Let us face it: crossovers and sport utility vehicles have become animals of the urban forest rather than the real one. And that is a good thing. These vehicles obviously benefit from better cargo and passenger capacity than any sedan or hatchback can manage. But being spacious enough is one thing. Many cars are. Being well-equipped for the job at hand is another challenge altogether. And there is no crossover that is completely suited to roaming the concrete jungle than the Jeep Compass.

The design of the Compass is unmistakably Jeep. The eyes are drawn to the signature radiator grille with seven slots – reminiscent of the brand’s military roots. The headlamp and taillamp units have slim light guides for that modern look. All vehicles come with premium paint jobs, complemented by matte black accents on the bumpers and wheel arches that give it a rough-and-ready stance. In terms of design, this is one vehicle that can hold its own anywhere it goes.

The Compass benefits from the Jeep DNA of adaptability. But while its bigger brethren are more suited to the rough and tumble of rock crawling and water crossings, the Compass channels that heritage into something tailor-made for essential trips within the city. That starts with the turbocharged MultiAir four-cylinder mill which produces 162hp and 250Nm of torque. Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, this powertrain combo makes the Compass quick off the line even with light taps of the accelerator.

But straight-line performance is not normally a deal breaker. A city car must have the right stuff to negotiate pothole-ridden streets and tight parking spaces. This is where the Compass delivers with an interior that simply cocoons its passengers in comfort. The seats deserve special mention as the leather-fabric combination upholstery does not get too hot even after being left out under the sun. The seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system seamlessly links to smartphones with ease via Bluetooth, Uconnect 4, and Apple CarPlay.

Of course, comfort is nothing if no one can enjoy it. To that end, the Compass cabin is spacious enough for five. Isofix tethers are standard so even the little ones can come along for the ride. The tailgate opens wide toward a cavernous cargo area. Combined with the rear seats that can fold flat, the Compass can function as a compact cargo hauler. The cabin’s ambience is further enhanced with a panoramic sunroof for an even more airy feel especially at night when the sky is clear, and the stars are visible.

The Compass is not one to crumble when the weather turns nasty with its slew of onboard safety features. Aside from the usual antilock brakes and front airbags, its traction control system keeps handling predictable even in slippery road conditions. Helping with keeping the stylish body remain flawless are the rear parking sensors and camera which lets anyone squeeze into the narrowest of parking spaces with confidence. Even keeping tabs on your tires is easy thanks to the tire pressure monitor located on the instrument cluster.

The Compass, then, becomes a reliable partner for your active lifestyle. It is eager to please its owners as it moves with youthful gusto during every drive. The turbo power unit is lively like how an athlete should, but it is refined as well. This makes the Compass a sensible and practical companion. With enough room to accommodate anything from exercise equipment to a mountain bike, there is no better comrade for that long-awaited adventure of a lifetime.

The Jeep Compass follows the path forged by its larger Wrangler and Gladiator siblings in that it is a resilient creature that confidently roams its urban habitat. With an extensive list of features that make it the city dweller to get, the Compass’s discounted price of P1,690,000 make it hard to beat. As an added bonus, living the Jeep life is made easier with a low down payment of P99,000 for the Compass and P79,000 for the Renegade. For more details, visit your nearest Jeep dealership.

This branded article was produced in partnership with Auto Nation Group.