The green brigade still harangue those of us who dare own a 4x4 vehicle on the erroneous grounds that they are all mega gas-guzzling, motorised devils incarnate and single-handedly responsible for global warming, another flawed theory when all the cars in the world produce only a fragment of greenhouse gases and they ignore the fact that the earth has gone though climate changes for millennia.

So I can imagine fulminating green readers sticking pins in my effigy when they not only read that bit of contentious comment but I have the because I have the bare-faced effrontery to road test not only a 4x4 but a American one at that.

I care not because the reality is that the vast majority of owners of such four-wheel drive vehicles do so not for their ability to scale the heights of Helvellyn, or get up the nose of ramblers by using so-called green lanes, but because they know are inherently safer in adverse conditions and usually have more room inside for a growing family or transporting kids to matches.

One such vehicle is the Jeep Compass on test of from Border Cars of Kingstown, Carlisle, which falls between two stools in that it is not a true, in-your-face off-roading SUV but more what the industry now calls a cross over. That is, more of a beefed up and jacked up saloon with four wheel drive and butch looks.

The Jeep marque has a long and distinguished heritage in the 4x4 market ever since the famous World War Two classic Jeep which was a government tender competed for by Ford and Willys, the latter winning the contract; it also has been a by-word for ruggedness.
Incidentally the name is thought to come from the slurring of the letters GP which some think means General Purpose but is in fact G for government and the P is a factory designation for its length of 80 inches, though the Army never called them Jeeps but rather quarter ton trucks.
That 1941 square-faced vehicle started a family design signature which has been followed through to this day, though Jeeps are now part of the Chrysler Empire.

The Compass still bears the family toothy grill and boxy shape but has a few more curves that other Jeep models, particularly in the side window profile, yet still gives a chunky, purposely and rugged look which hints at its 4x4 prowess.

The wide-opening doors give easy access to the interior and the rear fifth door opens on a reasonable boot which though not as capacious as many of its rivals at 436 litres my Trail Hound, Meg, was perfectly happy and comfortable in it, and all in all I found the Compass to be a very attractive vehicle I would be pleased to have in my stable.

The interior carries through the square design which makes the dash a bit like a curve-less Tonka Toy but not unattractive, helped by faux aluminium on the centre console and a chrome gearstick top.

There is leather seating all round with plenty of front driver and passenger adjustment, plus good legroom for three in the back thanks to deep footwells, making the Jeep feel comfy without being luxurious; practical without being over masculine; solid without any austerity.

There is a decent entertainment/MPS system, air con, cruise control, a veritable excess of air bags, and a simple purity of design throughout the cabin.

My test car was the Limited edition which had some added features such as tinted glass, extra body side mouldings and 18-inch alloys, plus that faux aluminium and extra lamps which is a mere £400 odd more and well worth it in my book.

Power comes from a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with a somewhat modest 168bhp and 162 lb ft of torque driving through a 5-speed gearbox and a permanent four-wheel system which means the performance is adequate without being scintillating.

The book says it will hit 62mph from rest in 10.7 seconds and find its way to 112mph which indicates the Compass is aimed at safe motoring rather than tackling Snowdon or towing two Shire horses because the braked towing limit is 1360kg, but unbraked it is only 450kg.

However, the ground clearance is good, as are the approach and departure angles, so those who want to do some mild off-roading will find the Compass well able to cope, while cross country trips over the fields to watch the Point-to-Point will be a doddle.

On the road, the Jeep Compass is very civilised and quiet, and I was particularly pleased that the sea of dash plastic did not suffer from squeaks which some early Jeeps did.

With cruise control switched on it gobbled up long motorway journeys with ease, and a thrash down A and B roads proved it was extremely stable in corners and on roundabouts without any of that sickening lurching, roll and jawing so often found in 4x4s.

Earth huggers will be pleased that the Compass, despite its permanent wheel-drive as it returns, nearly 33mpg which is I admit is modest and its emissions are a tad high at 200g/km, but as a total package of size, comfort and ability I found the Jeep Compass was good.

However, what is most impressive of all was the price of a new one from Border Cars which is only £13,995 or £14,395 for Limited edition I tested which I think is amazing – it’s one heck of a lot of solid car for the same price as a small saloon.