The Golden Jeep Compass
There’s nothing worse than a half-baked idea. The thought of combining two favourable ingredients to result in one super, all powerful outcome has never worked. One such example are super-groups, rock bands that combine to be ‘better’ than their original form. Audioslave are one such example, combining Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and all but the rapping bloke from Rage Against the Machine. The format worked so well that RATM are back together and Chris is writing jingles for James Bond flicks.
Take Coca Cola and lime. On their own they make a fair fist of making small children go loopy and adults go all sour-faced. Stick them together and you have a sour tasting drink aimed at those with a sweet tooth. Remember XFL? Xtreme Football League I believe it was called and this heady formula added a pinch of wrestling to the already bubbling pot of American Football. One season that multi-million pound idea lasted for.
Just because you like two different things is never reason enough to combine them and assume the best. All of which leads me neatly into the muddy and treacherous world of the 4 x 4. Designed to eat mountains for breakfast, the original premise of a 4 x 4 was to be an off-roader and before you knew it manufacturers were sticking large wheels and huge ground clearance beneath their cars. Then one day a boffin decided it’d be a good idea to combine the everyday drivability of a car with the go anywhere, no nonsense versatility of a 4 x 4.
Unfortunately this meant that the market was flooded with vehicles that were sufficiently altered and were therefore useless off road as they weren’t high enough, and rubbish on the road as they weren’t low enough. Even more unfortunately unlike Audioslave, Coke lime and XFL, no-one seems to have noticed the bad idea and the roads crawl with haphazard handling brutes.
Thankfully then Jeep have decided to break from the mould and set up camp firmly on the car side of the field. Ladies and gentleman please welcome the Jeep Compass. It’s the first time the company have stepped away from their roots with a two door convertible that looks almost identical to a Ferrari. Ok, it’s not a two door Italian supercar look-alike and yes it does look like a large, almost 4 x 4 type vehicle but it’s technically a hatchback, I promise.
Jeep are putting their faith in the Compass attracting a new buyer demographic and a look at the rear three quarters screams Mercedes. The Compass does in fact boast some impressive styling with sharp European lines embraced with Jeep’s trademark seven-slot front grill and round headlights. It is without doubt the bravest styled vehicle Jeep have produced in recent years but it works. It also clearly make the statement that time and money have been spent breaking the mould and sending the company down a different road.
I’m not so shallow that good looks will distract me from seeing how it drives and to be honest I sensed the worst. I mean Jeep supplies the US Army with its vehicles where armour easily out-muscles refinement on the must-have list. Despite this lack of pedigree the Compass really is refined. As you’d expect from a 4 x 4 manufacturer, the interior is spacious, well laid out and easy to use. Leg room in the back is so large that kids may get lost and boot space puts its hatchback rivals to shame. The build quality is also an improvement on past Jeep models – usually a sure fire sign that you’ve bought cheap. Yet the Jeep belies this fact, even if it is all a bit grey.
The driveability doesn’t let the side down either, with a torque-y 2.0 litre diesel ably propelling the Compass around town or quietly down the motorway. The independent suspension steals the show however, giving the car (yes car!) a smooth, quiet and undeniably comfortable ride.
Pricing at an initial glace a tad high, with UK models starting at £18,990, however compare the American hatchback to its rivals in terms of how it drives, comfort, standard kit and exclusivity and it suddenly seems like a steal. It must be stressed that if you do buy the Jeep Compass and you tackle much more than a stone on the road you’ll look like a beached whale. Use the Compass as intended though and you’ll find a hatchback that is a serious contender to the likes of its similarly priced rivals.
On this form the US Army will go for the leather seats option on their next bulk purchase.
About the Author
Ieuan Know is an automotive journalist currently working to promote chrysler jeep.
