Jeep Compass scores five stars in Euro NCAP

The Jeep Compass has witnessed an impressive response since its introduction in the country. The American carmaker’s baby SUV has been built in India and comes in an interesting price bracket. Additionally, the Compass has also scored five stars in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety tests.

The five-seater SUV bagged a score of 90 per cent in adult occupant safety and 83 per cent in child occupant safety. The Jeep’s test model was the Jeep Compass 4x4 Limited, 2.0-litre diesel trim, but it was a left-hand-drive model. However, these NCAP ratings also apply to all the RHD models of the Sport, Longitude, and Limited variants with 4x2 and 4x4 layout of both petrol and diesel engines. 

During the front collision testing, full-width rigid-barrier test, and side barrier test, the Jeep scored well in passenger protection. The whiplash protection for occupants was also rated good. In all these tests, protection of all critical body areas was good and full points were scored. The tested Compass had a standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system which also performed as expected, according to the reports.

The front passenger airbag can be disabled during the test. This was done to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded. 

Although it scored a modest 63 per cent in pedestrian safety, the bonnet provided adequate protection to the head of a struck pedestrian. The bumper provided good protection to the legs and the pelvis was well protected by the front-end of the car. On the other hand, the autonomous emergency braking system does not have pedestrian-detecting functionality.

The Jeep Compass is an important product for FCA in India. It is available in the country with a petrol and a diesel engine. The diesel variant gets a 2.0-litre MultiJet II engine that generates 170bhp of power and 350Nm of torque, while the petrol version is powered by a 1.4-litre MultiAir engine that generates 160bhp of power and 250Nm of torque. Transmission options are a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The 4x4 is available only with the Limited diesel variant. As for safety, the Jeep Compass gets dual-front airbags as standard along with ABS and EBD. The higher-spec trims might get more airbags and the automatic version gets ESP. Apart from the standard driving mode, the Compass has three other driving modes to tackle different terrains – mud, sand and snow.

The Compass appeals to a lot of people in the country with its road presence, strong diesel engine and great on-road as well as off-road manners. And now, it is assuredly safer as well.