Jeep Compass test drive since 2006 crossover
No cowboy without girlfriend
It is difficult to find another car company, so clearly focused on your buyer. And Commander, and Cherokee, Liberty, and Wrangler are designed for cool guys in cowboy hats. Now Jeep has created something fundamentally different from the entire previous one. We are talking about the Compass model. Price: 24 900. On sale: since October 2006Jeep Compass is the answer to the Japanese competitors of Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav4, which is completely owned by the hearts of the weaker sex. Thus, the company from the USA unceremoniously invades the promising segment of compact SUVs. This type of machine, called crossovers, is especially suitable for Russian megacities in which there is no real off -road, but there are ice, broken asphalt and high borders. In such conditions, the same way will have a 20-centimeter clearance, which, in combination with a high landing, will give confidence in the poorly lit streets of sleeping areas.
The appearance of Compass clearly indicates a belonging to the brutal family of American SUVs. If you look from another car in the rear view mirror, then the difference with older brothers will become completely inconspicuous. One word, twins. The corporate identity is expressed in round headlights and a radiator grille with seven slots, which give a similarity with some kind of toothy, but non-sound animal. The trapezoidal wheel arches also got from the ancestors. And the silhouette with a changed tilt of the windshield and an expressive hood has become completely new. The lateral part is characterized by very muscular wings, which create the illusion of a rather large object. In fact, Compass is the smallest jeep after the legendary Wrangler. Length 4405 mm, width 1810 mm, height 1630 (overall dimensions CR-V 4360x1780x1710, RAV4 4245x1785x1695), that is, the American exceeds the rivals in length and width.
For the new model, the developers proposed two options for decorating the exterior. The first consists in installing two additional headlights, which are attached at the bottom of the radiator grill. Each light source is protected by a black plastic case. The second option, including bumpers, thresholds, moldings and rear spoiler in addition to the headlights, is called Rally. Of course, this version could not do without 18-inch wheels (17-inch wheels are installed in the standard) and a chrome exhaust pipe.
The salon of a small jeep looks quite ascetic. Unfortunately, the elements of the instrument panel and handles are made of cheap plastic resembling parts from a children's designer. A solid and comfortable steering wheel, as well as well -reading speedometer dials, odometer, engine temperature sensors and gas tanks, are pleasantly contrasting with them. In the dark, they glow not irritating white.
In general, due to his toy, the salon should be evaluated by the four with a minus, although it is possible that someone will like this approach. And although they do not argue about tastes, we can safely say that the youth will like the original jeep chips. What is the Acoustic system of Boston Acoustics, the columns of which were installed on the trunk door! When the compartment is open, these columns turn in any direction, directing the sound in the right direction. Just a gift for street dancers.
And that is not all. The central armrest shifts forward by 76 mm, which makes life easier for drivers with slight growth. In addition, a tray for storing a mobile phone or player is built into the arm of the armrest. The folding seat of the front passenger, as if by magic, turns into a table. The fabric with which all the chairs are covered almost never got dirty and does not absorb unpleasant odors. Upon learning of this, my friend and colleague in the test conveniently settled in a chair and lit a cigarette. The piquancy of the situation lies in the fact that smoke in tested machines is strictly forbidden. Calmly! No one will know, Nikolai said confidently. I was not mistaken. An extraneous smell did not give out a violator of public order.
On the highway, a gasoline version equipped with a 2.4-liter engine with a capacity of 170 liters. p., behaves as befits the crossover with dignity. If you close your eyes and forget for a second in which car you are in, then, most likely, some middle class sedan will appear. Only the strain rink of the engine, accompanying the dynamic acceleration of the American. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 10.7 s. The use of automatic transmission will add another 0.6 s. Agree, a small price for the right not to load the left leg. The maximum speed also practically does not differ: 185 km/h manual 5-speed gearbox, 183 km/h automatic transmission. Of course, skeptics may object that there is nothing outstanding in these numbers. I agree. But, given the city purpose of the car, these indicators should be considered satisfactory. At least, Japanese rivals give about the same amount to the mountain.
We especially note the large external mirrors of black, thanks to which the driver is provided with a magnificent review. They say that the design of the burdocks was specially blowing into the aerodynamic pipe.
The second subject was the diesel Compass, which will appear with us next year. It is not just about diesel, but about a 2-liter 16-valve turbodiesel with a capacity of 140 liters. s., published by Volkswagen. Indeed, why invent a bicycle if someone has already done this? Such a motor is used together with a 6-speed gearbox. Automatic transmission in this case is not provided.
Regardless of the motor, Jeep Compass is really good in narrow city streets, where maneuverability is required. On high -speed highways, the novelty boldly put the four.
We move on to the most funny part of the off -road tests. Of course, Compass, as we have already said, cannot be considered a real SUV. The car was created for the city, and it is pointless to demand from it more. However, genes are genes and the car is capable of some feats. Our ward is prepared for operation on coatings with a low clutch coefficient, which it should be grateful to the Freedom Drive I drive system with a blocked center differential. In Lock mode, up to sixty percent of the torque is transmitted to the rear axle. In practice, this means that you will not have problems on shallow snow or on a solid country road. But to travel in December for a Christmas tree in the forest is not worth it. You risk celebrating the New Year right on the edge. Nevertheless, traffic in urban conditions will be in full. If you need to drive by real off -road, a cowboy will come to the rescue on his larger iron horse.
Now about prices. The basic equipment with a 2.4-liter engine and a 5-speed mechanics will cost 24900 euros. The maximum equipped version with the variator costs 28,700 euros.
INNOVATION
If the party lasted until late, a removable ceiling with an automatically loaded battery will help. It is built into the roof lining. This lamp can be used as a portable lamp. When the ceiling is in a regular place, it performs the interior lighting function.
Driving
Excellent controllability and maneuverability are combined with good dynamic indicators.
Salon
The elements of the instrument panel are made of cheap plastic.
Comfort
In front, there is enough space for both the driver and the passenger. But behind two large men will be crowded.
Safety
Window airbags are included in standard equipment. The use of high -strength steel made it possible to reduce the mass and increase the strength of the body.
Price
Competitive price for compact SUV. The minimum price of the novelty is 24900. You will have to pay 809 for an electric hatch, for alloy wheels 578, for the paint of metallic 462. The music center with GPS navigation is expensive 2543.
+ Good maneuverability, a large list of additional equipment.
Acoustic discomfort with dynamic acceleration.
Jeep Compass
Dimensions: 4405/1810/1630 mm
Engine: gasoline, V6, 2359 cm3, 170 hp/6000 min-1
Transmission: automatic, 5-speed
Dynamics: 185 km/h; 10.7 s to 100 km/h
Competitors: Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Rav4
Our opinion
The appearance of Compass has a certain logic. If Jeep produces SUVs for cowboys, then the real submissions of the prairies should have a ladies of the heart, who no longer travel on low -proceedings. Modern young ladies need a abrupt transport, for example, a small and very nice jeep with plush toys on the back sofa.
Text: Stanislav Pavlov
Source: Magazine 5 wheel [10/2006]