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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  She loves her Jeep - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By joplinjeep - April 23 - 4:11 am

  After much looking we found the car my wife loves. She likes the styling, exterior looks and and the interior and the way it feels to drive. She did not like her previous car because she felt it just seemed cheaply made even though it only had less than 7000 miles on it. Saw the Jeep accident and right away she loved the styling and the feel and quality of interior.

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  Small Gas Tank - 2016 Jeep Compass
  By Cathy - April 16 - 3:25 pm

  I commute 45 minutes each way, have to fill up a lot - cheap to fill but the tank is so small, only about 13 gallons. Also, Jeep is not compatible with an Iphone so phones navigation and sounds dont work when connected. You can make calls with Uconnect but thats it. Have to turn bluetooth off to use phones navigation. No speak for text either.

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  Perfect Small SUV - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By jammy2 - April 4 - 4:26 pm

  Love this Jeep!! Its everything I wanted in a SUV. I went from an Olds Alero to this jeep and couldnt be happier. My kids have so much more room to stretch out in.

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  Good - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By Gemms - April 1 - 1:13 pm

  I got it in Oct 2008 and I like it seeing how I own 1 other jeep before, it runs very good so far, I can not say that I like the way or how the sales people push it on me, I would change a lot about the way Cary auto park does there thing and have a lot of bad things to say about them but I do like the Jeep compass over all!

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  Low cost SUV - 2014 Jeep Compass
  By izaclown1 - February 5 - 9:59 pm

  Never owned a Jeep before, but I bought the 5 speed with the 2.4L engine. I have put 2k+ on it so far. It is a fun car to drive with plenty of room for me at 61".

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  Most Comfortable Ride in its Class!! - 2018 Jeep Compass
  By Big Dude - February 5 - 7:55 am

  I am 6 3" and this SUV had the most leg and sholder room and comfortable seat in its class. I test drove all the competition before I bought and the Jeep Compass had the best ride and most room of them all hands down. I am also very impressed with quality and the styling of the interior. The Jeep was also less money with the same features as most of the competition I tested, bonus!!

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  Compass is the Best - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Tommy - February 1 - 5:33 pm

  We have owned the Compass for almost 2 months and have found it to be everything we wanted in this size vehicle. Love the heated seats and the ride is excellent. All the comfort details are well placed and look great. The styling is right up there with the competition and the pricing is well below others in its group. Have owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Dodge Durango and this is smaller and more versatile than either if you do not need to haul a lot. Totally satisfied.

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  Love my Compass - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By JILTHOMA - January 27 - 2:03 pm

  I started looking for something that was fun to drive and had a unique look. As soon as I pulled out of the dealership for my test drive, I fell in love with how it handled. I have taken it on a few road trips and had amazing gas mileage. My only gripe (which is actually a good thing) is that I have had to learn to be to overly cautious with blind spots because I am a little shorter. That aside, I have recommended not only my Compass but Jeeps in general to anyone and everyone who will listen. It is an amazing SUV that gets great mileage (I average 30 mpg highway), havent had any problems with upkeep, and is it a lot of fun to drive.

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  Go with the automatic :() - 2011 Jeep Compass
  By motown_guy - January 16 - 2:51 am

  I went with the manual tranny which I regret. The low torgue requires you to bump up the rpms quite a bit to get this thing going. Once going its fairly responsive as long as you keep the tach above 1800 or so. If you shift at or above around 3200 or so, you feel a LOT of vibration coming back thru the clutch pedal and the reverse gear seems to have been delivered with some rough teeth - sounds like you are grinding hamburger if you go very far in reverse. Handling on the other hand is very good. Its fun to corner with this rig and it stays very flat. Its quite on decent roads and rides comfortably. The center armrest is too short and cumbersome (it moves fore and aft).

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  Loving My Compass - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By LUVMYCOMPASS - January 8 - 3:03 pm

  Ive read quite a number of reviews on the Compass which would normally deter me from buying it. After test driving the Compass, I loved it. I traded in my Vibe. The Compass is quieter, rides much smoother (doesnt ride like a typical 4 cyl), more roomy. Ive only put about 2,000 miles on it so far. It has plenty of pep for me and Im getting about 30 mpg. People need to take a more serious look at the Compass, despite what the critics say. I dont have all the bells and whistles on my Compass which made it extremely affordable for me and quite the bargain.