Jeep Compass Trailhawk’s traction control tested: Boon or bane off the road? [Video]

Jeep India recently launched the most expensive version of the Jeep Compass in the Indian market. Named as the Jeep Compass Trailhawk, the vehicle boasts of some off-road specific changes and features that make it more capable than the regular Jeep Compass. However, is it as capable as the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner 4X4? Well, experienced off-road enthusiast, Anshuman Bishnoi has uploaded a video, which clearly shows the Jeep Compass Trailhawk’s off-roading capabilities.

In the video, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk can be seen trying to go up a trail. The vehicle can be seen steered by Anshuman Bishnoi who is also explaining the situation in the video. In the first attempt, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk gets stuck in a rut in the incline. Even after three attempts, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk could not come up the incline completely.

As per the video, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk’s engine traction control kicks in very strongly when it detects that the wheels are slipping. The engine traction control cannot be turned off in the Compass Trailhawk. Whereas in many other vehicles, the system can be shut down using a single button. With the engine traction control on, the power is not transferred to the wheels, no matter how much the accelerator is used. Anshuman Bishnoi also said that keeping the accelerator completely depressed also does not changes a thing.

Turning off the engine traction control keeps the brake-traction control system active. The vehicle’s brake-traction control works by using the individual brakes to stop the wheel spinning freely and transfer all the power to the other wheel on the axle. This is what makes SUVs more capable.

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is priced at Rs 26.8 lakh, which is much more expensive than the regular top-end Limited Plus Trim, which gets a price tag of Rs 23.11 lakhs. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine option that generates a maximum power of 170 Bhp and peak torque of 350 Nm. It is a BS6 compliant engine and gets a long list of features too.

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk offers different bumpers, which offer a higher approach and departure angle. The Trailhawk gets a ground clearance, which is 20mm higher than the regular version of the Compass. The vehicle also gets a black decal on the bonnet that ensures that no reflections from the bonnet fall in the driver’s eyes. The vehicle also gets a low-ratio transfer case, which increases the torque to 600 Nm. This is currently the only Jeep Compass diesel, which gets a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Jeep Compass is quite expensive and is definitely more capable than the regular Jeep Compass but as per the video, it is not as capable as the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.