2018 Jeep Compass Latitude 4X4

2018 Jeep Compass Latitude 4X4

An Automotive Love Affair
By Joe Mavilia

Overview:

This is the 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude 4X4. You can get into this Jeep for about $25,000 but if you want all the bells and whistles you may find yourself at $35,000. Either way it is a great, historic off-road capable SUV. This will appeal to the out of doors active folks from 20 to 102. Much older than that you’d need oxygen and a walker. I’m a ways from the top end but that is my planned next vehicle. The Wrangler is my choice to tow behind the motorhome to see, not only the highways and byways of much of the country, but take in the adventures of getting off the beaten paths.

General Information:

It is assembled in- Toluca, Mexico; Classification is- Small SUV; Cars from Jeep- Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Renegade, Wrangler, Wrangler JK, Wrangler JK Unlimited and Wrangler Unlimited.

Handling & Performance:

Multi-air is relatively new technology to hydraulically actuate the variable valve timing (VVT). That technology was first available from the Japanese and now is becoming more common. The US companies dragged their feet much longer.

Selec-Terrain is one of Jeep’s solutions for increasing the off-road abilities. It allows the driver or the vehicle to choose a suitable setting to travel on various on and off-road terrains. There are five settings: Auto, Snow, Rock, Sand/Mud and Sport.

Styling:

Thankfully the styling has been true to the look and feel begun in the early 1940s, and it continues to ID the vehicle more than 75 years later.

Fit and Finish:

Before Jeep found new homes of ownership over the past few decades the quality was not as good. Today it is Very Good but it retains that rough and ready, tough and tumble image as well as it does in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5AWZvB1FuU

Cost:

It is very competitively priced for the basics but you can spend another ten grand if you want the available options.

Conveniences and comfort:

I found the new adaptation of the electric park brake an annoyance initially, but I eventually got used to it and appreciated the addition of safety. When you put the car in park the parking brake automatically sets. It is a great convenience that I think will be seen on more cars over time.

Every once in a while, the test car I get is equipped with the cap-less fuel filler. This simple addition is bound to catch on more in the future on more cars.

Consumer Recommendations:

You gotta love off-road excellence. Look at this YouTube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5AWZvB1FuU

There is a large field to choose from so the consumer wins when you take the time to find what tickles your fancy. For an off-road option Jeep is my choice because I have engaged Jeep up close and personal on Jeep Jamboree’s and was blown away at how agile Jeep is off road. Most people don’t go off road so the other contenders listed would do just fine for those who only need to negotiate the speed bumps around town.

Again, as I remind my readers, it is important to identify what you will use a vehicle for and find which one fills that need the best. Subaru is my second choice because it is the recognized specialist when it comes to AWD that is standard on all their models. I think they do it best.

Recognised Competition:

Good News:

Great off-road champ, comfortable on the highway.

Bad News:

Fuel economy is not the best attribute of Jeep and never has been. That thought reminds me of the Will Rogers quote: “Things ain’t what they used to be and never were”.

Standard Equipment:

2.4 Liter Inline Multi-Air Engine, 9-speed automatic transmission, remote Keyless entry with proximity entry, Push-Button start/stop, cruise control, speed sensitive power door locks, rear back up camera, rear window defroster, front, side curtain front and rear airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, deep tint sunscreen glass, selec–terrain system, stability control, electric park brake, Roll mitigation, capless fuel filler, air conditioning, Uconnect with 5” display, Bluetooth streaming audio, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.

Options are available for some of the hot features you will want to add: Cold Weather and Navigation Groups, including Power heated front seats, Nav and Car Play, climate control and other upgrades ($1,700), Advanced safety features like Lane sense / Lane departure warning and forward collision warning ($895), Safety group – blind spot and cross traffic detection ($795).

Gas Stats:

$3.89/ Gal avg. May 24, 2018

www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.

Pricing:

MSRP $24,295.