New Jeep Compass is a rugged and comfy SUV packed with goodness… it’s a rock solid choice as an everyday family motor

I AM yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love a Jeep. 

The OG. 

Copied by Land Rover. 

Tough as boots. 

Goes anywhere. 

Does everything. 

SPECIAL K

I tested Kia’s K4 GT-Line – it’s the perfect replacement for beloved axed motor

STILL A GOOD SPORT

Kia’s good-looking new Sportage GT-Line has a VERY eye-catching feature

Always dirty. 

Just cool. Really cool. 

I’m amazed we don’t see more on the roads of Great Britainland. 

Maybe that’s about to change with this next-gen Compass joining the ranks alongside the dinky Avenger. 

It’s not nails like the iconic Wrangler. You can’t go al fresco with it by whipping off the roof and doors. 

It’s more of a sensible, everyday family motor — but with lots of Jeep goodness baked in. 

Hard-wearing seats. 

Thick plastic mats. 

Grab handles. 

Red terrain switch for sport, snow, sand or mud. 

Any red button in a car is usually a fun button. Except for hazard lights, obviously, which might mean you’ve had too much fun. 

Then there’s the “X” detailing (like the middle of a jerry can), seven-slot grille logos dotted about the place — and even N, E, S and W imprinted on all sides of the car. 

It’s a Compass, innit. 

Which brings me nicely to my next point. 

This is only the second car I’ve driven with Apple CarPlay Ultra. So you can have Waze satnav filling the driver’s display in front of you.  

We like that. The other car was an Aston Martin. 

Compass now comes in two power types — self-charging hybrid and pure electric. The hybrid combines a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 21kW electric motor producing 145hp. 

It’ll do low-speed manoeuvres without waking the petrol engine and it averaged 46mpg over 600 miles. Not bad for a boxy SUV. 

It’s proper comfy, too, with lots of space in all directions — and handy storage for everyone on board. The pure electric Compass is 213hp with a 310-mile battery. Four-wheel drive EV to follow later. 

Other observations . . .  

All versions can swim in at least 40cm of water. Good to know with all the weather we’ve been having. 

Reinforced bumpers provide extra protection — whether you’re in Notting Hill or the Welsh hills. 

Even the paint colours — Yosemite silver, Antarctica white, Hawaii green, inset, below, and Pacific blue — play on its ruggedness. 

Car nerds will know Compass is closely related to the Vauxhall Grandland and Citroen C5 Aircross underneath. 

But you’ll want the Jeep more.