Earth footwear Compass Leather Slip-Ons
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Vintage German rare Compass w original leather Stealth $28.27 |
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Hush Puppies Compass Velcro Strap Junior Boys Black School Shoes (size 29-33) $55.25 |
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Hush Puppies Compass Velcro Strap Junior Boys Black School Shoes (size 29-33) $55.25 |
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Coach Men’s Embossed Compass Leather Passport Case Cover Wallet Black Brown Blue $98.00 |
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Coach Men’s Embossed Compass Leather Passport Case Cover Wallet Black Brown Blue $98.00 |
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White Masonic Blue Lodge Apron for the Freemason Synthetic Leather apron 14 inch x 16 inch with white ribbon border with adjustable belt. Hand embroidered all seeing eye on flap and Master Mason square and compasses with white fringe on body. All edges expertly hemmed…. |
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OLFA 1057028 CMP-3 Rotary Circle Cutter $10.98 Olfa Circle Cutter-. OLFA-Circle Rotary Cutter. This 18mm Rotary Circle Cutter is designed for cutting circles on fabric; paper; vinyl; film; leather and more! Cuts circles from 1-7/8in to 8-1/2in. Easy to use and no stabilizer required! Cutter size is approximately 6×3-1/2in. Imported…. |
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Amazon Jungle Survival Knife with Sheath $12.99 Don’t brave the jungle without this knife! The Amazon Jungle Survival Knife is the ultimate in survival knives. It features a drilled guard for strapping and spear applications and heavy jagged sawback ridge design, completed with a corded handle for grip and twine that houses a mini survival kit. The survival kit includes matches, fishing line, a hook, needles and thread, a safety pin, and striki… |
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Marble Knives 221 Watchband Compass with Tan Leather Watch Band $9.76 Marbles Outdoors Knives – Watchband Compass with Tan Leather Watch Band. Model: MR221. Compass has brass casing and revolving black face. Reproduction of original Marbles compass…. |
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Spirit $11.15 Feel the musical Irish spirit with numbers such as Soldier Laddie, Boots of Spanish Leather, and various jigs and reels. 13 tracks…. |
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Sport Watch with Compass $26.40 Bring in a touch of nostalgia with our Sports Watch with Compass. Before there was GPS there was the good old-fashioned compass, and this little unit is just the type of gadget that guys would love to have around. This classic sport watch features a compass on a black leather base, a belt clip and key ring making this gift truly unique. Includes a free black leatherette protective case. Details: |
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CE Compass Leather Case Cover with 3-in-1 Built-in Stand for HP TouchPad Touchscreen Tablet (Black) $3.20 Protect your HP TouchPad with this HP Case, which doubles as a stand for your tablet. When you’re on the go, this lightweight case helps keep your tablet safe from dust and scratches. Watch videos and type easily by folding the case horizontally or vertically to hold your HP TouchPad at an angle. This HP case also has convenient holes that give you access to the headphone jack and on/off/volume bu… |
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CE Compass Acer Iconia Tab A500 Black Leather Case Cover With Stand $5.37 This stylish leather case is specially designed for your Acer A500 while you’re on-the-go. It can be used both as a protective travel case and viewing stand. It is made of high quality leatheroid material to prevent your Acer A500 from dust, scratches, etc. With magnetometric cover, you can use it to carry your Acer A500 as a file folder conveniently…. |
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CE Compass Black Folio PU Leather Cover Case Stand For Motorola Droid Xyboard 10.1 Tablet $8.84 This a must have for protecting your Tablet ,it also can protect your device from scratches and scuffs…. |
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Geox Men’s Compass S Fashion Sneaker $150.00 Like you, the Geox Mcompass14 fashion sneaker is handsome, sleek and relaxed. The leather upper is a play of complementary colors and textures that zip around and over your foot. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic rubber sole features tread and cushioning, making this a pleasure to wear from dawn to dusk. Pair with casual pants or jeans…. |
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Personalized Sport Watch with Compass $34.19 Bring in a touch of nostalgia with our Sports Compass Watch by Cathy’s Concepts. Before there was GPS, there was the good old-fashioned compass! This little watch is just the type of gadget that guys would love to have around. This classic sport watch features a working compass on a black leather base, a belt clip and key ring, making this gift truly unique. Includes a free black leatherette protective case to keep your brushed nickel watch safe for many years to come. The perfect gift for the man in your life, this compass watch is also a great way to say “Thank You” to the groomsmen that stood faithfully beside you on your big day.Personalization Options: The Sports Watch with Compass may be engraved with up to three block initials or a single letterman style initial at No Additional Cost. Please enter all information in the space provided above. Be sure to add all information exactly as you would like it to appear. Please allow up to 2-3 business days for personalized items to ship.Features: • Stunning brushed nickel watch • Actual working compass on black leather base • Includes a belt clip and key ring • Black leatherette protective case • Personalize with his initials engraved on outside casingSize: 5 1/4″tall x 3 7/8″diameter |
