Although the Jeep Compass Limited has all-wheel drive, it doesn't promise to be a serious off-roader.
It's an attempt to give Jeep a home in the suburbs by offering a vehicle that "combines the packaging and functionality of a sport-utility vehicle with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car", according to the manufacturers.
This one's for the girls
My wife and her army of female companions labelled the Compass a "Girly Jeep" and I'm quite happy with that. There are a number of clues in its design that suggest this Jeep was built with women in mind.
It's the kind of vehicle you'd expect to see mom zipping off in to pick up the kids from school and then nipping down to the shops to buy the groceries.
But while the Compass can comfortably compete with the features offered by most SUV's, the whole package doesn't live up to the standards set by Jeep's other models.
The seating is very comfortable but feels like it was built for someone just a few centimetres shorter than me, as shown by the rear-view mirror, which remained about halfway below my eye-line even when tilted to the maximum.
More plastic than Barbie
Cabin and exterior finishes are lightweight plastic and there's lots of it. Door panels, handles, consoles, head restraints - the list goes on - are very obviously all popped out from injection moulds, making the Compass feel like an enlarged version of those scale-model cars you find in toyshops.
The only non-synthetic material is the leather trim on the seats.
The women saw that in a different light.
"It's easy to wipe the inside with a damp cloth when the kids mess on it," one of them remarked. One up for the 'Girly' team.
But everyone agreed that the cargo area was problematic. The floor panel in this rear area is a plastic version of chequer plate, apparently used in the hope that its ridges will create enough friction to keep parcels and packages secured. The exact opposite is true.
A load of groceries loaded in the back spent so much time loudly rolling about that I was worried both the goods and the Jeep's interior would be permanently damaged by the time I got home. This problem was eased - but not cured - by securing the shopping with a couple of bungee cords attached to the handy hook points in the rear.
Roar and rattle
At least the Compass doesn't lack for power. The 2.4-litre petrol engine - delivering a claimed 125kw at 6200rpm and 220Nm at 4500rpm - responds well and the power has an "always on" feeling thanks to variable valve timing.
It won't leap away from the mark accompanied by squealing tyres but then owning a Jeep is not about driving like a wanker.
Gear changes lacked a positive feel and I was never too sure if I had my selection correct but the ratios are wide and prevent constant up and down changes, which is especially important in urban driving. This made me even more curious to see how the diesel-powered version with continuously variable transmission would fare.
The Compass can also be easily locked into 4x4 mode for harsher weather conditions or pavement climbing when parking is scarce. Even when driving in standard mode the handling remained solid and the vehicle felt sure-footed despite the rollover warning stickers prominently displayed in the cabin.
It was let down, however by an engine that clattered like an early 80's diesel plant and tremendous road noise and vibration.
From both sides now
This still didn't seem to bother the women much. They were willing to overlook what they considered minor blemishes because they felt that Jeep had designed a SUV for "the girls".
So they went on about the "lovely" sunroof, its "perfect size for mall parking" spots and its heatable seats. They cooed over the trip computer and its readouts for tyre pressure, fuel consumption, external temperature and heading.
They were most taken in by the computer's range feature, which provides an indication of how much further you can drive on the available fuel.
They were also impressed by its strong - but not aggressive - styling and the beautiful colour (the brochure calls it Marine Blue Pearl). Here I must give Jeep its due. The Compass Limited certainly does turn heads and even other Jeep owners sidled over to inspect it more closely whenever we parked.
And while I may never want for a Compass Limited there's a strong possibility that Jeep has won over a whole new market for its vehicles.
Prices
Compass Limited 2.0L CRD Auto - R279 900
Compass Limited 2.4L CVT Auto - R254 900
Compass Limited 2.4L Man - R244 900
The Compass comes with a three year or 100 000km warranty and a three year or 100 000km maintenance plan.