Finally, the Jeep Compass is ready to roll on the Indian Roads. After the months of anticipation, the all new India made Jeep Compass went on sale from July 31. It was completely built in the Fiat Chrysler facility near Pune. So far, Compass is the most affordable offering from the American brand with an attractive price ranging from Rs 14.95 lakhs to Rs 20.65 lakhs ex-showroom New Delhi. However, with the launch of Compass in India, the Jeep has entered the well-established SUV market with some popular names like Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV5OO, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Nissan Terrano. Among which, Creta and XUV5OO will be the direct rivals to taste the sore of this new launch.
Hyundai Creta
Launched in 2014, Creta became one of the popular SUVs in India within a short span of time. It is based on the same platform of Verna, featuring the trademark Fluidic designs of the Hyundai. The engine found in the Creta is borrowed from the Verna with some minor upgrades to deliver a maximum power of 126 bhp and peak torque of 260 Nm. It comes with an optional manual and automatic 6-speed gearbox in both petrol and diesel variants. The Hyundai Creta is base priced at Rs 8.92 lakhs for the 1.6L Petrol engine and it goes all the way to Rs 14 lakhs for the 1.6L CRDi Diesel engine variant.
Mahindra XUV5OO
It is the first mid-sized SUV of Mahindra, which was completely designed and built in the Mahindra's design center. Launched in 2011, it is the first monocoque chassis based model from the brand featuring 2.2L and 1.99L Turbocharged Diesel engines. The vehicle comes in optional 6-speed manual and automatic transmission to deliver a maximum power of 140 bhp and peak torque of 330 Nm. The base model XUV5OO W4 is available at a pricing of Rs 12.10 lakhs and the high-end model W10 Automatic is available at Rs 17.07 lakhs. Mahindra XUV is available only in the Diesel engine option.
Is The Newly Launched Jeep Compass a Better SUV?
The Hyundai Creta is considered as one of the most successful compact SUVs on sale in India. However, there are some elements which make the Creta an over rated product. By considering the features and performance figures that Creta offers, it is bit overpriced. The Mahindra XUV5OO is a good alternative for Creta as one could opt the 2.2L, mHawk W6 AT for a well-placed 14.3 lakhs ex-showroom. Moreover, it is 7-seater SUV with serious off-roading characters delivering more power and torque than the popular Creta.
Interestingly, the launch of Jeep Compass had overshadowed all other fellow mid SUVs of the country. The lucrative pricing of Jeep will make the potential Creta or XUV customers or even the higher priced VW Tiguan customers to think twice before making a final move. Whom gonna choose 1.6L CRDi Creta over the richly crafted 2.0L Multijet Compass, which may costs you only an extra 1.5 lakhs? The Jeep badging itself is a luxurious and prestigious piece to own and we are not nuts to go after the Korean over rated fancy toy. Moreover, the Jeep Compass is an answer for all the domestic and international brands that have been ruling in the country by looting the customers. Compass is the direct alternative for Creta and XUV500, but it may affect the business of Volkswagen Tiguan as well. The Volkswagen India had recently launched their cheapest SUV which delivers the same power and performance figures of Compass with an extra 6.5 lakhs.
In India, most of the people are unfamiliar towards the brand value that Jeep offers globally. Moreover, Compass comes from the same makers that produce the 1.20 Cr worth Grand Cherokee SRT that competes with the likes of Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport HSE and Toyota Land Cruiser in the international market. The Jeep Compass has retained their FCA family DNA by featuring 50 plus safety and security features. It features advanced ESC, ABS, EBD, Electronic Parking Brake, all weather tyres, cornering fog lamp, reverse parking camera, keyless entry, all speed TCS, Panic Brake Assist, Hill Climb Control, 6-air bags, Infotainment screen and many more utility options. The high-end Compass Limited accommodates Jeep Active Drive, Select Terrain, 7-inch infotainment screen, in-built compass, Dynamic Steering Torque, Roof rails and R17-inch alloy wheels. All these mentioned features make the Compass a unique mid-sized SUV with unparallel quality and economic value to the customers.
Comparison of Jeep Compass with Hyundai Creta and Mahindra XUV5OO
| Jeep Compass | Hyundai Creta | Mahindra XUV500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine (Diesel) | 1956cc, 2.0L Multijet Sport | 1582cc, 1.6L CRDi VGT 6-Speed Manual SX(O) | 2179cc, W8, mHawk CRDe |
| Maximum Power | 173 bhp @ 3750 rpm | 128 bhp @ 4000 rpm | 140 bhp @ 3750 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 350 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm | 260 bhp @ 1900 - 2750 rpm | 330 Nm @1600-2800 rpm |
| Advanced Features | -5.0 Touchscreen Display-Integrated Voice Command-Dynamic Steering Torque-All Season Tyres-Remote Keyless Entry-All Speed Traction Control-Electronic Stability Control-ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)-Hill Start Assist-Electronic Roll Mitigation-Double Crank Prevention System | -ABS with EBD-Electronic Stability Control-Vehicle Stability Management control-Hill Start Assist Control-Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock-Rear Defogger with Timer-LED Positioning Lamps-7.0 Smart Audio and Video Navigation System | -Maximum Seating Capacity of Seven-Electric Sunroof with anti patching -6-way power adjustable driver seat-Push Button Start/Stop-7.0 inch touchscreen infotainment system with GPS-Reverse Parking Camera with Dynamic Assist-Brake Energy Regeneration System-6 Air bags-ESP 9 with Rollover Mitigation-Hill Descent and Hill Hold Control-ABS with EBD-Cruise Control |
| Price (Ex-showroom New Delhi) | 15,45,000 | 13,93,580 | 15,17,590 |
(The above comparison is based on the perspective of a potential buyer who willing to spend 14 to 16 lakh on a mid-sized SUV available in India. Here the base Diesel variant of Compass is compared with mid-range XUV5OO and high-end Creta Manual)
With the launch of Compass, Jeep has overruled the markets of Tiguan, XUV5OO, Hyundai Tucson and Creta by a big margin. Moreover, Jeep is to invade the compact SUV market of India with the upcoming Jeep Renegade, which might give a clean swipe on the territories of Maruti Brezza, Ford Ecoport and Renault Duster.
Upcoming Jeep Renegade
Best Diesel Cars Under 20 Lakh in India