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Engraved Sports Watch with Compass $36 Are you a bit nostalgic? Before there was GPS there was the good old-fashioned compass and this little unit is just the type of gadget that guys like to have around. This classic sport watch features a compass on a black leather base including a belt clip and key ring making this gift truly unique. Includes a black leatherette protective case. As an added value may be personalized with a single initial at no additonal charge. |
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Classic Compass Address/Phone Tabs $9.95 Ideal for your purse or pocket, the new Compass Address/Phone Book provides the space you need to record contact information of friends, colleagues, and family. Coordinates with the Compass product line. Can be used with or without a leather cover (sold separately). Wire-bound; 112 pages, 24 A-Z tabs. |
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Precision Compass Cutter compass cutter $9.05 Great for scrapbooking, school projects, crafts and more Cutter can create circles from 10mm to 150mm. Ratchet knob locks size into place, stationary pivot needle ensures perfect circles. Cuts paper, cardstock, leather, cardboard, photos and more. Includes six spare blades and 2 pencil leads. Carded. |
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USB Flash Drive and Compass $31.4 Measuring 325" long this leather holder displays a small compass on the front A gold rivet allo this holder to swing open revealing a 1 GB flash drive A metal loop at the top allo for easy attachment to a keychain This item is packaged in a silver metal case 0875" x 35" x 4625" with a clear display window 2" x 2625" on the lid |
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Timex T42761 Mens Adventure Tech Digital Compass Leather Strap Watch $66.55 Stainless Steel Case Timex Adventure Tech Digital Compass Watch with Yellow Indiglo/ 3 Time Zones/ 100 Hour Chrono/ 99Lap Counter/ 24 Hour Countdown Timer/ 3 Alarms/ Day Month and Date Display/ Top Ring with Compass with Leveling Bubble/ Stainless Stee |
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Geox Men’s Compass ABX Oxford $131.54 Never lose your way in the Compass oxford from Geox. The classic leather upper has a casual look without losing any sense of refinement. An Amphibiox layer gives you waterproof protection throughout and the patented Respira technology adds a perforated footed and moisture barrier so your foot stays breathable and dry. |
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Skeleton Cool Design Leather Band Quartz Watch with Mini Compass(Black+White) $4.64 - Skeleton cool design- 4cm dia. watch dial with skeleton pattern- Mini compass near the watch dial- Leather watch band- Full length: 23cm |
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Compass,Masterbow $9.99 COMPASS,MASTERBOW |
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PIN COMPASS $1.99 PIN COMPASS |
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Timex T77862 Expedition Digital Compass Watch $68.39 Brand : Timex. Size : Mens. Movement : Quartz Movement. Crystal : Mineral Crystal. Rated : 100 Meters(330Feet). Attachment :Brown Leather Strap. Stainless Steel Case Mens Outdoor Expedition Digital Compass Highly accurate digital compass Bearings based on 16 cardinal points measured in deagrees Allows user to set declination angle based on geography 100hour chronograph Countdown timer Alarm All day Indiglo display NightMode feature Brown Leather Strap |
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The Compass $9.99 A enthralling novel about the journey of life. The Compass focuses on the individual journey, as seen through the lead character Jonathan’s eyes and walk in life. Jonathan’s family has been torn apart following a horrific car accident and he is numb to everything around him. Unable to continue life as normal, he sets of on a journey – a journey that places him alone in a desert, trekking through the wilderness. As Jonathan embarks on his journey, he meets many people; each person has a reason for being there. Each pivotal person represents a specific element of life: love, forgiveness, prophecy. This is the way that life is. Reading this book, the reader is taken on the same journey, and taught how to understand what is happening in life, as they are led towards an internal excavation of their soul. Illustrating key principles taught by leading life experts, The Compass will help to give people direction in their lives. |
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Timex IQ Temperature Compass Mens Watch T2N721 $122.4 Stainless steel case with a brown leather strap. Bi-directional rotating bezel with compass markings. Beige dial with luminous hands and index hour markers. Tide scale. Temperature scale. minute markers around the outer rim. Dial Type: Analog. Luminescent |
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Wenger Compass Tall Boot (Women’s) – Brown $148.95 The women’s Compass Tall Boot is shearling lined to provide authenticity while strolling through the streets of the princely county of Tyrol or just while dashing from car to shopping mall in a white out. Full grain leather upper, natural shearling lining and high traction outsole. |
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Wenger Women’s Compass Tall Boot Hiking Boot $74.5 Support your whole leg when your out and about in the Compass Tall Boot Hiking Boot from Wenger. The smooth leather upper zips securely up the side of the leg for an alternative closure to your usual hiking boot, The rubber sole caps the toe as well for added support and protection in all kinds of terrain. |