jeep MK.III Compass (December 2015)
- Jeep Australia: Jeep Compass
- Wikipedia.org: Jeep MK Compass
