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 31 through 40 of 317.00-
Pleasant but ... - 2010 Jeep Compass
By diligent_buyer - March 9 - 10:00 amUseful tip for potential buyers: Drive preferably in slow traffic. While going on an uphill or flat road accelerate the car to 25 mph, let off the pedal and you will feel the car shaking. This will not go away as long as you own the car. If you can take it, you will be ok. This applies to the Jeep Patriot as well.
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Ignore the critics.... Compass is A-OK! - 2008 Jeep Compass
By CompassMan - March 3 - 9:23 amOur 2008 Compass Sport is an extremely nice, well featured vehicle... esp. when considering what we paid out-the- door for it: $16,400. The interior catches way TOO much flak from reviewers. It is roomy and the seats are very comfortable. Gas mileage is good: 4 people/luggage, A/C on, 75 mph produced nearly 26 mpg on a recent trip. No A/C and under 65 mph pushed it up over 30 mpg! Its been reliable, and only had one warranty repair for a couple of suspension bolts in nearly 20k mileage. As far as performance... all you have to do is put your foot down on the accelerator a bit more firm and get the RPMs up. Thats it. The 172 HP does the rest. Highly recommend for $$$
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Not worth buying worst car I ever owned - 2007 Jeep Compass
By Rich - February 26 - 4:15 amOnly had my Jeep Compass for 9 months I bought it used with 90 k miles since owning it the 9 months dumped about 6 grand into it def. not worth what the resale value is it does drive and I feel it is reliable to a point but every part that needs to be replaced when I had the issue was a arm and a leg I feel Chrysler and the jeep dealerships now this so everytime I bring it in its o this much time this much to fix while the parts are no where near what they cost or I feel they just try to get money from u I have a aftermarket exhaust which comes from the cat back which is not a no name brand it has a life time warranty on it and there telling me it all has to be replaced that my cat is aftermarket too lol I helped put it on I know theres only one cat and it goes from the cat back it was just the muffler and the pipe that went to the cat lol. But any way just trying to say that Im very disappointed in this vehicle and jeep themselves
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Fuel - 2010 Jeep Compass
By janet - February 13 - 1:10 pmEats up way too much gas. My 7 year old Kia got better miles than this no way I get 23 miles a gallon.
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luvin-it - 2008 Jeep Compass
By mills64 - December 21 - 7:20 pmGreat suv, great mileage, very roomy vehicle my family is very comfortable in this vehicle and a fun vehicle to drive 45 minute back and forth to work
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Great Jeep - 2016 Jeep Compass
By Bono - December 15 - 3:54 pmWe love this Jeep. Great options, great price, great ride.
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Love This Jeep! - 2007 Jeep Compass
By T.T. - December 6 - 2:00 amBought this Jeep to drive back and forth to work and on business trips since my F-150 isnt the best on gas. Best Decision I made! This jeep gets 26-27 city and 29-30 on the hwy! Lots of room and I love the trunk area. My Black Lab rides back there with plenty of room to move around. This jeep also has lots of nooks and crannies to store stuff which is great. I wouldnt trade my jeep for anything!
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awesome - 2007 Jeep Compass
By akersey2 - November 15 - 11:23 amIve been reading the reviews that have been posted and I dont know what to say about all the problems that they have been having with the vehicle. I purchased my 1st Jeep Compass in Dec. 2006. The following May I was in a car accident when a dump truck hit my passenger side and pushed it to the drivers side. I was very grateful that the vehicles structure was saved my life. A month later I went out and purchased my 2nd Jeep Compass and have had no problems with it. Ive had it for 2 years now with 34K miles on it. I travel often to Texas from Iowa and have no issues.
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Love it - 2007 Jeep Compass
By ron - October 17 - 1:50 amRides better than PT Cruiser. wish the CVT was quicker, and would hold hill. Gas mileage is better too (25) or more consistantly. Wish 4x4 was real full time like my Grand Cherokee, no need to pull lever for deep stuff. Like it much better than friends Caliber.
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Glad I took a second look. - 2007 Jeep Compass
By S Nance - October 15 - 11:26 pmI love my Compass. Gas mileage is what they claimed it would be, and so fun to drive. I was looking for something smaller (had a Pacifica) to drive with better gas mileage. Turned out I dont feel I down graded - I love the look and feel of it. Has plenty of pep and love the way the seats will lay flat. Really designed well.
