IT'S not that long ago since iconic brand Jeep was caught up in a fight for survival.

With most of the American car industry in meltdown and two of the big three manufacturers having to go cap in hand to the US government for financial help, things did indeed look more than just a little bleak for the world's oldest off-road vehicle maker.

But now safe in the hands of Italian auto maker Fiat, the future looks bright for the marque, with new models in the pipeline and dealer expansion in the UK already well under way.

First in line for the new treatment is the Compass which has been chosen as the forerunner to lead the marque's resurgence on these shores.

With the compact SUV sector still expanding, Jeep has sights set on trippling sales over the next three years or so and to this aim, is targetting mid-size hatchback owners who would like to trade up but not at any price. 

To accomplish this, Jeep has taken the bold step of adding a soft-roading, two-wheel-drive version of the Compass to its line up. It will be available from August.

However, for those who still have a need for all-wheel-drive or just want to try out the overall Jeep experience first hand, the fully-fledged 4x4 Compass is a great way to enter into this market.

Totally restyled, Jeep has dispensed with the more retro look and smoothed out the once trademark sharp edges for 2011.

However, the Compass still retains much of Jeep's well-established DNA in its overall looks and styling, such as its famous seven-slot grille, so it will never be confused with any other brand.

On the inside, Jeep really has gone to town and upped the quality no end. A more premium feel with softer-touch plastics abound and every model comes with a long specification list as standard.

Alloy wheels, air conditioning or climate control, CD sound system and cruise control can be found throughout the range, while full leather upholstery is fitted on Limited trim models.

As expected, a comprehensive array of safety features are also standard. In all-wheel-drive models, electronic systems such as hill-descent control, electronic roll mitigation and electronic stability control help keep the car stable and in check, while hill start assist on the manual models makes for pulling away on steep gradients on both off and on-road situations, a simple, safe procedure.

Around 65 per cent of all Compass sales will feature a new 2.2-litre CRD turbo diesel engine which was developed in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz and comes with the choice of either 134bhp or 161bhp.

The high output unit has 23bhp more than the two-litre diesel unit it replaces, while an increase in torque also helps take the strain out of town driving while adding to fuel economy figures.

Two petrol engines of two-litres or 2.4-litres complete the range, the former mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and the larger unit to a continuously variable transmission system, the only automatic option within the Compass range.

Jeep is celebrating its 70th birthday this year, and during all those years the marque has stayed at the forefront when it comes to producing vehicles which display the serious off-road capability and on-road flexibility that has seen many other brands fail in attempts to follow.

The new Compass points the brand in a new direction, and with higher levels of quality and craftsmanship than ever before, the addition of a new £16,995 front-wheel-drive only model and an expanding dealer network each of which are fully committed to the brand, the future looks good again. 

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CO2 emissions: 172g/km

: 20%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles