When Jeep India launched the Compass a couple years ago, it took the market by storm. Here was a product that delivered at a standard that we normally associated with higher end products and it came at a price point that was within reach of a large audience. The Jeep Compass was proof that quality products can be made at a relatively achievable price point and that other manufacturers need to wake up and get their line up sorted if they want to remain relevant.
Having said that, the one thing that prospective customers continuously asked for was a Jeep Compass diesel automatic variant. We always knew one would eventually be introduced, however, it was only in recent times that we got to learn that the Jeep Compass diesel automatic would be more than just that – it would arrive in the avatar of the Trailhawk and wear that hard earned Trail Rated badge!
In many ways, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is the version that of the successful Compass SUV that we all have been waiting for. After all, it comes with loads of new goodies that make the Compass even more desirable than before, and having gotten the chance to drive it, the Trailhawk has proved to be a rather impressive bit of machinery.
In terms of design, the Trailhawk looks a little different than its Compass sibling, for it has been tweaked to handle rough terrain a lot better. The front and rear bumpers have been revised to offer better approach and departure angles; the 26.5 degree approach, 31.6 degree departure and 21.2 degree breakover angle combined with the 30mm of additional ground clearance ensures you can take the Trailhawk just about anywhere. You get special 17 inch Trailhawk alloys, a panoramic sunroof and you also get a neat looking matte black patch on the bonnet which not only looks great but also serves the purpose of blocking any reflection while off-roading. The Trailhawk gets a rear towing hitch as well as part of the package and while it looks more purpose-built than the Compass, it looks surprisingly great on-road too!
Finished in soft-touch materials, the cabin of the Compass Trailhawk remains largely the same as the regular Compass. The only change being that the piano black and silver accents on the dash have been replaced by red accents and matte black finishes and you get stitched ‘Trailhawk’ seats. We do recommend you get those special all-rubber off-road floor mats as well, for this is a vehicle you should definitely use to venture off-road every once in a while.
As far as comfort and convenience is concerned, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes with a host of features to cater to your needs. To start with, the cabin is nice and spacious for four adults and you do get ample room in the trunk to stick a few large suitcases. For additional space, the rear seat offers a 60/40 split. The infotainment system works with both voice and touch integration which means that you can set cabin temperature, control airflow and operate key infotainment features with simple voice commands. The system also allows you to use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and you can pair up to 8 Bluetooth enabled phones. The steering wheel looks more complete now, for on the right side (which was empty earlier), you get cruise control settings, while the left remains the same to give you access to the driver information display and infotainment features.
The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is powered by a 2.0 litre Multijet diesel engine that conforms to BS VI norms and comes with a diesel particulate treatment unit that uses AdBlue. This turbocharged engine delivers 170 PS of peak power and 350 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 9 speed automatic transmission and the 4×4 Selec-Terrain is standard. You have a 20:1 low ratio 4×4, 4WD Lock and five driving modes that include Rock, Mud, Sand, Snow and Auto. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk can go through 840 mm of water as well and is an extremely capable off-roader. Having said that, it has been tuned to deliver excellent on road characteristics as well.
Get behind the wheel of the Trailhawk and one of the first things you will notice is that the 9 speed automatic transmission is a rather refined unit. You barely feel gear changes and you can power up at a rather brisk pace. Jeep has used dog clutches in the gearbox, however apart from that major change, it remains a torque converter which is as small as a six speed conventional automatic, but packs in 3 more gears. The Jeep Compass employs throttle-by-wire tech and the accelerator response has been tuned with the engine in order to use the torque more efficiently. This adjustment means that there is less need for kick-downs and that the Trailhawk stays in its peak powerband for a more efficient drive experience. What this has resulted in is the fact that the vehicle has a rather linear drive feel. Don’t expect it to take off when you slam the gas, rather you need to learn to be a little gentler with the throttle to get a better response! Having said that, the Compass Trailhawk’s on-road mannerisms are exceptional, especially when you consider the fact that this is a vehicle that has been designed to handle the dirt!
Speaking which, I did get to take the Trailhawk out on a nice off-road track that included numerous rocky patches, steep descents and inclines in covered in loose gravel and mud, a bit of water wading and lots of tricky twists and turns. The idea was to experience the Trailhawk in ‘Rock Mode’ and it does prove its mettle for it made every challenge seem so easy. After all, it does come equipped with ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, electronic rollover mitigation, hill start assist and hill descent control. In the event you do find yourself on terrain that could possibly touch the underbody of your vehicle, fret not, for the Compass Trailhawk comes with skid plates constructed from high grade heavy duty steel that have been fitted to protect the cooling module, engine and transmission oil pans, front suspension and fuel tanks. You also get 6 airbags as standard.
Overall, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk delivers the goods both on and off road and is quite a package for it is capable and convenient as well. This brings us to the big question on whether you should buy the Jeep Compass Trailhawk or not. If you happen to be amongst those who constantly asked for a Compass diesel automatic – here is what you ordered, go ahead and buy it. If you are in the market for a nice 5-seater SUV and can’t splurge on what the Germans have to offer – here is a great product to put your money down on. If you have the money to splurge on a German SUV but believe that you would rather live life finding new trails – then the Trailhawk is your best bet! It is a great all-rounder that looks good too and is extremely feature rich. The only thing that remains to be seen is how Jeep India prices it, but I think if it is priced between INR 24-26 lakh, Jeep will have a winner on their hands.