Introducing the Jeep Compass

Jeep’s all new compact 4×4 SUV is a new player in a crowded market. The Skoda Kodiaq and Volvo XC90 have just released, and the new Jaguar E-Pace is coming in 2018.

Why then, should the compass be your SUV of choice this year? Ape to Gentleman travelled to Lisbon, Portugal to find out.

If you’re looking for a car tailored to your needs, the Compass is offered in a petrol and two diesel engines, with eight different powertrain combinations and four different configurations.

The first three of these – Sport, Longitude, and Limited – are the top-of-the-range trim in terms of refinement, standard technological contents and equipment.

The fourth, Trailhawk, offers best-in-class Trail Rated 4×4 capability through specific standard features designed for customers demanding the most in terms of off-road capability.

The petrol engine offering includes a 1.4-litre MultiAir2 Turbo engine, while the diesels offer a 1.6-litre.

If you’re after a good looking motor, the new Jeep is refreshingly easy on the eye as SUVs go, with a wide stance, a seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches.

Jeep designers gave the grille a fresh look by setting each of the individual chrome slots in a Gloss Black field and adding LED headlamp bezels to give that bit of extra attitude.

If impressive cockpit tech is your thing, the Compass delivers communication, entertainment and navigation features including new Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as features for hands-free phone and voice texting.

The centre console neatly integrates the SUV’s functional features, including gear-shift selection, Selec-Terrain controls, electronic parking brake, engine stop-start (ESS) controls, climate and volume control knobs, and easily-accessible media charging and connectivity ports.

If you want a car that can be ensure to keep you safe, more than 70 active and passive safety and security features are on offer.

Forward Collision Warning-Plus, LaneSense Departure Warning-Plus, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection were included as paramount safety features in the design of the Compass, and the Automated Parallel and Perpendicular Park assist will keep your manoeuvres looking and feeling smooth.

The Compass might not be the first SUV you think of when looking for a new set of wheels this year, but with the world class features Jeep brought to the table this year, it’s definitely worth checking out.

The Compass, by JEEP