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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  Piece of Junk! - 2016 Jeep Compass
  By Jeff - September 6 - 3:20 am

  This 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.

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  My Jeep is on Fire - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By yingyang - August 24 - 5:46 am

  Well, my leased 2007 Jeep Compass caught fire last night in my friends driveway after being driven for approx. 45 mins on the highway. Three firetrucks and two cops cars later - the report says "electrical fire". No on hurt but major stress. Thought, I should put it there for all to review. Anyone else on fire?

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  okay - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By amanda - August 22 - 8:23 pm

  All in all this is a great suv. The only problem I have with it is the design such as seams on the inside interior like doors and exterior like the back hatch are not perfect. They do not properly meet, have grooves in the metal. So it looks cheap but others cant see it, just the poor owner. Kinda disappointed in this since Jeep is supposed to be such a great company.

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  love my compass - 2010 Jeep Compass
  By penny1520 - August 10 - 11:01 am

  I bought my 2010 Compass used with 36000 miles automatic variable transmission I dont know why edmunds gave it such a bad review I love love love this vehicle the only thing I have to complain about is that I wish I would have gotten the latitude or limited instead of the sport but the next compass I buy will be one of those 2 models

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  42,000 & shot! Poor sub standard quality - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By BarbinCT - August 4 - 9:40 am

  Within the first week of owning, failed computer module cause unsafe driving conditions and faulty triggering of my tcs/abs on the highway.? car would slow down, not accelerate.. Dangerous! Dealer said this issue was not part of the recall related to abs? had to go to shop 3 times before this was properly diagnosed and corrected. At 30, ooo miles the clutch needed supposed replacing, out of pocket expense ($1300), not warrantied. Never had a clutch wear out or need replacing in 20 years of driving 5 speed manual! Very next day, broke down again, had another clutch issue.. Cable broke, this was covered? towed in and repaired clutch 2 days in a row?

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  Such a disappointment - 2016 Jeep Compass
  By TeyMitch - July 19 - 1:15 pm

  It 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!

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  Downsizing for a Durango - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By spiegs - July 15 - 10:23 pm

  Coming from a LARGE suv I feared all small suvs. Boy was I relieved to find it roomy and very fun to drive! I can still pack a full cart from a day of shopping. My husband has even taken it out on some trails, he says it was surprising.

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  Who are these experts? - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Vidin - July 13 - 2:20 am

  We bought a 2007 Jeep Compass after trying several other models including the Honda Element(expensive) and the Subaru Impreza(ok). We have had the car for one year and put 18,000 miles. No problems, great in the snow, fun around town, comfortable back seat, averages 24 mpg just like it said it would. A great car that is getting a bad rap by people who dont own one. I would say look to the owners and see what they are saying. The biggest negative is the interior- which I like. And the fact it isnt "Trail Rated"- Hello McFly- not going on the Rubicon anytime soon! Give this one a second look and you wont be sorry.

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  2007 Jeep Compass - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By 2007 Compass - June 28 - 7:40 pm

  Purchased the Compass Sport 4x4 with the 26E package and the Driver Convenience Group. Having Jeeps pretty much most of my life I was pleasantly surprised when I took the Compass for a test drive, it rides like a car, very smooth but firm. From the exterior the vehicle looks kind of small, however when your inside there is ample room and the interior is very comfortable. I shopped around a lot driving everything from Toyota, Honda, Mazda, etc, however the smooth ride and the look is what I was sold on. Gas mileage has been better than the sticker; city roughly 25mpg and highway 30mpg.

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  Fun little car! - 2012 Jeep Compass
  By NWDriver - June 27 - 2:54 am

  Love the stick model 4cy. Goes when you need it. Like the hill assist, great turning radius too. Gets on avg 25 city and upto 32 mpg with surfboards on roof rack. Not fancy but fits our family needs! Serviced for electrical 1x, wires rubbing under dash were causing the dash panel to go out. Tough little car, ran over a deer @ 45 mph with little damage. 90k and going great.