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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2007 Jeep Compass - 2007 Jeep Compass
By C. Foster - March 15 - 7:53 pmThe 2007 Jeep Compass is fabulous! In a world of monster trucks and SUVs, this is a perfect compromise for the consumer who wants the space and height of a smaller truck, but drives like a car. The fuel economy is amazing. I am averaging 25mpg (street and highway), which is great because I have been driving it a lot. Regardless of what some of the critics say about the interior being cheap, I disagree. The interior features are amazing, from the YES Essentials (non-stain) fabric, to the power windows and doors, Sirius radio, 6-in dash CD player, ample speakers, universal garage door remote control, cruise control, and Bluetooth handsfree phone feature. Very comfortable. Fun!
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Nice Ride - 2007 Jeep Compass
By Compass lovers - February 22 - 1:03 pmWe have had our Compass for 2 months now, and we love it. The ride, the look, the comfort are really unbeatable, especially for the price.
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good things come in little packages - 2009 Jeep Compass
By hawkeye - January 20 - 7:50 pmi have an 07 patriot ltd and i luv it, but this compass ltd is so much more fun to drive. i luv its looks, and the ltd package with silver bumper accents, silver body side moldings and chrome wheels turn other drivers and pedestrians heads. under load it seems a little sluggish, but the more i drive it the more accustomed to it i become. comfort is as good or better than the patriot. fuel economy is very good too. the interior is better than most same class competitors. all seams are tight and well-aligned, doors fit tight, etc.
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Awesome - 2016 Jeep Compass
By Robert Brown - January 11 - 2:17 pmDo not hesitate to buy one Ive owned the car for 5 months I had at 100 no problem handling going around a corner rated at 45mph I had this one hit at 60mph no problem and no problem passing the negativity is in called for
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Cherokee lite? - 2012 Jeep Compass
By jeepgeek - November 19 - 7:44 pmMuch better than old design, retuned cvt big upgrade quieter and much better ride!! Sold them for years so believe me if it sucked would have bought a liberty!!!
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Love It - 2007 Jeep Compass
By Jack - November 17 - 11:16 amOnly have 600 miles on the vehicle now. We have only made short trips around town so far we love it and its easy to navigate and park, and the ride is great.
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Life On A Dirt Road With A Compass - 2007 Jeep Compass
By hortag - October 6 - 5:10 pmI analyze every large purchase I make endlessly. To be honest, by the time I purchased this Jeep, I was tired of looking at it; I had reviewed and test driven it so often. But my first real glimpse of what it was capable of came to be during a recent Noreaster that struck my small New Hampshire town. Six inches of mud, 16 inches of water, deeply gouged trails, and the Compass exceeded my expectations! So far, this Jeep has proven to be versatile, well built, and capable of alot more then one might expect out of a 4x4 "Compact SUV" based on a "Car" chassis. All this, and a comfy leather interior, and outstanding sound system.
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Love this baby Jeep - 2008 Jeep Compass
By schneikm - September 4 - 9:31 pmI bought my Jeep Compass used 2 years ago at 22,000 miles and Im at about 50,000 now. They didnt give me the option to select the correct model I have, mine is the 2.0L 4-cyl autostick. All I have had to replace so far is brake pads, and I probably need new tires soon. I love this car because I am a tall person (510) and it is so spacious I dont feel like Im compacted into a car. The turn radius is great. The seats are comfortable, even on long 12 hour drives. Perfect for moving because there is so much space when you put the seats down. I dislike the 2.0L engine because the get-up is slow and my gas mileage is about 26mpg highway.
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Critics are too Critical - 2007 Jeep Compass
By Jim - August 24 - 11:03 pmAlthough the Compass is a Consumers Digest "Best Buy" and an Edmunds Lowest Cost to own vehicle, auto magazine critics and Jeep traditionalists have not had many nice things to say about the Compass, which almost swayed me from purchasing a new Compass. Fortunately I test drove one, and for the money, you can not beat the ride, features, safety and all around capability of this vehicle. Its fun, practical and confident inspiring. Many critics make the mistake faulting this model because it is not like the more rugged, trail rated Jeep line-up. I dont think that was ever Jeeps intent. Kudos to Jeep for thinking and building outside the box.
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The little Jeep that could - 2008 Jeep Compass
By Bill house - August 17 - 3:26 pmA great Jeep I love the looks. Way better than the Honda CR-V that my cousin just bought. A great snow vehicle. A Compass owner for life!
