• Published On: 30 October 2017
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Jeep has launched a petrol-powered Compass but, will it prove to be as good as the diesel?

Jeep’s popular Compass has proved to be a winner for the company. Its impressive looks and premium feel has won the heart of Indian SUV buyers. To top that, it is feature rich and available at a competitive price. Until now, the Compass has only been available with a diesel motor but, it can now be had with a petrol engine. Will the petrol-powered Jeep Compass prove to be as good as the diesel? Let’s find out.

The petrol-engine-equipped Compass is only available as a front-wheel-drive. The SUV uses a 163hp, 1.4-litre petrol engine with an automatic transmission. The only difference between the diesel and the petrol are the alloy wheels. Other changes include a different gear lever and the higher redline. The petrol-powered Compass is also missing the 4x4 control panel, since it is only a two-wheel-drive SUV.

How does it drive?

The petrol Compass uses a Fiat-sourced 1,368cc turbo-petrol motor that makes 163hp and 250Nm. The small turbo motor manages to take the Compass to 100kph in just 10.29sec. However, in normal driving conditions, you can feel a huge lag below 2,000rpm. The motor only makes decent power once it crosses 2,200 rpm. After that, there is a sufficient surge of power. This petrol engine is smooth but not as refined as you’d have expected. The car is lounder than necessary at higher rpms. The seven-speed automatic works very well while cruising, however, in heavy traffic it can get jerky at times.

In its petrol avatar, the Compass works extremely well on bad roads, similar to its diesel sibling. The Jeep is unbeatable in terms of rough surface driving in its price range. The suspension feels like it’s on the stiffer side in the city but this in turn gives it a planted feel on the highway. There is next-to-no body roll and the Jeep feels balanced even when you’re taking corners. The well-weighted steering further adds to the car’s overall performance. The stopping power of this SUV is a big let-down, heavy braking unsettles the balance of the car considerably.

Should I buy one?

The version of the Compass does not offer the performance of the diesel. The gearbox could also be quicker, and the engine’s aggressive power delivery also takes time getting used to. The petrol Compass can only be had in the Limited and Limited (O) spec, priced at ₹18.96 and ₹19.67 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This makes it ₹26,000 - ₹28,000 more expensive than a similar trim 2.0-litre diesel 4x2 manual. The diesel is a lot more efficient and has more power and torque too. The diesel is the SUV of choice unless you are specifically looking for a SUV with a petrol engine and automatic gearbox.