Jeep Compass - Launched competitively in India: 2017-Aug

[deepam]

Jeep Compass:
http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/cars/from-ford-ecosport-ertiga-to-jeep-compass-can-increasing-use-of-hot-stamping-make-cars-safer-/59629359

Even with Hot stamping technology implemented, vehicle is 1700 kg.
Compared to Baleno which is ~ 865/890 kg

 

[deepam]

Jeep Compass booking reaches 4000 mark;
http://indianautosblog.com/2017/07/jeep-compass-gathers-4000-bookings-india-275813

 

[deepam]

Jeep Compass launched: Competitive ₹ 14.95 lakh for the entry-level Sport petrol and goes up to ₹ 20.65 lakh (ex-showroom) top end diesel
Jeep Compass Petrol Prices:
Variants Price
Sport ₹ 14,95,000
Limited ₹ 18,70,000 (AT)
Limited Option ₹ 19,40,000 (AT)

Jeep Compass Diesel Prices:
Variants Price
Sport ₹ 15,45,000
Longitude ₹ 16,45,000
Longitude Option ₹ 17,35,000
Limited ₹ 18,05,000
Limited Option ₹ 18,75,000
Limited 4x4 ₹ 19,95,000
Limited Option 4x4 ₹ 20,65,000

https://auto.ndtv.com/news/jeep-compass-suv-launched-in-india-prices-start-at-rs-14-95-lakh-1731370

http://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/2017-jeep-compass-launched-at-rs-1495-lakh-405565

 

[deepam]

So finally yesterday night got to see the Jeep Compass. All 3 variants were on display in dealership in Hyderabad:

1. Sport [White color]
2. Longitude [Red color]
3. Limited [Minimal Grey - which is Silver]

Build quality is good. Doors and bonnets are heavy.
Steering has tilt and telescopic.
Here are some facts, which I do not understand on FCA thought process.

1. No Parcel shelf on variant Sport, Longitude. Parcel Shelf need to be bought as Accessory.
2. Spare tyre on Longitude and Limited is different [205/65/R16, when the original is 215/60/R17]. What savings are done by a manufacturer? Spare wheel part is anyway different [even then Sport], why could not the spare wheel rim be 17" with same original tyres. Savings of max 4000? When customers are paying premium prices - why this mentality. Example cited of higher brands like Audi and Mercedes Benz.
3. Even in Limited variant, there is no Cruise Control. hugh - S-cross which has Ex-showroom price of Rs 971700/- has cruise control and what made Jeep forget to provide this feature? It is just a software module and few buttons to take of this. How much would it cost? This rebuts the claim made by FCA that they are providing a Global car. The argument of the Sales personnel is Cruise control is not applicable in Indian roads and is not a feature worth to have, to which I replied on NH44 north of Hyderabad from Dichpally to Adilabad one can easily use Cruise control. Similarly South of Hyderabad from Veldurthi to Chikballapura one can easily use Cruise control.
4. I would have loved to have extra thigh support for rear seats. Not comfortable for 5 seats as in Duster / Terrano.
5. I would have loved to have this car little longer to have boot space of 480-500 litres.
6. The bonnet does not have automatic strut and I would have loved to have it. Instead it has stick to be fitted to hold the bonnet up.

To summarize it up, one need to compromise on one or the other aspect when buying a car.

 

[SachinOnTop]

A relative tried it. Strictly a 4-seater. 3rd on rear bench is not even a squeezing possibility!

2 of them tried the rear seat (6-ft males and XXL frame), although it felt comfy and luxurious in its price bracket, they couldn't imagine a third person sitting between them. Legspace and headspace is manageable, but overall width of rear seat disappointed them a lot.

As per him, it's strictly meant for a self-driven small family. For chauffeur driven instances, make sure your chauffeur is a dwarf so that you can get more space at his back.

He is going to finalise his decision after getting a test drive soon.

 

[deepam]

A relative tried it. Strictly a 4-seater. 3rd on rear bench is not even a squeezing possibility!

2 of them tried the rear seat (6-ft males and XXL frame), although it felt comfy and luxurious in its price bracket, they couldn't imagine a third person sitting between them. Legspace and headspace is manageable, but overall width of rear seat disappointed them a lot.

As per him, it's strictly meant for a self-driven small family. For chauffeur driven instances, make sure your chauffeur is a dwarf so that you can get more space at his back.

He is going to finalise his decision after getting a test drive soon.

+++++++++++++
Agreed, as this is done to accommodate 2 holders of 1 litre size on each of the rear doors.

 

[SachinOnTop]

^
I mean seriously, you think that bottle holders were the actual reason for this?
Or were you trying to be sarcastic for narrow width of Compass?

 

[Theloststory]

I am thrilled by the pricing of Jeep Compass and I am almost considering booking one myself. The specs are awesome. Its not a narrow car, its specs are very similar to the Skoda Yeti, which was a fairly comfortable car, and we have drive one to Spiti Valley with 5 people inside and their luggage and were comfortable. The Compass has slightly bigger luggage space than the Yeti.

 

[deepam]

^
I mean seriously, you think that bottle holders were the actual reason for this?
Or were you trying to be sarcastic for narrow width of Compass?

+++++++++++
Sachin,
I am not sarcastic here, I would have expected the car seat width to comfortably seat 3 Adults [2 adult with XXL and 1 adult with XL] in the rear seat. I thought Jeep would consider that seriously.
When you are competing with Innova Crysta in terms of pricing, then my opinion it should have been the case.

 

[deepam]

I am thrilled by the pricing of Jeep Compass and I am almost considering booking one myself. The specs are awesome. Its not a narrow car, its specs are very similar to the Skoda Yeti, which was a fairly comfortable car, and we have drive one to Spiti Valley with 5 people inside and their luggage and were comfortable. The Compass has slightly bigger luggage space than the Yeti.

==========
It is not a narrow car, bigger than Yeti both width and length wise.
Rear sear can accommodate 3 Adults in size L or lower comfortably. When there is one XXL adult in rear seat it is going to cause discomfort.

I am spoiled by Terrano boot space of 475 litres and expect more! Though 438 litres may be sufficient.
Build quality is rock solid and is worth the money!
Please do share your buying and ownership experience. Happy driving.