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:
Showing 11 through 20 of 317.00-
Dont be fooled by "Cute" - 2018 Jeep Compass
By Jeff - January 27 - 8:45 pmI rented the 2018 Compass and it is is "cute" but has a sluggish 2.4 Cylinder engine, a transmission that to this day Jeep (the ZF-9 Speed) , just cant seem to get to shift right, a dreadful stop-start system, and an air conditioner that even on high is marginal at best. The vent air flow to the driver, by the vent to the right of the drivers steering wheel, is blocked by the steering wheel. Howd they miss that? If someone is hell bent on owning a Jeep buy the Cherokee. For just a few more dollars the ride, comfort, and overall experience is at least 50% better. You still get the lousy transmission but at least you have the option of a V6 (at least in the 2017s). The Cherokee tracks much better on the road also, like its on rails. The Compass, not so much -like to wander more. The interior of the Compass is like a Jeep Cherokee Mini-Me. Fits so much better in the Cherokee. I actually owned a 2015 Cherokee for two years and loved the car except for the transmission. That alone was enough to make me trade the vehicle at 50,000 miles. Maybe they get it right in the 2018 Cherokee. Anyhow.....the Compass is cute.....but you can do much better with your hard earned dollars.
-
overrated - 2007 Jeep Compass
By lulu - January 16 - 3:46 amThe Jeep compass is one of the most overrated vehicles out there. It is not a safe vehicle, it is a vehicle with Major engine problems. Ive owned it since September 2007 and I decided to drive it to my grandmothers funeral in Georgia, big mistake I barely made it home, majors engine problems, and all of a sudden my suv started sounding like a motorcycle, it have bolt and electrical problems. Now Im stuck with a 17,000 bill.
-
worst jeep ever - 2011 Jeep Compass
By mammacompass - May 20 - 6:08 amI 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!
-
Do not get a compass. - 2018 Jeep Compass
By Nelson Perez - March 21 - 10:55 amI 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
-
Dissappointed - 2007 Jeep Compass
By Jeep Compass - July 2 - 10:26 pmI bought the Jeep Compass because I had heard it was a great little SUV along with great reliability....I was very wrong!! I have had the brand new Jeep for only three months and just last week the transmission went out, and it only has 8,000 miles! The passenger door makes a loud screeching noise every time you open it and the rear doors are not even flush with the car. i have to say that is one of the cheapest, and most unreliable cars I have ever owned!
-
My no good car - 2015 Jeep Compass
By Elenanca - December 28 - 6:14 pmI leased the car in 2014 . After driving it for a while I started to be very disappointed by most of features of the car It is like an old car once you press the gas . It makes the noise of a tired grandpa and the noise is loud ! . Poor acceleratin , lack of space for the driver and bad adjustment of driving seat . No real storage at all in the car . The door side pockets are for the birds and the back of the seats have no pockets . There is just a minimal storage box in between the chairs . You can store few things . The trunk has no dividers for anything so your goods goes from right to left and all other directions . Once you get home you repack everything and please dont buy eggs ! !
-
Really think about buying - 2010 Jeep Compass
By Luke - October 29 - 10:00 amMe and my wife owned these vehicle for about six weeks now. First let me say at the time of purchasing the compass it was a good buy after the first week had second thoughts first it was the ignition that went wrong then we got it back ad found it was not fixed so finally after two weeks they finally repaired it second the remote start was having problem they finally repaired that then found there was a oil leak that was coming from the timing cover in which the motor had to be removed from the car to repair so think long and hard about getting a jeep compass in its a hit or miss and another thing very loud inside the cabin due to the engine
-
Piece of Junk! - 2016 Jeep Compass
By Jeff - September 6 - 3:20 amThis Jeep was a loud, gas guzzling, bumpy ride! I was lucky I was just renting. The only thing I liked was the new car smell. I never had to fill again before getting to Las Vegas from L.A. I would never buy this car. My Hyundai had more pick up.
-
Such a disappointment - 2016 Jeep Compass
By TeyMitch - July 19 - 1:15 pmIt looks great from the outside and even the inside is not bad. My problem is while driving it... It "jerks/jolt" you while driving like its trying catch it breath. They when you are trying to gain ahead on another car it "revs" very hard when only trying to get to 50-60 mph. I mean the RPM gets near (5/6) before I reach 45 mph. Closing, It is more dependable than my old car, but I am highly disappointed. I wish I can give it back!
-
Dont buy one - 2007 Jeep Compass
By gary - April 4 - 9:00 amI have had jeeps since the 1950s buying new ones every other year. Never have I bought one as bad as this one. Noisy and rough riding. Terrible blind spots when driving. Save your money and buy a different model.
