The Jeep Compass was initially revealed in 2007 and continued to impress motorists throughout until the second-generation model was officially launched in Portugal featuring a number of improvements and enhancements. It is scheduled to debut in the Middle East at the Dubai International Motor Show, which will be held in November 2017. We were lucky enough to visit Portugal and took a test drive of the 2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk grade. Let’s give you a tour of the new Compass.
2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk Review
Walk Around
As you can see in the video and pictures, up front the 2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk features a unique seven-slot grille along with signature LED headlamps. At the back, it sports rectangular LED taillights and a power liftgate, while on the top you get an optional sunroof. You can choose between 16 and 17-inch wheel size depending on their preference. The overall wide stance of the 2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk gives it a sporty feel.
Cockpit Impression
As you step inside you feel the difference (if you have driven the previous models before). Compared to its predecessors, the overall height of the 2018 Jeep Compass has been increased by 2.5cm, while the wheelbase is about 80mm longer than the Jeep Renegade ensuring adequate headroom and interior space. The leather upholstery is extremely comfortable, and you can also enjoy cool air through the rear a/c vents. The front dash is equipped with an 8.4-inch touch display featuring navigation and a sound system.
With rear seats down, you can have a storage capacity of 1,693 liters, which is absolutely huge.
Engine Specification
The 2018 Jeep Compass will be available in four trim levels namely Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk. All the variants will carry the same engine i.e.
- 4-liter inline-four Tigershark petrol unit with MultiAir2 capable of delivering 184 horsepower and 237 Nm of torque.
The engine will be paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission system. The Italian-built MultiAir2 engine not only promises a phenomenal performance, but is also efficient in terms of fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Driving Dynamics
Jeep claims that the 2018 Compass has the best-in-class off-roading capabilities and we wouldn’t disagree with that. The 2018 Compass features two 4×4 systems – Jeep Active Drive and Jeep Active Drive Low. The Active Drive Low system improves the crawl ratio by 20:1 and directs maximum torque to any of the wheels. Besides the 4×4 systems, the 2018 Jeep Compass sports five drive modes including Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock.
We test drove on the Auto mode initially and were highly impressed with the ride comfort. Switching to mud mode on a really steep and uneven terrain, we felt the real magic of the 4×4 system allowing the crossover to easily pass through. On a rocky surface, we found the suspension system intelligently adapts itself to ensure a smooth and relaxing drive.
Driving along a straight track, we managed to hit the 60 mph mark in just 8.9 seconds. Yes, it’s not meant for speed, it’s a practical offroading crossover in every sense of the word.
Technological Features
As you can see inside, the 2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk boasts a large 8.4-inch touch display with an integrated Uconnect system. Occupants can connect their phones via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and control the infotainment system via voice commands. For music lovers, a Beats Premium audio system with 506-watt digital amplifier is also available.
Safety Features
The 2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk is loaded with latest safety features such as Electronic Parking Brake, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear-Cross Traffic Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Parkview Rear Camera and Electronic Stability Control. Moreover, the body sports ‘Safety Cage’ construction, which is made of 65 percent high-strength steel.
2018 Jeep Compass Price in UAE
The pricing details for the international market have not been announced yet, but we can expect the 2018 Compass to cost AED100,000 approximately.
Verdict
Keeping in perspective the off-roading capabilities and advanced safety features of the 2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk, we are sure it will impress the Emiratis, Saudis and other motorists across the GCC.