Jeep Compass gets dissed by consumer panel
The Jeep Compass might be turning the heads of some consumers looking to the trail-rated brand for something new, but the ten members of the Detroit News Automotive Consumer Panel weren't impressed. While all ten said they would recommend the vehicle's sibling -- the Dodge Caliber -- to their friends, and six said they'd consider buying a Caliber themselves, just two of the ten would recommend the Compass to family or friends and none would consider buying one themselves. Calling the vehicle "ugly" and identifying it as something that is completely at odds with the Jeep brand, the panelists overwhelmingly gave the car two thumbs down after driving a few around town during the month of July.
Said one panelist, "Jeep, to me, no longer can justify having that 'rugged' reputation attached to its brand name. A Jeep is supposed to bellow 'run me into the ground.' Instead, this Jeep says, 'You guys want to go to the mall?'"
Let's hope, for Chrylser's sake, that the new Compass will overcome the opinions of these ten.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Peter 12:06PM (8/03/2006)
It is ugly. Maybe not quite Aztec ugly, but close. Since it is essentially a Caliber with an ugly skin, why would anyone get it?
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Bill 12:08PM (8/03/2006)
Let's hope, for Chrylser's sake, that they come to there senses and ditch this thing.
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jscro 12:10PM (8/03/2006)
I didn't know this was based off the Caliber, is it freaking front wheel drive? What a stupid move.
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Sean 12:11PM (8/03/2006)
Who would have predicted that the Compass would recieve this kind on initial reaction from the motoring public? Umm,,,, I think that everyone did. Someone at DCX must have it out to destroy the Jeep brand name, first the Liberty and then the Compass
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Geoff 12:12PM (8/03/2006)
I just find it amazing people would find the Jeep ugly and underpowered. Who saw that coming? *cough*
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Hank 12:26PM (8/03/2006)
I can understand Jeep going after the RAV4/CR-V crowd, but not with something so incredibly ugly and awkward looking.
Why didn't they tap the dna of the old Jeepster?
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John 12:27PM (8/03/2006)
#4. Uhhh yeah... look at that Liberty destroy Jeep... God I hate it when vehicles sell really well, they just end up destroying brands. The fact is, they all say this thing screams "Lets go to the mall"... well no shit, thats what its supposed to scream. This damn thing is flying off lots, and like the Liberty, was aimed at the female audience and lets face it... It will be a hit.
But yes, its hideous.
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CARGOOD 4:40PM (5/19/2008)
I THINK THAT EVEN WOMAN AS MYSELF DO NOT LIKE THIS CAR AND WOULD RATHER HAVE A WRANGLER ANY DAY
Giggles of Doom 12:29PM (8/03/2006)
jscro: They do have an AWD version, they aren't THAT insane.
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pedro 12:30PM (8/03/2006)
What is amazing is that Jeep has the gorgeous little Patriot sitting in the wings! WHY spend an amazing amount of time and money to come up with two cars in the same vehicle class, with one being as lackluster as the Compass?
The patriot is tidely everything that Jeep can be moved to a smaller more "roadable" package. This is Jeep's version of the Cimmarron, and I predict that the Compass will quickly die while the Patriot lives on.
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Kowell 12:32PM (8/03/2006)
I gotta admit I prefer the caliber but in canadian pricing.... a caliber rt/awd is 25000$ and a AWD Compass with the same 2.4L engine is 20000$ so.... it'S tempting
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skooby 12:32PM (8/03/2006)
Great just what America Doesn't need right now... Another Recycled SUV... DUH... Get with the program!
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Brian 12:32PM (8/03/2006)
Both this car-SUV-thing and Jeep's brand manager (if they have one) should be taken up into the mountains and left to die of exposure.
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Bob 12:45PM (8/03/2006)
I don't understand why Jeep would build this and the upcoming Patriot. Do we really need both? At least the Patriot looks like a proper Jeep (some say it looks like the old Cherokee reborn) and even though it's FWD, it can be outfiited with a "trail-rated" AWD off road package (unlike the Compass which is not "trail-rated" at all). The Compass looks like someome beat a Caliber with the ugly stick. I think Jeep should kill the Compass and just keep the Patriot. They should then redesign the Liberty to make it bit larger, since the Patriot is close in size to the current Liberty, but that's another story.
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Dinosaurus 12:46PM (8/03/2006)
Jeep puked and there was the Compass.
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Doogs 12:53PM (8/03/2006)
Too bad. This entire Compass fiasco has been a pain to watch.
I was never against the idea of a more "roadable" Jeep. In fact, I thought the idea of a Jeep rally car to be a pretty good one.
Then they went and designed the Compass. Another good idea ruined by terrible execution.
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Gunnar 12:54PM (8/03/2006)
The fact that there was nothing before the Aztec made the Pontiac more acceptable than this monstrosity. This a hideous (literally and figuartively) betrayal of the Jeep legacy.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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old man 12:58PM (8/03/2006)
I said the same thing about the jeepsters back in 1948, that a car/jeep would ruin the brands rep, well guess I was wrong there.
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Sid 12:58PM (8/03/2006)
I'm suprised this car ever went to production. Back at the NAIAS 2005, everyone said it was not in line with the Jeep brand. The Patriot should be a great car, though. A more macho version of the Liberty.
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Ryan 1:00PM (8/03/2006)
I just priced and built one of these, they are cheap as HELL!!!! So that's enough to ensure strong sales. A small suv that get 30mpg and it's CHEAP. AND you can say you drive a Jeep!!!! It's a hard call to make, but at this price, it's kind of a steal.
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