Jeep Compass long-term report: Still relevant in 2025!

Three months are up already? I guess time does fly when you’re having fun! I spent three months with the Jeep Compass on the daily commute, on inter-city runs, on support duty for shoots and everything in between. It has proved to be a hardy, willing, enthusiastic go-anywhere machine and I’m going to have a Compass-sized void in my garage once it leaves.

Highlights? That diesel engine. Refinement wasn’t its strong suit but it honestly didn’t matter when you felt that slug of torque. Or when you pulled up to a fuel pump and queued up for more affordable fuel. Fuel economy in the city was around 9kmpl but driven sensibly on the highway, it could stretch up to 20kmpl. And drive it on the highway we did – the Jeep was the go-to SUV for most of our long-distance inter-city runs. However, I must say, I did miss paddleshifters particularly when I was in the mood for some spirited driving. The auto ’box is smooth but you do need to occasionally take manual control for quick overtakes, especially to compensate for the typical lag these diesels have.

The wild outdoors was its element and it felt stable, planted and unshakeable. Ride quality is really nice and it feels settled on the highway. Even in the city, where the roads aren’t as good, it deals with bad bumps and potholes competently. There’s a slight firmness to it, but it gets a lot better as you pick up speed and seems to flatten everything in its path. The interiors are holding up well, save for the piano black bits around the gear selector being prone to dust. Another slightly annoying thing but not a deal breaker is that removing the parcel tray in the boot requires you to fold the rear seats down. Not ideal if you’ve got passengers in the car.

Problems? I did face one – it simply refused to start one afternoon. Jeep claims it was water contamination in the diesel and it wouldn’t start as a protective measure. It was picked up and promptly returned the next day with a service. I suspect the battery was swapped out as well, and I think that had something to do with the problem too. It did run a lot smoother and quieter after the service though!

There’s a new-generation Jeep Compass on the way — you can read all about it in the latest issue of the magazine. No official word on it coming to India but my guess is that it will. It looks exciting, but at the same time, I can’t help but be amazed at how this outgoing Compass manages to look handsome so many years after its launch. Simple design with good proportions that simply work. Combine that with its strong engine, sorted dynamics and well-appointed interior, it remains relevant even in 2025. Few cars remain recommendable at the fag end of their life cycle, but the Compass certainly manages that!