The Volkswagen T-Roc has been launched with the Jeep Compass petrol automatic in its crosshairs – they both even have similar prices, with just a few thousand rupees difference. Here’s a look at how they fare against each other on paper.
The latest hot new SUV to have hit Indian soil has to be the new Volkswagen T-Roc, which has its target squarely set at another trending SUV in India, the Jeep Compass. It goes without saying that as a Volkswagen, the T-Roc will offer segment-leading quality levels and safety standards. We can say this for we saw the car at the 2020 Auto Expo in Greater Noida, and it did have typical class-leading VW build quality.
The T-Roc is built on VW’s MQB platform and has been launched as a CBU with a single variant in India. And since VW India has said that it will not have any diesel models on offer for now in India, the T-Roc we get here is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is mated to a 7-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox.
The Jeep Compass petrol is powered by a similar engine, a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is available with a choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox, making it a little more flexibility to attract more buyers.
So without further ado, here’s a look at how both cars compare against each other on paper.
| Volkswagen T-Roc | Jeep Compass | |
| Length | 4342mm | 4395mm |
| Width | 1819mm | 1818mm |
| Height | 1573mm | 1640mm |
| Wheelbase | 2590mm | 2636mm |
| Boot space | 445 litres | 438 litres |
The Compass is the bigger car and, therefore, has more of an SUV appeal with its taller height and longer wheelbase, which frees up more space for rear-seat occupants. The T-Roc, on the other hand, with its svelte lines and low slung nature is instantly evident as a crossover, something that is emphasised by its compact dimensions.
| Volkswagen T-Roc | Jeep Compass | |
| Engine | 1.5-litre Turbocharged | 1.4-litre Turbocharged |
| Power | 147bhp @ 5,000-6,000rpm | 160bhp @ 5,500rpm |
| Torque | 250Nm @ 1,500-3,500rpm | 250Nm @ 2,500-4,000rpm |
| Gearbox | 7-speed DSG | 6-speed MT/7-speed double-clutch |
The T-Roc may have a lesser powerful engine on paper, but given the powerful nature of TSI engines and the slick-shifting nature of VW’s DSG auto boxes, expect the T-Roc to be a quicker car than the Compass petrol automatic, which is known to have sluggish gear changes at times.
| Volkswagen T-Roc | Jeep Compass Limited Plus AT | |
| Sunroof | Single panel | Dual panel |
| Infotainment system | 8.0-inch | 8.4-inch |
| Automatic headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Electrically adjustable driver's seat | NA | Yes |
| Memory settings for driver's seat | NA | Yes |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Front and curtain airbags | Yes | Yes |
| Leather upholstery | Yes | Yes |
| Black roof | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-tone alloy wheels | 17-inch alloys | 18-inch alloys |
| Front & rear disc brakes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Zone Climate control | Yes | Yes |
| Heated front seats | Yes | NA |
| Keyless entry | Yes | NA |
| Keyless engine start | Yes | Yes |
| Rearview camera | Yes | Yes |
| Electric parking brake | Yes | Yes |
When it comes to features, both cars are fairly well equipped, with the T-Roc boasting a few extra features, such as a digital instrument cluster, keyless entry, and heated front seats. But the Compass makes up for what it misses out on with a few extra features unseen in the VW, such as electronically adjustable driver’s seat with memory and a large dual-panel panoramic sunroof.
In terms of price, the Jeep has an edge over the VW, as it is available in more variants and has the option of a manual gearbox, which gives it a considerably more affordable starting price than the T-Roc. The T-Roc with just a single variant on offer is priced at Rs 19.99 lakh, ex-showroom pan-India, while prices for the manual Compass petrol start at Rs 16.49 lakh and go up to Rs 19.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the top-end Longitude Plus petrol automatic variant.
Also read - Volkswagen T-Roc launched at Rs 19.99 lakh
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