Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass is a not-quite SUV, with a clutched 4x4 system with a front-wheel drive bias instead of permanent 4wd, so think of it like a soft-roader rather than a mountain goat. Not quite enough to tempt you away from better rivals.

• Comfort

  The ride can be jittery on broken tarmac, so the Compass never really impresses with its waftability. You can see out of it though.

  

• Performance

  Two motors, one a dull 125kW 2.4-litre petrol, the other a turbolagtastic 103kW 2.0-litre diesel. Neither impress and give similar performance figures - both take around 11 seconds to 100km/h and mid-teens over the ton. A better set of engines would have made this a better car.

  

• Cool

  You have to ask?

  

• Quality

  The usual Jeep interior of bold shapes and a slightly low-rent execution. Plastics are grey, shiny chrome inserts look a bit cheapo. Drivetrains are ancient but mineproof.

  

• Handling

  It might handle well enough for a small SUV, but the Compass never really stands out in any area. A decent enough average score, but where this small Jeep gains in car-like levels of grip, it loses in a complete loss of fun.

  

• Practicality

  Seating for five is excellent and the boot is OK at 463litres. The seats fold too. Again, an average performance.

  

• Running costs

  You'll get around 6.5L/100km from the diesel, with the petrol returning only 8.7L/100km.