Rugged or soft, Jeep's Compass SUV has you covered

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- There's something about driving a Jeep product that works on your mind.

Like maybe I should have a three-day growth of beard ... or don a well-worn flannel shirt.  You know, something rugged and all that.

The folks at Jeep are not inclined to argue with me. After all, their Jeep Wrangler is one of the founding fathers of rugged transportation.  But Jeep also touts the urban virtues of its vehicles.

And Exhibit A is the recently tested 2023 Jeep Compass High Altitude 4X4 compact crossover sport-utility vehicle.  Does it cover all the bases? Yes, it does.  Ready for the rock-strewn road.  And just as ready for the freshly paved highway.

Here's the best thing: the addition of a 2-liter turbo-4 engine rated at 200 horsepower.  This positions the Compass much higher on the fun-to-drive scale than in previous years.  I found the power plant pleasantly responsive, and just noisy enough to bring a smile to my face.

On the outdoor side of things, it shaped up as an ideal camping trip vehicle -- not too big or intrusive, but capable of carrying what a family needs for an under-the-stars weekend.

The High Altitude Package on the tester included body-color fascias and wheel flares, 19-inch aluminum painted wheels, a full suite of exterior LED lighting, an easy-to-see touchscreen display and more.  Even more extras came with the "Elite Interior Group," including ventilated front seats and a power/foot-activated liftgate.

In essence, Jeep built a nearly ideal mix of indoor/outdoor perks into this model. And my ride came in at a reasonable $42,075, even after the generous list of extras.

Fuel mileage was pretty fair as well -- 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

So, how do you like it?  Rugged or city soft?  This Jeep has a wheel in both camps.