Both off-roaders and Jeep fans were disappointed when news broke out that Jeep would discontinue production of the Compass. The plan was to discontinue both the Compass and the Patriot models and give consumers one model that incorporates both. Fortunately, Jeep has just announced two models of its crossover sports utility vehicle at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Jeep Compass and Jeep Compass Trailhawk.
The Jeep Compass Design
The new Compass will still have the Jeep trademark seven-slotted grille in front but will now look closer to the Grand Cherokee than its predecessor. It will have 17-inch off-road tires and will have almost an inch higher of ride height. The unique rectangular LED tail lamps added will also have a flowing design.
On the inside, the design will look like a hybrid of the Cherokee with multiple buttons to give the driver full control functionality. A 3.5 or seven-inch LED instrument cluster is available for the compass and a steering wheel that has integrated audio, voice and speed controls. The center console will house either a five, seven or an 8.4 inch UConnect touchscreen with the latter two getting Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity. The Trailhawk offers a more rugged trim that is rated best in class in trail-rated four-wheel drives. This off-roader gets chunkier tires, a sportier signature red tow hook both in the front and the rear end, and a 20:1 crawl ratio.
Comfortable Design
Being an off-road vehicle does not mean that the driver and occupants comfort should be taken for granted. Jeep ensures that the ride is comfortable even when being used on public roads by using state of the art technology and sculpted seats made out of high-quality material. A large open-air dual pane sunroof can also be found and is one of the largest openings in the cabin. The Compass has a power lift gate that opens up to a multi-level rear cargo floor.
The Jeep Performance And Safety
In the U.S., only a 2.4liter inline four engine is available. This powertrain puts out 180horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic is available for the front wheel drive variant. The four-wheel drive variant gets a nine-speed automatic transmission and is capable of achieving 20 miles per gallon. The Trailhawk is capable of towing up to 2000 pounds.
The Compass is equipped with a number of active and passive security systems that includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic, a back up camera and autonomous emergency braking. You can go and visit the Los Angeles Auto Show to have a first look at the new 2017 Jeep Compass and Compass Trailhawk.
