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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  Jeep Compass Latitude is da bomb! - 2012 Jeep Compass
  By Kimimila - June 22 - 9:06 pm

  I purchased this vehicle 2 years old. Ive had it 1 year now. I absolutely love it. The trail rating is especially great because I drive in the mountains a lot and dont like bottoming out. And, the MPG is about the same as my Chrysler Sebring. The only thing I dont like about it is that its a little sluggish upon acceleration. The only problem Ive had was a couple of times, it didnt want to start right away. Both times, it was very cold out.

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  Just Fun to Drive! - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By rivera7205 - June 16 - 10:03 am

  I fell in love with the Compass within the first 5 minutes of the test drive. Its so much fun and easy to handle. I traded in an Oldsmobile Bravada for this smaller, more fuel efficient crossover and have not been disappointed. It has tighter handling and is easier to manuever, especially when parking. My husband has a Grand Cherokee and it seems much stiffer in its handling. Like most new cars it took a couple hundred miles to break the engine in, but after a little driving under its belt the engine is extremely smooth. Overall the Compass is perfect for day to day driving.

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  Okay for the price - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Jackie - June 8 - 3:50 am

  I have 60,000 miles on my Jeep and am thinking of getting a new one. I have only replaced the tires, rear brakes and done my regular maintenance. Nothing else. I replaced the CD player because the factory brand is cheap. Also I was re ended in it, completely totaled the other car, just a scratch on my bumper. I love the 4WD and great gas mileage. It is a great car for a mom or a student. It handles nicely. It is strange though that cruise control is not standard. I dont have it. I am thinking of getting a new 2010 Compass. Great jeep for the price!

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  worst jeep ever - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By mammacompass - May 20 - 6:08 am

  I was forced into purchasing a 201 compass brand new in 2011. I have three kids, they do not fit in back seat, they are so cramped! not to mention the whole thing is just small! Ive had to take it in because if a noise turn out front lower arm controls were broke, they replaced them they were under warranty, the day after I got them fixed Im not lying I backed out of my drive way and it sounded like plastic cracking in a million pieces, and then there was the creaking noise again! so Im assumeing its the arm controls again! Ive been to busy to have it fixed but I can tell steering is bad and every time I hit bump I hear the creaking. hate this car!

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  Michigan/Wisconsin Road trip - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By Joe Merriman - May 16 - 8:43 am

  We took a 2163 mile road trip and couldnt believe how smooth the ride was in such a small vehicle. The seat are at just the right height for age 65 to get in and out of. The best mileage 29 least 24. The MPG computer was very accurate. I compare each fill up and follow the mileage. We never felt the transmission shift when going up and down hills. I could see the RPM going up but could not feel it shift gears. Amazing. It fits in the garage better and handles the roads with ease. This is my wifes car. Think I will get me one. I have to 2.0 engine. It has fine pickup.

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  Fun, reliable, useful - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By Lea - April 29 - 2:30 am

  The seats are excellent, build quality is good, no initial problems. The lifetime warranty is drivetrain only, but for $2k I also got the bumper to bumper lifetime. Fun to drive, roomy American made. Am going back to buy another for my daughter.

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  Not a great car for tall or wider people - 2017 Jeep Compass
  By D Huntley - April 4 - 3:08 pm

  We use our vehicles for delivery and are in and out of vehicle all day. The edges of the seat are very hard and hurt our legs as we exit. The seat pans are also too short and tilt upward into your thighs. If youre riding all day its very uncomfortable. Not enough lower back support. Emerge with back and tail end aching after a day in the car. The front seat also has to slide back too far to accommodate tall people. So theres no room in rear seat for other tall people. Acceleration is poor (gutless) uphill and have to turn AC off if you want robust acceleration! Engine is very loud/deafening on acceleration, it sounds like a motorcycle!

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  Do not get a compass. - 2018 Jeep Compass
  By Nelson Perez - March 21 - 10:55 am

  I financed a 2018 compass from Riverdale Chrysler jeep dealer and noticed that the clock was changing hours on its own so went to the dealer to have the jeep checked. They ask me to leave the jeep overnight because it was not legal to drive it with the CLUSTER problem it had. Its been 6 weeks and I still dont have my jeep yet Im making monthly payments and insurance payments. They promised the vehicle if I left it overnight and made 4 different promising dates for the problem to be solved and Im still waiting. Dont recommend the compass to anyone

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  Im impressed! - 2010 Jeep Compass
  By Joe - January 24 - 4:16 pm

  This is such a fun vehicle to drive and its traction control nimbleness on curvy highways is impressive. Mine has the 5 speed manual tranny and there is no problem with power even though the 2.4 L 4 banger is no "Hemi". I have clocked 30 mpg on the highway so far and that has me excited as well. The price I paid for this car plus the quality and value I received is noteworthy. Nothing in the Compass class comes close in my book and I say this after having checked them all out. Id definitely buy another of these. My hat is off to Chrysler.

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  Not so economical - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Bou - January 21 - 9:33 am

  I purchased this car and the next day at about 105 miles started a 450 mile trip. I was not expecting to get 19 MPG on hwy after reading on the Jeep website that you get 380 mile range per tank full. 210 miles into the trip on flat Southern Florida hwy, I had to stop for gas and every 210 to 230 miles thereafter for the rest of the trip and on the way back. Yes A/C was on but 19 mpg. I love the car, the interior and exterior designs but I am very disappointed with the gas mileage. The mileage was a major factor in the purchase decision and I feel that I was lied to.