Jeep Compass - a crossover

The 2007 Jeep Compass is referred to as a crossover. In Automotive Blogs, it is described as "street-bred, with a hint of ruggedness." I like the looks of the one pictured here from Automotive Blogs. I think I could drive one if I had to. It comes with a 2.4 liter inline 4-cylinder engine and either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT2).

I've never driven a continuously variable transmission. It might take a little getting used to. The reviewers said the CVT "felt somewhat odd, because it would rev up nearly to the redline and just stay there for a while if you stomped on the accelerator from a standing stop, easing away from the high RPMs only when you eased off of the accelerator. This may be quite normal coming from a CVT transmission, but it's fairly odd if you're used to an automatic. With more and more cars sporting CVTs these days, we may have to get used to this behavior."

I suppose staying reved up like that will give it more pick-up. With the 2.4 liter engine, that may be necessary. I'm used to the 4.0 litre engine of my Grand Cherokee, which has plenty of get-up-and-go. A 2.4 sounds a little small. However, the CVT may make up for that.

If you've driven a CVT in any vehicle, I would be interested in hearing about your experience.