Jeep: Jeep for the Girls

Although the Jeep Compass Limited has all-wheel drive, it does not promise to be a serious off-road experience as it seems built for the girls. Manufacturers say it is an attempt to give Jeep a home in the semi urban areas by offering a vehicle that blends the packaging and functionality of a sport-utility vehicle with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car.

But it's actually the kind of vehicle you would expect to see mom zipping off in to pick up the kids from school and then nipping down to the stores to buy the groceries. The Compass can comfortably compete with the features offered by most SUVs like comfortable seats.

A lot of plastics are on the Compass Limited. Parts like cabin and exterior finishes, door panels, handles, consoles, head restraints and more are made up of plastic. These are very obviously all popped out from injection moulds, making the Compass feel like an enlarged version of those scale-model cars you find in toyshops.

The leather trim on the seats is the only non-synthetic material.

But most girls may probably agree that the cargo area gives some problem. The floor panel in this rear area is a plastic version of chequer plate, apparently used in the hope that its ridges will produce enough friction to keep parcels and packages secured. But the exact opposite is true.

Problems on the several grocery bags are eased but not cured - by securing the shopping with a couple of bungee cords attached to the handy hook points in the rear.

Despite some problems, the Compass doesn't lack for power. The 2.4-litre petrol engine, which delivers a claimed 125kw at 6200rpm and 220Nm at 4500rpm, responds well and the power has an "always on" feeling, and that is due to the variable valve timing. We still need to check the Jeep catalytic converter if it really suits a girl s attitude.

Gear changes lacked a positive feel and the ratios are wide and prevent constant up and down changes, which is very necessary in urban driving.

Furthermore, the Compass can be easily locked into a 4x4 mode for harsher weather conditions or pavement climbing when parking is inadequate. Even when driving in standard mode the handling is assured solid and the vehicle assure the sure-footed feeling despite the rollover warning stickers prominently displayed in the cabin.

Dragging the vehicle down, however, is an engine that clattered like an early 80's diesel plant, tremendous road noise and vibration.

Price for the Compass Limited 2.0L CRD Auto is at R279 900, R254 900 for the Compass Limited 2.4L CVT Auto, and R244 900 for the Compass Limited 2.4L Man.

The Jeep Compass comes with a three year or 100 000km warranty and a three year or 100 000km maintenance plan.

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Jeep: Jeep for the Girls

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