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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  I Love it! - 2014 Jeep Compass
  By abbeykadabbey - December 23 - 4:48 pm

  I have read a lot of poor reviews on this vehicle and I have to be honest, Im quite surprised. I absolutely love my 2014 Jeep Latitude 2.4 4x4. It drives amazing in the snow. I feel so safe and I also test drove a few other vehicles, including the Nissan Rogue. I absolutely hated the interior of the Rogue and felt it display screen was very outdated as compared to the Jeep touch screen 6.5 display. I definitely recommend the Lattitudes. I didnt test drive the sport though, so maybe thats what people were unhappy with.

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  Good compromise - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By ex-p t woody - October 23 - 6:20 am

  I traded in a 4x4 Dodge Dakota and a PT Cruiser woody with 16000 miles on it. I was looking for a combination of the 2 vehicles and after driving the Compass I knew this was the vehicle to fill the bill. I love driving the vehicle and its more comfortable than both of the vehicles I traded in. I am getting 23-24 mpg with the air conditioning on.which is a lot better than the Dakota and PT Cruiser. I love this vehicle.

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  Love It! - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By darcy - September 11 - 7:33 pm

  We bought the Compass after our Toyota Matrix was crushed by a tree during a spring storm. We love it! It is so quiet, fun to drive, gas mileage is good. It drives more like a car than a SUV. Go with the driver convenience package for the heated leather seats, sunroof etc. It is well worth it. Plenty of room in the back seat for children and dogs. And our car insurance went down.

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  Good stuff - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By dave - August 30 - 7:20 am

  Good car, no problem so far, the only thing is the lights come on when lock or unlock vehicle with the remote control, kills the battery,

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  I like it! - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By Mission - July 21 - 5:46 am

  Just picked up an 08 last weekend. So far I love it!. Fun to drive very comfortable and good on gas. I actually really enjoy the CVT transmission and when I need a change I go to autostick. You do not need any more power than this in a vehicle.

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  60 day review - 2009 Jeep Compass
  By Zeferam_Cockran - July 18 - 10:23 pm

  As follows are the assessments after 60 days for Compass sport 5spd 4x4 north: Average fuel mileage ( without Air cond running ) 28mpg, 80% highway at 74mph, 20% city. 5 speed tranny good but requires work for reverse with clutch. Engine good and quiet, no rattles or noises, no false starts. No faults detected, interior build better than other models such as 08 Liberty. Great ride handling, good sound insulation. Tested 4x4 on muddy access trail, no undercarriage hits, good ground clearance for model. All in all a very good purchase for the dollar and only real 4x4 offered with 5spd in this price range. Easy to reach zones for cleaning since my co-pilots are my pets.

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  Pretty decent so far - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By adriane - July 8 - 9:23 am

  So far this vehicle has been great, I havent had any complaints against it. I find it to be comfortable to ride/ drive in. I like the way it handles, but Im not a speed demon anyways. I read the Editors reviews before purchasing and I dont have any regrets on buying this vehicle.

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  look at the 2009 - 2009 Jeep Compass
  By rhfisherii - July 5 - 11:40 pm

  Before purchasing a 09 Compass, I read a lot of reviews for the 08. I AM GLAD THAT I DID NOT RELY ON THOSE REVIEWS! Complaints lodged against the 08 Compass have been rectified in 09: the interior has been redesigned and looks great, the additional noise dampening makes the vehicle ride quietly and the transmission is smooth. This thing is fun to drive and has a lot of pickup for a 4 cyl. engine. I was looking for a 6 cyl. vehicle but this one won me over after a test drive. Fuel economy is good and the price is fantastic. I personally love the look of the vehicle-as long as it is red, blue or orange-the other colors make the vehicle look long (my opinion). I give it a solid 9-test drive one!

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  High Gas Mileage Jeep - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Ken Kotarski - May 26 - 12:36 am

  I bought this 4x4 Jeep Compass for higher gas mileage. And with the snow and ice lately on the roads, its still a road holding Jeep!

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  Compass - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By mark - May 24 - 3:03 am

  An excellent vehicle. I love the CVT transmission and the engine surprises me with its performance. The paint job is very nice and the overall quality is good. I really like this car.