Jeep Compass: Variants Explained

The Jeep Compass is available in three main trims and three optional variants but the engine, transmission and drivetrain options make for an eclectic and perplexing mix. So which variant should you put your money on?

Launched on July 31, 2017, the Jeep Compass is priced between Rs 15.40 lakh and 22.90 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Its prices increased by upto Rs 72,000 post the increase in cess over GST w.e.f. September 9, 2017, though if you are planning to buy one they are still quite attractive.

Highlights

• The Compass is available in four trim levels – Sport (base), Longitude and the range-topping Limited. There are three more optional trims as well, based on the top two variants – Longitude (O) and Limited (O). In all, there are 13 variants to choose from, including the 4x4 variant which is available only in the top-end diesel spec.

• If you fancy buying the petrol Compass, the 1.4-litre MultiAir II turbocharged petrol engine is available only with the base-spec Sport and top-spec Limited 4x2 variants.  

• The base petrol Sport trim can only be had with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the top-spec Limited petrol trims are only available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

• The diesel doesn’t offer an automatic option yet. However, the diesel auto (9-speed auto) is expected to be launched in the first half of 2019.

• Only the diesel-powered Compass gets the 4x4 option in the top-spec Limited, Limited (O) and Limited (Plus) trims.

Standard Safety Features 

• Dual-front airbags 
• Standard braking safety tech include electric parking brake, anti-lock brake system with electronic brake distribution, HBFC, PBA (panic brake assist), four disc brakes and adaptive brake lights

• Hill start assist and ESC (electronic stability control) and TCS (traction control system)
• Daytime running lamps (non-LED)

• ISOFIX child seat anchors 
• All season tyres
• Electronic roll mitigation 
• Dynamic Steering Torque 

Colour Options  

• Vocal White 
• Brilliant Black
• Minimal Grey 
• Hydro Blue
• Exotica Red

Engines 

• Diesel: 2.0-litre EcoDiesel (Fiat Multijet II)
• Petrol: 1.4-litre MultiAir II (Fiat)

Jeep Compass Sport 

Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi)

Features 

• Quad halogen headlamps
• Rides on 16-inch steel wheels 
• Comes with electrically adjustable outside rear-view mirrors 
• Offers all-black interior with fabric upholstery 
• Manual air conditioning 
• Equipped with FCA’s Uconnect 5.0 touchscreen infotainment system. The unit features a 5-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, voice command and hands-free calling along with voice text reply (not compatible with iPhone devices)

Is it worth buying?

The base Jeep Compass Sport is priced very aggressively in the mid-sized SUV space. If you’re on a budget and want to join the Jeep bandwagon, this is the variant for you. The Sport trim doesn't skimp on safety either and offers almost all of the Compass' safety features, including ESC and TCS! But Jeep has missed out on some essentials such as rear-parking sensors and the AC is manual, which is disappointing for a car that’s priced over Rs 15 lakh. On the infotainment front, Jeep offers a 5-inch touchscreen in its base trim. It’s the same as in other markets but doesn’t offer support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.  

Jeep Compass Longitude/ Longitude (O)

Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi)

Over the Sport trim, the Longitude offers:

• Dual-tone interior: black and beige 
• Offers front and rear fog lamps 
• Rides on 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels 
• Equipped with passive keyless entry system with engine push-button start-stop 

• Automatic power folding outside rearview mirrors
• Offers rear parking sensors 

Longitude (O) additionally offers Uconnect 7.0 featuring a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support along with controls for the dual-zone climate control system (with activated carbon filter). Also offered are projector headlamps and black roof rails.  

Is it worth buying?

The Longitude ups the premium quotient while the Longitude (O) enhances the experience further with the addition of a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen with support for CarPlay and Android Auto. Dual-zone climate control has also been added along with projector headlamps in the Limited (O). In our books, the Longitude (O) is the Compass to go for if you want this SUV. Sadly, both the Longitude and the Longitude (O) are not offered with a petrol option which makes the about Rs 2 lakh premium over the Sport variant quite steep.  

Jeep Compass Limited/Limited (O)

Limited 

Limited (O)

Over the Longitude (O), the Limited gets:  

• Dual-tone interior: black and grey 

• Comes upholstered in ‘Ski-Grey’ McKinley leather with ‘Ruby Red’ stitching

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

• The Uconnect 7.0 gets rear camera guidance 
• Door scuff plates 
• Rides on 17-inch wheels with a different set of alloys 

• The diesel 4x4 variant is equipped with Jeep Active Ride with Selec-Terrain system, which offers Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud driving modes

• The diesel 4x4 variant offers a total of six airbags (dual-front, side and curtain airbags) 

The Limited (O) additionally offers High-intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and dual-tone paint scheme (black painted roof)

Is it worth buying?

Hands down, the Limited trim offers the widest choice of engine and drivetrain options. It is the only variant that offers an automatic option – a 7-speed dual-clutch auto with the 1.4-litre turbo petrol. Also, only in this variant you get a 4x4 option with a 2.0-litre diesel/6-speed manual transmission. So, if you wish to go off-roading, the Limited/Limited (O)/ Limited Plus diesel 4x4 is a no-brainer. Besides, it’s the only variant to offer six airbags.

Limited Plus

• Panoramic sunroof: This is the only variant that gets one, in case a sunroof ranks high on your must have list.

• Auto headlamps with bigger 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

• Gets rain-sensing wipers and auto dimming IRVM, but still misses out on cruise control

• 8-way power adjustable driver seat with 4-way power lumbar support and memory function

• 

• Instead of the 7-inch touchscreen, you get the bigger 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Is it worth buying?

If you are eyeing the Jeep Compass and were already stretching your budget for the Limited (O), then why not add almost Rs 1 lakh more for this top-spec model? It would not affect the EMIs drastically either. Moreover, with a sunroof, bigger touchscreen and some more convenience features, it even justifies the premium you pay.

If you fancy your Compass to look different from the others, then there are special editions called the Bedrock and the Black Pack.

Related: New Special Edition Cars: redi-GO Limited Edition, Jeep Compass Bedrock, Honda City Edge And More