SOME car names are pretty naff – often an amalgam of words that sort-of mean something, but not quite. Or a mix of letters and numbers, imaginative enough to gladden the heart of any filing clerk.

And then there are those names that really fit the bill, which convey something about the car, its purpose and its heritage. The Jeep Compass, joining the booming compact SUV class, falls into this category.

After all ‘compass’ speaks of exploration, taming the wilds, heading into uncharted territory. And those images certainly complement the Jeep brand, a name that is universally known and acknowledged for its go-anywhere qualities.

The all-new Compass sports the Jeep styling cues of seven-slot front grille and trapezoidal wheel arches, and the four-wheel drive car is a winning blend of style, comfort and capability.

The model offers two petrol and three diesel engines for a total of six different power-train combinations and four different configurations: Sport, Longitude, Limited - the top-of-the-range trim in terms of refinement, standard technological contents and equipment.

Weekend Wheels was fortunate enough to sample a 2.0 MultiJet-2 4WD Auto Limited.

The dynamic exterior design is augmented by some great detailing: silver roof rails, chrome exhaust tip, chrome exterior trim, LED signature lighting, LED tail-lamps and front fog-lights.

The cabin is a welcoming place to be, with good quality leather trim for the eight-way powered and heated front seats, and heated multi-function steering wheel. Features also include ambient LED interior lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, connectivity suite and nine-speaker hi-fi, dusk and rain sensor for lights and windscreen wipers (plus wiper de-icer) and power-folding door mirrors with courtesy lamps. Options included a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seating and powered tailgate.

Practicality is enhanced by a storage compartment under the front passenger seat and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. Hi-tech safety features include collision warning-plus, lane-sense lane departure warning-plus and blind-spot monitoring. The driving experience is confidence-inspiring and enjoyable, with the 170bhp diesel engine, mated to a smooth nine-speed automatic gearbox, giving 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 122mph.

Price: £38,845 OTR (inc options)