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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  The Compass direction - 2017 Jeep Compass
  By Russell Leach - October 28 - 5:49 am

  The dealers are all over the place on sales price. That was disappointing. When I stood to leave, they finally gave me what they were advertising.

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  Terrible car experience - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By andera11 - October 22 - 6:08 pm

  This 2007 Jeep Compass is the worst vehicle to drive. It is not reliable; there is always something wrong with it. I had my Transmission Oil Temp light come on within a week of purchasing the vehicle. Roughly 2 weeks later, it came on again and now 8 months later it has come on yet again. The RPMs go up and the speed goes down within 1-3 minutes after the light comes on; makes you pull over on the road side for the vehicle to cool down. Definitely not worth anyones time. Not happy at all. On top of it, they say it is something different every time I take it in to get fixed.I have also had the control arm and sway bar and bushings replaced in the front at 66552 miles.

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  Boo ya - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Kara - October 2 - 7:36 pm

  Nice ride. I went from a Wrangler to the Compass and it was a wise decision. Great gas mileage for a Jeep and I love the exterior/interior look.

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  Almost 2 Months Experience - 2008 Jeep Compass
  By cmthov - September 9 - 11:56 am

  Approaching 2 months and 2000 miles of commuting in Washington, DC -- avg 23.5 MPG (not bad for second worst traffic in the nation). CVT should be traded for Avengers 4 spd auto even at expense of mileage. Love the overall driving position and utility. Wish there was less flash/rough edges where hands spend most time -- steering wheel and gear shift handle. Wide a-pillar width is distracting when rounding curves. Adequate rear seat leg room, but wouldnt want to sit on those seats for any length of time. Overall a competent beater, but its quirks probably give it the lifespan, and legacy, of an AMC Pacer.

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  Excellent little 4x4 SUV - 2014 Jeep Compass
  By caplking - September 6 - 5:05 pm

  Purchased my Compass in July this year. I wanted a Compass True North but Jeep does not build one, just for the auto shows. So I purchased my Compass 2.4, six speed auto,4x4. Using the specs found for the True North, I built one. I added the two inch lift kit and added a performance intake. This is the best SUV I have ever had. I truly love driving the Compass. For those who complain that the engine is sluggish, a performance intake will fix the issue without effecting gas mileage. The lift kit is for better off-roading. No mountain climbing or forging rivers, just good off-roading fun.

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  I guess I got lucky? - 2016 Jeep Compass
  By Mrobinson - September 3 - 11:51 am

  Based on the other reviews you would think this vehicle was sub par. I actually love it ! Takes about $15-$20 to fill where I live (KY) great on the road when Im traveling back and forth about 45minutes away. I can get drive as fast 80-90mph and not even realize it thats how smooth it rides. Ive not experienced any of the below issues. Im 25 so no kids. I have 62 guy friend that fit comfortably in my backseat as well. And I have enough cargo storage for my hair and makeup kit and lighting. Overall great vehicle !

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  rented one to see if i wanted to buy one - 2018 Jeep Compass
  By nyjt - September 3 - 7:52 am

  ok the biggest problem the 9 speed transmission, wow what a disappointment on otherwise a great car. Its a perfect size for me. acceleration is great if you put it in manual mode. the a/c worked well the infortainment system was nice but had a lag in it. the seating was roomy for the size. the exterior is very nice looking. I really liked everything about the car except. the start stop technology was the worsttttttttttttttt when at a stop light engine turns off a/c goes lower and radio stayed on but got a fraction of a second turn off. very annoying like you know something that would have been a test and not perfected and not put in the car but they did anyway! When taking foot off break you feel the car restart and same thing. If I was in stop go traffic I would be miserable and embarrassed if anyone was in car with me. Thirdly how would this be in a year or 5 years down the road this car only had 900 miles on it. The shifting is subpar also and on highway I read other reviews where people say it can be dangerous trying to accelerate (I thought they were being dramatic) they were not. I know in order to pass of step on it it just well didnt . Putting it in manual mode it changed the entire thing to a very very peppy and strong feeling engine that accelerated perfectly. SO its the 9 speed transmission not the engine. I found the engine to be very peppy. So bottom line ON most thruway drive 200 miles each way through virginia I averaged 30 mpg with a/c blasting and 100 degree temps. I did not beat it just drove normal so I thought that was decent. I am not going to buy it, I had my heart set on it but with Jeep reliability ratings and this 9 speed those really cut into the rating of this car. Too bad jeep you always have soem great designs etc but?????

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  Good Choice! - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By BS PA. - August 8 - 2:23 pm

  I was a little nervous about going from a Grand Cherokee to the Compass. I have owned 4 Jeeps up to now and was very lucky with all of them. This little thing turned out to be BETTER on bad roads than the Cherokee! Never even "Fish Tailed". It rides nice, get 24-25 miles per gallon, and has a terrific stereo system. Over all Im very pleased.

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  Around town - 2007 Jeep Compass
  By Bill - July 14 - 11:13 am

  Can not say it is a full 4X4 but as a get around town all weather shopping kart it is the best. Great in snow and ice and good MPG

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2017 Jeep Compass
  By Melanie - July 9 - 4:30 am

  If I could rate this car zero stars I would. Just leased it a week ago 4x4 latitude with all the gadgets etc. Anyway, I was driving down a busy street and It was a red light so the "start stop" system which turns off the engine at stop lights to save fuel started working (You can turn it off by hitting a button everytime you get in the car, but is that really the solution to hope this never happens again). Normally, this system has worked fine. HOWEVER, as I felt the engine turn off, all of a sudden, the car went CRAZY. The parking brake was on and I couldnt turn it off, the wheel wouldnt move, the gears would shift but they flashed, the screen turned on and off, and I COULDNT TURN THE CAR OFF. I was sitting in the middle of a busy one way street on a green light, people were honking, and I couldnt move. I was stuck and couldnt do anything about it. I tried to hold the push to start button down but to no avail, my car WOULD NOT MOVE NOR RESTART. I was sitting in the road for about 10 minutes freaking out and about to call AAA. It was like the car was off, but it was on. Cars wouldnt move around me so it might even be possible that the emergency lights that I turned on werent even on. Suddenly I tried the on button again and it worked. So I turned the car around and gave it to a dealer and explained my problem. They said it would be done in a day. TWO WEEKS LATER, I still do not have my car. No one could figure out what was wrong with it. They told me since the car was so "new (It came out in feb and its July) that they didnt have the technology to figure out what the problem was. The had to call Chrysler who STILL hasnt send over the parts. It was a computer problem, but it took them a week to figure that out, when I told them that the first day. I am very upset that a new car would just stop working like that and I could do nothing about. The dealership and even the own JEEP company didnt know anything. Its scary to think that when they get the replacement part they are going "to fix it" but yet they couldnt even figure out what was wrong with my car. Before leasing this car I checked what people had to say about it, and not once did someone say it stopped working. Well that happened to me and I want everyone to be aware before they think about the New Jeep Compass. (By the way the replacement courtesy vehicle they gave me was NOT sufficient at all. It was a base model with no backup camera, no blind spot, and no automatic headlights. The vehicle I brought in was equipt with everything, even a sun/moon roof. It would be nice if they gave me a car to drive that was somewhere close to that. If I had brought in an SRT Jeep GC would they give me a Dodge Dart?)