Compass is Jeep’s 2nd best seller, and although the brand’s sales are somewhat modest, it doesn’t take away from the huge success, off-road superiority, and massive brand identity. There is a butchness about the brand that attracts some, but may put others off.

Compass got itself a facelift, bringing technical updates, among other things.

The quality control and reliability had taken a hit, with patchy manufacturing control and defects making ownership a nightmare. Jeep claim these issues have been fixed and off lifetime roadside assist as a reassurance.

Outside, Jeep made Compass is a vehicle to bring that go-anywhere attitude to the burbs. After all, people buy the lifestyle they want, which is rarely the one they actually have. In fact, Trail Hawk, which sits atop the Compass tree, is an incredibly capable off-roading hatch. It is small enough to park at the local shops, but beefy enough to get out and amongst the spice of the pine trees and the bite of mountain air.

It is in that spirit where is meant to be most at home. It has off-roading controls, drive modes for snow and rock, 4X4 for mud and muck, climate control to combat the beastly weather, and rugged suspension for the hard knocks.

Jeep knows what we all know, most SUVs got no further than the city limits. What a shame.

Compass Trail Hawk is incredibly cosy, and very comfortable, especially on the highway. In many ways it is the smaller sister Grand Cherokee had to have.

Download BROCHURE HERE: Jeep Compass Brochure

Download Specifications HERE: 2022-Compass-BG-June

This Week Review: 2022 Jeep Compass Trail Hawk – The Good and the Bad

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ABOVE: 2022 Jeep Compass Range – Trail Hawk

Outside:

The electric-shaver grille is a bit of an icon, whether or not it wants to be.

LED lights lack the Matrix touch, but they still light the night with the enthusiasm of a small sun, dipping respectfully at the first sight of an oncoming trucker. We’ve all seen Dual and ain’t nobody got time for that.

The kick-to-open tail gate swings up gracefully, but only if you Walk with a Bounce, and know the code.

Compass Trail Hawk is quite handsome, given that some of the previous Jeep designs have been looks-challenged.

Inside:

Americans are great at making cars that go fab in straight lines, and that are super-comfy inside. The latter applies to Compass Trail Hawk, but certainly not the former. The bright red Trail Hawk logo is emblazoned across the leatherwork. There is the same message liberally dotted elsewhere, but inside is where you want to be.

First off, the Alpine speakers are great at knocking out your favourite beats with the enthusiasm of a DJ on a bender. It is powered by a Uconnect5 head unit with wireless CarPlay/Android auto. Thankfully those clever old yanks have no intention of renting you the privilege like its German opponent is doing.

There are outlets aplenty. USB and 12V power are expected, but the household outlet let’s punters plug in their PCs. You could also fire up a fridge, or sync up a stove. Remember, you might be roughing it out bush, but that doesn’t mean there is an excuse to go without.

5 beefy blokes will fit in, but the gym-fit bunnies in back will need to be good mates because the space is tight with 3 abreast.

Seat heating is optional up front, which we think is a cheek.

The drive:

Pushbutton entry and start will fire up the little SUV without the driver fumbling about in his gusset. The key, secret about his person, is sensed by onboard systems that wake Compass from her slumber.

The 125kw diesel is a little on the rattly side, bit only from the outside. Inside, the cabin is rather blissful, and the ride, quite smooth. Off road, the pax are only jostled by the most hideous of nature’s wrath.

I could imagine doing quite the road trip, and in town, parking is done with the ease of waving a white hanky. The automated system is one of the simplest, and the same goes for the 4X4 selection.

There are the usual driver and safety aids, and they felt a little less intrusive. The constant bong and bings were a different story altogether.

The drivers are set for a leisurely experience with acceleration that sounds fairly enthusiastic, but is, in fact, quite relaxed. Light steering and automated parking make driving the Compass a carefree affair. The body feels taut, but handling, like the acceleration, is relaxed.

There are bags of space, with Compass roughly the size of a Kia Sportage, but the Jeep is more able when off-road.

It isn’t ground-breaking, but it doesn’t need to be. Compass just has to do what it says on the box, and that it does.

Conclusion:

Jeep Compass is a very capable SUV, that is comfortable in most places on the planet. It is overlooked by many, but at nearly $60,000 drive away, it isn’t cheap. But, is it good value? Only a buyer can tell.

  • 2022 Jeep Compass Trail Hawk
  • Price: $54,000
  • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl turbo diesel.
  • Power: 125kw/350Nm
  • Econ: 6.9L/100k
  • Trans: 9-speed automatic

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