Overview & Reviews

Most people think of Jeeps as tough off-road vehicles that love to get muddy, but when the Jeep Compass debuted for 2007, it wasn't like other Jeeps. It didn't look rugged, it wasn't trail-rated, and as far as we could tell, it didn't even like dirt. Instead, it was a car-based design built for the majority of small-SUV buyers who wanted a fuel-efficient runabout that was easy to drive around suburbia. Four-wheel drive was available, of course, but it was a single-speed system -- enough to get you through a snowstorm and that's about it.

As you can imagine, Jeep purists didn't much care for the Compass, which they regarded as the antithesis of all things Jeep. The company evidently took this early criticism to heart, because the latest iteration has revised styling and newfound capabilities that edge the Compass closer to "real Jeep" status. Even so, the Jeep Compass faces stiff competition among today's compact, car-based SUVs. Its low base price and interesting features may be compelling at a glance, but for those who dig deeper, its subpar engines, modest cargo capacity and relatively crude driving dynamics will likely prove significant liabilities.

Current Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass is a compact SUV offered in Sport, Latitude and Limited trim levels. Standard equipment on the base Sport includes alloy wheels, full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning and an auxiliary audio jack. Stepping up to the Latitude gets you heated front seats, a height-adjustable driver seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, while the Limited gets items like leather upholstery, a power driver seat, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera and automatic climate control. Notable options include a navigation system, Bluetooth and a USB port.

Every front-wheel-drive Jeep Compass Sport or Latitude model comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 158 horsepower. A 2.4-liter 172-hp four-cylinder engine is standard on the Limited and all four-wheel-drive Compasses. It is optional on the others. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Sport, but a six-speed automatic transmission can be specified instead. The Latitude and Limited come standard with the six-speed automatic.

Of the two available four-wheel-drive options, the light-duty "Freedom Drive I" system operates in front-wheel-drive mode under normal conditions and automatically sends power to the rear wheels only when needed. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road package (available on 4WD versions) includes hill ascent/descent assist and a host of other all-terrain equipment, but unfortunately it requires the undesirable continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) -- which also comes standard with the optional Altitude and High Altitude packages.

In reviews, we've found the Jeep Compass to be one of the least appealing compact SUVs. At its core, the Compass still shares its underpinnings with the thankfully departed Dodge Caliber hatchback, and suffers from the same weak and noisy engines. Acceleration is slow regardless of which engine you opt for, though the six-speed automatic does improve on the CVT's whiny, sluggish operation. In terms of refinement (or lack thereof), the 2.4-liter is almost as rough and loud as the 2.0, and neither achieves impressive fuel economy.

To be fair, the Freedom Drive II package makes the Compass an unusually capable crossover in the dirt, but if that's what you're after, there are superior alternatives, including Jeep's own Cherokee. And aside from Freedom Drive II, there's little else to recommend the Compass over its peers. Rear passenger space is adequate overall, but legroom is tight back there relative to the norm, and the harsh, bouncy ride haunts both seating rows. Maximum cargo space behind the front seats also trails the pack.

Used Jeep Compass Models
Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Jeep Compass is in its first generation, but there have been significant changes made. From 2007-'10, the Compass featured different exterior styling that was less indicative of other Jeep models. It was rounder, a little more avant garde, and if we're honest, not very attractive. Prior to an interior overhaul for 2009 that addressed both design and materials quality, the cabin was one of the worst on the market. It was upgraded yet again for 2011, which was also the first year for the current car's more capable Freedom Drive II equipment and "baby Grand Cherokee" styling. The six-speed automatic debuted for 2014 as a considerably more civilized alternative to the CVT, though the underlying shortcomings of the engines were not addressed.

User Reviews:

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  HOT LOOKING, BUT SMALL - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By outwardlycheap - December 1 - 1:35 am

  This car is one of the best looking on the road, but the drivers area is severely cramped, no room for the right knee, cannot steer with right hand because armrest is too far away, and no matter what anybody says, the engine IS noisy! I gave it to my wife.

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  Where is the mileage? - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Betty - October 18 - 5:40 pm

  My Compass, at its best, gets 23 mpg, routinely 19-20. Dealer says I need 10,000 miles before it is broken in. Now has 4,500 miles. Frustrated, it does not perform as advertised.

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  compass - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By Amy - October 14 - 12:40 am

  This is a good SUV. The only real problems I have encountered are the huge blind spots on the sides between side windows and windshield. Also, whenever I open the doors after it has snowed, all of the snow plops into the front seats. Also, the automatic locks drive me crazy.

