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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  Interior is terrible. - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By Ben - November 29 - 8:10 am

  Whilst this vehicle is a very nice vehicle to look at the quality of the interior is terrible. My wifes car is just over a year old and the plastic skirting on the front chair has snapped off. The storage panels on both front doors are beginning to break off. Overall very cheaply made interior. About the only good thing going for this vehicle is the good gas mileage. If this is how jeeps are being manufactured now then this will be the last one that I purchase.

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  Not crazy about it - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By blackhaus50 - April 4 - 11:10 pm

  Got this 07 compass from my parents for only 3k. Was a gift, we just had a baby and they wanted something bigger. Not a bad looking SUV but the 2.4 has no power. Feel like Im towing a boat behind me! The interior is small for our liking, hate where the cup holders are and not much room in the back seats. But hey I only got it for 3k with 20k on it. It is what it is. A gift. I just wouldnt buy one. We have a 07 grand Cherokee a much more powerful and bigger SUV

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  Starting to have problems - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Sue - March 1 - 4:26 pm

  We bought our 07 Compass one year ago. We bought it because of the warranty. I loved it in the beginning, but in the year, we have replaced 5 speakers, need new tires (only 32,000 miles)and had a tie rod replaced. Now there is a terrible noise coming from the back rear area when the brakes are applied. Took it to the dealer, they said it was a CD case rattling in the cubby in the back, well I didnt know and took off, and it is still doing it. I am not happy I am thinking there is something wrong, maybe the ABS or something. I am not a happy JEEP person at this point. Anyone else have issues with noises in the back end??

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  Zippy - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Charlie - October 15 - 9:46 am

  Major parts failed at low mileage. Ball joints needed before 100000. Transmission replaced at 140000.

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  Its been good to me - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By tinocco - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive had mine for more than 2 years, I got it when it had 21,000 mi. Now it has 55,000 mi. Ive had two problems so far a sway bar link no big deal. But I got a problem with the power steering is leaking and I havent fixed yet I just put some liquid sealer and I hasnt leaked since. I got around 24- 26 mpg on hwy 19-21 city not bad. Over all Im happy with it.

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  2010 Jeep Compass 4DR 4WD Sport - 2010 Jeep Compass
  By phzzzt - July 19 - 12:45 pm

  Great car for the money. We get 26 MPG on the Xway and 23 City. Only problem is the screws holding the roof rack have all rusted. Im talking about a 16 month old car with under 16,000 miles that is kept in a garage. Since we noticed the rusting we have looked at other Compass parked and noticed they all have rusted roof rack screws. Dealer will replace the screws but not with stainless steel as they should be. Suggest that if you own a Compass. you check for the same problem.

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  New are lemons - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By sinus - June 12 - 3:16 am

  I have been having problems with this car since I bought it. Now the suspension is jack up the steering wheel making loud noise. The brakes feel like they going to give out especially when I am going down a street and trying to stop. The brake feel like its touching the ground this should not be going on. I bought this brand new, very upset. Now I want this car back. I am scared of this monster.

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  NOT what you would expct from Jeep - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By yooper906 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  The day we bought our Jeep Compass we were excited, a sexy black ride, with great gas mileage, and four wheel drive. We though we had found the perfect vehicle. NOT THE CASE. Our Jeep has been in the shop so many times the service manager knows me and my wife by name, when we come in for oil changes he gives us a loaner because there is usually something else wrong. The front end components have been replaced numerous times, we have fought the lemon law fight, but have gotten the run around. Several tires have been chewed up by this beast. It is loud on the highway, underpowered, and most importantly, not mechanically sound. PLEASE, do not consider the Compass, they are trouble.

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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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  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!