2017 Jeep Compass: Which variant should you buy?

Jeep offers the Compass SUV with petrol and diesel engine options and five trim levels. We tell you which one to choose.

Published On Oct 17, 2017 07:00:00 AM

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2017 Jeep Compass: Which variant should you buy?

Jeep had launched its Compass at with an aggressive price tag, five variant levels and two engine options. The 2.0-litre diesel-engine Compass is available in Sport, Longitude, Longitude (O), Limited and Limited (O), while the 1.4-litre petrol version comes in Sport, Limited and Limited (O) trims.

The diesel engine is a four-cylinder, turbocharged unit, putting out 173hp and 350Nm of peak torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Four-wheel drive is an optional extra on the higher-spec diesel. The petrol mill churns out 163hp and 250Nm of torque, and comes paired to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

While there are a total of eight options to choose from, the diesel-engine model to go for is the Longitude (O) variant that is Rs 1.86 lakh more than the base (diesel) Sport trim. While it is a mid-spec trim, the Longitude (O) comes with features like a 7.0-inch infotainment system (U-Connect) with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone automatic climate control, front and rear arm rests, reverse parking sensors, push-button start with keyless entry and go, traction control, ESC, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, cornering front fog lamps and rear fog lamps.

For a big price premium of Rs 83,000, the higher-spec Limited 4x2 diesel additionally gets only a few key features like a reverse parking camera and LED tail-lamps. Hence, this variant doesn’t really spell value.

However, if you’d prefer a petrol engine, then the variant to choose is the Limited 4x2, which is priced at Rs 18.96 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), as it comes with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and all the equipment mentioned above. What the Limited (O) has over the Limited variant are high-intensity discharge headlamps and contrast-black roof for a price premium of approximately Rs 72,000.

The Jeep, with its high ground clearance and all-season tyres, is fairly capable to tackle rough terrains, even in two-wheel-drive spec. However, if price is no object, and if you want a four-wheel-drive, then the diesel-engined Limited 4x4 is the one to buy at Rs 20.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Not only do you get side and curtain airbags, but you also get Jeep’s Selec-Terrain all-wheel-drive system that gives this Compass the go-anywhere ability.

The Jeep Compass is a tough-as-nails SUV tha3t truly carries forward Jeep’s off-road DNA. It’s well-built, has a good amount of features and what’s more is that it’s priced very competitively compared to rivals like the Mahindra XUV500 (Rs 12.65-17.67 lakh), the Hyundai Tucson (Rs 17.99-25.19 lakh) and the Honda CR-V (Rs 24.07-26.49 lakh).