Jeep Compass Diesel Automatic 4x2 Review

We took the top-end 4x2 automatic for a brief test drive and also test how the car is while off-roading. 

Jeep Compass Diesel Automatic 4x2 ( Image Source :Somnath Chatterjee )

The Compass has been the backbone for the Jeep sales but the removal of petrol engines have impacted them a bit hence, Jeep has announced a new trim along with a slew of changes to make the Compass more desirable. One of the key changes has been to make the Compass diesel automatic more affordable along with covering a larger share of the market. The new Compass diesel automatic 4x2 drops the Compass automatic price by Rs 6 lakh and also Jeep has shuffled some other variants.

 

 

The Compass range overall is more affordable but the automatic 4x2 Compass is the biggest highlight as you can get one now for under Rs 24 lakh starting while the fully loaded 4x2 automatic is below 30 lakh. We took the top-end 4x2 automatic for a brief test drive and also test how the car is while off-roading. 

 

 

This isn't just a small update as the new Compass also gets a refreshed design for its 18-inch alloys and a new grille while the interiors on the top-end trim we drove, continues to be high quality and feature packed while rear seat space remains a bit tight. Previously you could have gotten the automatic with the 4x4 but now with the 4x2, Jeep wants to increase its sales.

 

 

The specs include its tried and tested 2.0l diesel with 170bhp/350Nm along with a 9-speed automatic. With 4x2, the Compass automatic is lighter and that also results in a better efficiency of 16.2 kmpl.

 

 

We only spent a short time behind the wheel but it was enough to figure out how much lighter the 4x2 feels while performance is better too. The engine remains slightly noisy but power is ample along with the 9-speed auto working well with this powertrain. Like any diesel, the strong torque propels the Compass and we also noticed a lighter steering. The 4x2 overall feels lighter, has more performance while our short off-road drive also showed that it can do off-road and it surprised us.

 

 

Honestly, it is more than enough and it is more capable than some AWD SUVs out there!  Part reason for this is that the first gear ratio is same as the 4x4 and enables crawl capability. 

 

 

With a massive price drop and making the automatic more accessible, the Jeep Compass would a lot more popular now and unless you do off-roading or need the 4x4 capability, the 4x2 is a better value proposition.