All posts by Macfivenews

Motoring and travel journalist, opinionated gob on a stick
Electric/hybrid, Jeep, SUV/4X4

Compass moves in right direction

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Jeep Compass

By Bill McCarthy

JEEP is a name synonymous with durability and rugged off-road capability, a wartime legend that has been around for 80 years.

I drove the first Jeep Compass at its launch a few years ago. It was a competent but bland vehicle which has evolved over the years, until it took a quantum leap forward with a completely new model in 2017.

Tweaked again recently, with the logic ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’,  the style may not suit those who like svelte profiles, but for those who like the rugged look, there is no mistaking it is a Jeep.

That’s not to say it doesn’t have style, it does, offering high-quality finish, typical off-road Jeep capability and a bit of a wow factor, featuring some show-stopping colours. 

It has also joined the race to electrification with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, driven here, offering a nominal economy of 147 mpg and capable of just over 30-miles on electric power with tailpipe emissions of zero.

This latest version features a new, but familliar seven-slot grille and revised bumper, slim headlight clusters with LEDs and daytime running lights and a redesigned foglamp housing.

 In addition there are striking looking 19-inch alloys and a powered boot lid which can also be operated via a ‘kick’ action.

The interior now has a more upmarket, executive feel, certainly with this model which featured leather seating with high-tech aluminium and carbon fibre-effect and gloss black finishes, and good quality soft-touch trim.

Major controls and switchgear are logically placed and feel robust, while the brains of the car is the central 10-inch touch screen.

This controls functions like navigation, Uconnect 5 connectivity and infotainment system and is complemented by a 10.25 digital instrument cluster which offers around two dozen configuration options in five customisable menus.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available as is wireless charging.

This range-topper is not cheap at £40k plus, but is packed with equipment like heated, powered front seats, 180 degree camera, powered door mirrors and a host of electric and electronic bells and whistles.

The updated 1.3-litre plug-in hybrid engine is now turbocharged to deliver a stonking 240hp and lower emissions and that excellent economy.

This version is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor located on the rear axle, powered by an 11.4kWh battery that can be recharged from a 7kW Wallbox or a commercial outlet.

It surprisingly quick off the mark, racing to 60mph in just over seven seconds while the CVT gearshift is much improved.

There are three different driving modes  hybrid, electric only, and  E-Save, which maintains the charge level of the battery by letting the engine charge it up. This is an option if you are unable to use a wall socket, for instance in flats or terraced houses.

Take it off road and Selec-Terrain® traction offers four driving modes, while the Trailhawk set-up on this model offers an extra low ratio option for the most difficult conditions.

With the ability to cruise for 30 miles on electric power, but get on the motorway and the petrol engine kicks in with a consequent effect on economy.

Handling manners are OK although it does lean a bit into corners and it can be unsettled by the worst roads, but generally it is a comfortable cruiser with occupants well insulated from road and wind noise.

It is practical with a much larger central storage compartment while the boot still offers 438 litres with the split/folding seats in place.

Safety kit is comprehensive with adaptive cruise control, full comment of airbags, autonomous braking featuring pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver drowsiness alerts, traffic-sign recognition and intelligent speed-limit assistance.

FACTFILE

Jeep Compass S 4xe

Price: £40,895

Mechanical: 240hp, 1,332hp petrol engine and  electric motor driving fall wheels via auto gearbox

Max speed: 124mph

0-60mph: 8.2 seconds

Combine mpg: 148  miles (WLTP)

Insurance group: 31

CO2 emissions: 44g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Motoring news

Stay calm when your vehicle is pranged

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There is nothing more infuriating than returning to your car to find it scratched, dented or damaged by another careless driver.

A study conducted in 2020 found that Britain’s drivers spent £1.5bn a year on damage caused in car parks alone. 

Sarah Tooze, Consumer Editor at CarSite has put together a step-by-step guide for dealing with damage to your vehicle when the other driver has driven off.

Sarah says: “Inconsiderate drivers are, unfortunately, a fact of life. Car owners may not be aware of their rights when their car has been damaged, but hopefully, this guide will help.”

Step 1: Stay Calm

If you return to your car and find it has been damaged, it’s important to remain calm. If your car was parked legally, the fault automatically falls upon the third party, and they are legally required to leave their details. Unfortunately, in some cases, they don’t. If this is the case, the third party may be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention by failing to stop and report.

Step 2: Assess the Damage

You need to assess the damage to your vehicle to understand the extent of the issue.

How to assess the damage to your car:

– Look for any visible damage such as scratches, dents or cracks in the paintwork.

– Check for any structural damage such as bent panels.

– If there is any glass damage, check to see if it’s just a crack or if the entire window will need to be replaced.

Step 3: Record All the Details

Make a note of the time, date and location of the incident. Take photos of the damage.

It’s important to take photographs of where the incident occurred, what damage there was and how your car was parked. This may help you in the future should you decide to put in a claim.

Sarah’s Pro-tip: Try and take the pictures from different angles to give you the best chance of success.

Step 4: Look for Witnesses

If you’re in a public place, it’s always worth checking to see if any witnesses may have seen the incident. This could be invaluable should you need to pursue the matter further. You can ask them to write down what they saw and give you their contact details.

Step 5: Contact your Insurance Company

If details have been left, contact the third party to exchange insurance details. Once you have these, you need to contact your insurance company, who can then advise you further. If you decide not to make an official claim and resolve the issue among yourselves, you should still inform your insurer of the damage as you may risk invalidating your policy by failing to do this.

If no details have been left, try to find witnesses of the incident who can help pinpoint the culprit. Many supermarkets have CCTV in their car parks, however, they can not grant you access to this footage due to GDPR rules, so you will have to contact the police.

It’s important to collect as much evidence as you can to help your claim.

Sarah’s Pro-tip: Keep a file on your phone or in your glove box with all of your car’s important information to make the claims process smoother, such as your insurance details.