Jeep Compass S 4X4

I upgraded from a VW Polo 1.2MPi Highline to the Jeep Compass Model S 4X4 9AT. My previous car was the Mahindra XUV500 W8 which I exchanged. 

Interior

The build quality is great as you would expect from a Jeep. Most of the cabin feels really premium with that large tablet and digital instruments  but some of the switchgears in the interior feels very cheap. The seats are on the firmer side and the rear seats are more comfortable than the front ones. The leather even though good is only partially used in the seats and rest is fabric, the leather also has the tendency to get little bit wrinkled.

Engine & Gearbox

The 2.0L Diesel Engine feels noisy and that clatter and vibrations although very less as compared to outside does creeps in the interior. The insulation is excellent although and it shuts outside noise extremely well. The engine is very punchy although the gearbox calms it down and makes it more linear than punchy. The 9speed Torque Converter starts from 2nd gear in the auto mode and initial punch is definitely missing but once you pick the momentum it performs rather well and you can feel the punch then.

Ride Quality

The ride quality is excellent full marks there. You don’t even feel the potholes and undulations. Body control too is outstanding, the Frequency Selective Dampers are excellent in their operation.
As a VW owner I would say that Jeeps are made to feel robust whereas VWs are sophisticated.

Final Verdict

So if I had to select one among them I would go with VWs. They feel more premium and plush any day. Jeeps are for those who like their vehicle to be muscular and bulky and what not. So it’s different strokes for different folks and I would blindly choose VWs over Jeeps. I had cut marks on reliability as there are many reliability issues reported in global forums about Transmission, 4X4 Transfer Case failure etc. and now with even more tech going on I just hope it’s as reliable as a VAG at least.

I know that when you increase the tech reliability goes for a toss and even I’m fed up of Toyota’s famed reliability talks since they are barebones which is why reliable, so if I had to face more service costs and a few issues down the line I’m fine but it shouldn’t be major issues just that.

Overall I’m very happy and satisfied with my Purchase and only alternative I would have considered would be the VW Tiguan but it wasn’t available at the time of purchase. So as the things stand as of date Jeeps are the only other option which can live up to the expectations and demand of VW customers as Koreans and Japanese are just not to our liking.