Chrysler Previews 2011 Jeep Patriot--But What About Compass?

By Marty Padgett

Marty Padgett

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2010 Jeep Compass

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This morning, Chrysler let loose on a new-product assault via Twitter and Facebook. And while it wasn't the long, drawn-out tease that the 2011 Ford Explorer became on Facebook, it lit up the social-media hotline with breaking news on the 2011 Fiat 500, 2011 Jeep Patriot, 2011 Chrysler Town & Country and the newly renamed 2011 Chrysler 200.

What was missing? We're sure the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan will be reporting for duty soon enough, with a new interior along the lines of the Chrysler minivan.

But what about the Jeep Compass?

The Compass is the mechanical twin of the Dodge Caliber and the Jeep Patriot--and it has been noticeably absent from some of the social-media lovefest as of late. Of the three vehicles, it's been our least favorite, too. The rally-inspired shape is too jagged for most tastes, and performance doesn't match the mission: to grab some of the allure of the Subaru WRX and the like.

Our overall rating shows the difficulty in splitting hairs in the Jeep lineup. The 2010 Compass earns a 6.6 out of 10 on our ratings scale, with kudos for interior space and fuel economy, but take-backs in the form of its inexpensive interior and off-key looks.

The 2010 Patriot gets much better scores, at 7.4 out of 10, thanks mostly to angular styling that fits perfectly in the Jeep idiom--like a reborn Cherokee, in our eyes.

What could have been as savvy as a WRX, or at least as stylish as a Kia Sportage, has been mostly a wash. And for reasons we're not exactly sure of, the Compass has been absent entirely from the Chrysler chatter on the social-media airwaves as of late. We've asked Chrysler for an update; with their national dealer meeting taking place today in Florida, we haven't heard back, for good reason.

Meanwhile, Chrysler's media Web site says information on the 2011 Jeep Compass is yet to come. Whether that means an interior update like the Patriot--or an early death sentence--remains to be seen.

Stay with us as Chrysler news rolls out. Your best bet? Via Twitter @highgearmedia. And in the meantime, tell us whether you think the Compass should carry on in the Jeep lineup in the comments below.