First drive review: the new 2011 Jeep Compass does not suck

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Here’s what just about everyone thought of the old Jeep Compass: It sucked.

No, it wasn’t just its goofy face that looked like a kindergartener’s drawing of a Jeep. No, it wasn’t the lack of any, real off-road ability. Nope – it wasn’t even the interior that felt like a Cold War era, East German car. It was its name…

T’was no Jeep!

Then, just a few months back, we at TFLcar.com began to hear rumblings of a new, improved Jeep Compass. I was surprised as I half expected Jeep to toss the Compass away just like the Commander. Nope, they opted to adopt a completely different plan.

They FIXED the Compass – it’s now a Jeep!

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Simply put, it was redesigned to be a baby brother to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. This is the same path Jeep took with the improved Patriot as it looks a bit like a 3/4th Wrangler Unlimited. I like the new nose. I have to admit, on more than one occasion, I confused the new Compass for the Grand Cherokee – at a distance. Jeep’s design crew was brave to attempt such a change.

Better yet – the mechanicals allow this formally wimpy car to drive in the rough. How rough? Armed with the Freedom Drive II package (which is the same system available in the Patriot) it gains a “Trail Rated” badge. This is not to be taken lightly as that insures the ability to successfully tackle the Rubicon.

Dude – I’ve BEEN there… the Rubicon is a mucho-tough test.

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Jeep invited TFLcar.com up to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to put their new line of vehicles to the test on tarmac, ice, dirt, snow, mud and rutted roads filled with elk-poop. I teamed up with Rick Péwé who is the editor-in-chief of 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine and knows a thing or two about off-road ability (he’s not exactly timid behind the wheel). Put simply, we beat the crap out of the 2011 Jeep Compass off road.

When all was said and done, it did everything asked of it and drove us back to the hotel without any rattles, smells or smoke.

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Regular on-road driving feels slightly sportier than its brother the Jeep Patriot; I suppose that’s because of the steeply raked windshield and lower roof. Dynamically, it’s the same vehicle as the Patriot minus about 100-lbs. Road noise has improved, but the racket the continuously variable transmission (CVT) makes is still audible. I know Jeep is saddled with this transmission and has had to make the most of it. It’s still sluggish, but at least it can drop down to a 19:1 crawl ratio – which comes in handy.

Jeep only gave us the Freedom Drive II models, so we can’t say if the feel is the same on the Freedom Drive I (aka AWD) models.

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Here’s some quick and dirty info about the 2011 Jeep Compass 4X4 equipped with Freedom Drive II:

• It’s about an inch higher (only 4X4s are lifted).
• It is WAY better looking.
• It’s got a vastly improved interior with optional heated fronts seats.
• It still has the CVT.
• 4X4 system can lock up and send 50% of its torque to the rear wheels.
• There’s an electronically controlled coupling attached to the rear differential.
• 172 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 165 lbs-feet of torque is standard in everything but the FWD base model which has a 158 hp, 141 lb-ft of torque engine.
• It can tow up to 2,000 lbs.
• In regular driving, the 4X4 system acts like an AWD setup for maximum traction.
• The 2011 Jeep Compass 4X4 can get up to 22 mpg city and 28 mpg city.
• It’s capable of fording up to 19-inches of water.
• The new trim names are “Latitude” (mid-level) and “Limited” (top-level)
• Jeep’s 2011 Compass 4X4 approach angle is 29.6 degrees, break-over angle is 31.2 degrees and departure angle is 23.6 degrees.
• Did I mention it was WAY better looking?
• It costs about $2,000 dollars more than the comparable 2011 Jeep Patriot – I don’t know why.
• A 2011 Jeep Compass starts at $19,995 and the well equipped 2011 Jeep Compass Limited 4X4 with Freedom Drive II starts at $26,695.

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The interior is rather similar to the Jeep Patriot and it has the new, improved, three-spoke corporate steering wheel. I like the thickness although some did not like the lower third spoke. I liked the soft-touch interior and was impressed at the build quality throughout. I wish Jeep did a bit more to differentiate the interior design with the Jeep Patriot’s interior as they look similar.

Still, as a regular, every-day vehicle that has to be comfortable and easy to use, this interior is quite comfy. In fact, I can say that about the whole 2011 Jeep Compass. It IS a vehicle that would be easy to drive every day; yet, given a challenging trail (and when properly equipped) it can play in the dirt.

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So, to recap: Better looking, nicer to drive, more comfortable, good fuel economy, off road capable, affordable and no longer a Jeep-joke… I would say that this little Jeep found Mojo it never had.

Well done Jeep – now give TFLCar one to play with in the Rocky Mountains!

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