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  Massive Oil Leak on 2011 Jeep Compass - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By ismyjeepok - July 19 - 9:01 pm

  Attention 2011 Jeep Compass owners - Today I had a massive oil leak in my 2011 Jeep Compass, only had 4900 miles. Started my daily commute, which was interupted by a the oil light coming on. White smoke (oil smoke) was coming from the under side of the vehicle. Had it towed to the dealership and they found that the oil filter housing cracked, draining the engine of all but about 2 qtrs of oil. Dealership claimed the factory must have overtightened the oil filter, causing it to crack. I am now wondering how much life I just took off of my engine with low oil. Dealership simply did an oil change to resolve this issue. New Jeep owners beware, take no crap from the dealership...its documentated.

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  Question - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By Barb Plante - April 19 - 6:49 am

  My Husband is having trouble seeing out of the windows because of the wide panels from front windshield to window. Is anyone else having this problem? Thanks Barb

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  Mine is sluggish - 2012 Jeep Compass
  By artyitalian - April 18 - 7:11 pm

  After driving 30 or so miles continuously, the jeep will not accelerate properly. It "bucks" and skips after coming to a complete stop, then pressing on the gas ped. It does this for about 300 feet, then something catches and it starts driving ok again. I brought the to the Jeep dealership in Brandon Florida, and they say that unless they can re-create the event, theres nothing they can do. The car is narrow, not roomy or comfortable. There are a few unsafe blind spots from the drivers view. Specifically front left. Be careful driving through a crowded parking lot, as this blind spot can block out a complete person. The exterior design is cute. The mpg is more like 19 city and 22 hwy.

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  Glad to get rid of it! - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By sdont - November 17 - 11:57 pm

  I traded in my honda civic for a new jeep limited in 2007. I never had so many issues with my car in 12 yrs than I did in owning the jeep for 4 yrs. It was always something. Just had to replace the outer tie rods and replace 2 low profile tires the other day BILL=$500+ (I dont know why they put those tires on SUVs, tho its the popular thing to do these days). I just traded it in for a Kia Sportage...Love it so far, just hope I never run into the issues I had with the compass!

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  Terrible car experience - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By andera11 - October 22 - 6:08 pm

  This 2007 Jeep Compass is the worst vehicle to drive. It is not reliable; there is always something wrong with it. I had my Transmission Oil Temp light come on within a week of purchasing the vehicle. Roughly 2 weeks later, it came on again and now 8 months later it has come on yet again. The RPMs go up and the speed goes down within 1-3 minutes after the light comes on; makes you pull over on the road side for the vehicle to cool down. Definitely not worth anyones time. Not happy at all. On top of it, they say it is something different every time I take it in to get fixed.I have also had the control arm and sway bar and bushings replaced in the front at 66552 miles.

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  Almost 2 Months Experience - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By cmthov - September 9 - 11:56 am

  Approaching 2 months and 2000 miles of commuting in Washington, DC -- avg 23.5 MPG (not bad for second worst traffic in the nation). CVT should be traded for Avengers 4 spd auto even at expense of mileage. Love the overall driving position and utility. Wish there was less flash/rough edges where hands spend most time -- steering wheel and gear shift handle. Wide a-pillar width is distracting when rounding curves. Adequate rear seat leg room, but wouldnt want to sit on those seats for any length of time. Overall a competent beater, but its quirks probably give it the lifespan, and legacy, of an AMC Pacer.

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  rented one to see if i wanted to buy one - 2018 Jeep Compass
  By nyjt - September 3 - 7:52 am

  ok the biggest problem the 9 speed transmission, wow what a disappointment on otherwise a great car. Its a perfect size for me. acceleration is great if you put it in manual mode. the a/c worked well the infortainment system was nice but had a lag in it. the seating was roomy for the size. the exterior is very nice looking. I really liked everything about the car except. the start stop technology was the worsttttttttttttttt when at a stop light engine turns off a/c goes lower and radio stayed on but got a fraction of a second turn off. very annoying like you know something that would have been a test and not perfected and not put in the car but they did anyway! When taking foot off break you feel the car restart and same thing. If I was in stop go traffic I would be miserable and embarrassed if anyone was in car with me. Thirdly how would this be in a year or 5 years down the road this car only had 900 miles on it. The shifting is subpar also and on highway I read other reviews where people say it can be dangerous trying to accelerate (I thought they were being dramatic) they were not. I know in order to pass of step on it it just well didnt . Putting it in manual mode it changed the entire thing to a very very peppy and strong feeling engine that accelerated perfectly. SO its the 9 speed transmission not the engine. I found the engine to be very peppy. So bottom line ON most thruway drive 200 miles each way through virginia I averaged 30 mpg with a/c blasting and 100 degree temps. I did not beat it just drove normal so I thought that was decent. I am not going to buy it, I had my heart set on it but with Jeep reliability ratings and this 9 speed those really cut into the rating of this car. Too bad jeep you always have soem great designs etc but?????