IT'S just a few years ago since iconic brand Jeep found itself caught up in a desperate 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 looked bleak for the world's oldest off-road vehicle makers.

But now safe in the hands of Italian giants Fiat, the future is bright for the marque, with a modern range of models already in dealer showrooms and the new fourth-generation Cherokee just weeks from release.

Chosen to kick-start the marque's resurgence on UK shores in 2011 was the Compass and with the compact SUV sector expanding big guns, Jeep set its sights on trippling their sales over a three-year period from 2011, targetting mid-size hatchback owners who wanted to trade up but not at any price. 

To help accomplish this, Jeep took the bold step of adding a soft-roading, two-wheel-drive version to the Compass as part of that plan.

Yet for those who still had a need for all-wheel-drive or who wanted to try out the full Jeep experience first hand, the fully-fledged 4x4 Compass was a great way to get into the market.

Totally restyled, Jeep dispensed with the more retro look and smoothed out the once trademark sharp edges for the Compass, but the vehicle still retained much of Jeep's DNA in its overall looks and styling, like its famous seven-slot grille, just to make sure it would never be confused with another brand.

On the inside, Jeep really went to town and upped the quality no end. A more premium feel with softer-touch plastics abounded and every model came 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.

A comprehensive array of safety features were also fitted. In all-wheel-drive models, electronic systems such as hill-descent control, electronic roll mitigation and electronic stability control helped keep the car stable and in check, while hill start assist on the manual models made 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 featured the 2.2-litre CRD turbo diesel engine which was developed in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz and came with the choice of either 134bhp or 161bhp.

The high output unit had 23bhp more than the two-litre diesel unit it replaced, while an increase in torque also helped take the strain out of town driving, aiding fuel economy into the bargain.

Two petrol engines of two-litres or 2.4-litres completed 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 at its launch.

Prices for the Compass hold up well, so you'll have to pay between £6,935 and £9,400 for  a 2011 60-plate 2.0 Sport two-wheel-drive and between £9,020 and £12,230 for a similar aged two-wheel-drive 2.2 CRD in Limited trim.

A four-wheel-drive version will add around £1,000 to the forecourt price tag.

Move on a year to a 61-plate 2012 model and prices jump to between £8,640 to £11,230 for a two-wheel-drive 2.0 Sport and £11,250 to £14,625 for a two-wheel-drive 2.2 CRD Limited.

Once again, a 2.2 CRD Limited with four-wheel drive will cost £1,000 more.