 | Positives: Easy price of entry, better powertrain is smoother, good infotainment system, standard all-wheel drive. |
 | Negatives: Cheap and bulky looks, grabby brakes, looks and feels low rent compared to the competition. |
 | Bottom Line: The Compass offers a lot for the money, including standard all-wheel drive, but it lacks the polish of competitors. |
Driving Experience
Last year, Jeep saw fit to give the Compass a new 200-hp four-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This made a significant improvement over the old and rather tepid 180-hp four and slow-shifting 9-speed automatic. The new engine is no powerhouse, but the operation is much smoother. It's too bad the steering and braking can't rise to the occasion. Competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V fare much better when it comes to driving.
Ride Quality: The ride is firm, but it remains decently comfy over undulating surfaces.
Acceleration: 0-60 arrives in a respectable 7.5 seconds. The transmission seems up to the task this time, and the 200-hp four-cylinder is smooth and capable.
Braking: The brakes are on the grabby side, making brake modulation difficult.
Steering: The steering is pretty precise, and there's definitely some heft to the effort, but the feedback isn't anywhere to be found.
Handling: There's some mild body roll, but cornering is without drama. There's no real oversteer to speak of.
Technology
The 10.1-inch touchscreen is echelons better than the old 8-inch Uconnect. Not only does it look better, but it's positioned better atop the dash verses embedded in the dash. There's no digital instrument panel (although there is a center display between the analog gauges). Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is optional and was present on our tester.
Infotainment System: The screen is easy to read, and the graphics and fonts are crisp. Responsiveness is decent, but it's not as good as Ford's SYNC 3.
Controls: We quite like the switchgear on the center stack, as well as the presence of a traditional shift knob (although the shape could use some work). The steering wheel buttons are well laid-out and easy to use.
Styling
Although the Compass has received some refreshed exterior details, it's hard to love the overall look that's definitely cheap and bulky in its appearance. The Compass needs a redesign that looks more consistent with the new Grand Cherokee. Even the smaller Renegade looks better. At least the interior has improved.
Front: We like the Jeep grille slats, but the front end is compromised by dull-looking headlights, odd foglight placement, and the busyness of the lower fascia that seems like Jeep could figure out what they wanted it to look like.
Rear: Taillight design seems very '90s, and their overly complex shape doesn't work well when combined with the high bumper and small liftgate.
Profile: The tires don't fill the wells, and the C-pillar is way too thick. It could also use one less body crease that makes the short wheelbase look too busy.
Cabin: Although it can't compete with Mazda, Kia, or Honda for style, the grey fabric trim looks great, and the linear dash opens the cabin up. The rest is a lot of dark plastic.
Comfort
For a small crossover, the Jeep Compass is quite roomy, especially in row two. Ergonomics have been improved to make it more comfortable to operate, but there are still some cheap plastics at key touchpoints that make the Compass less desirable than some of the competition.
Front Seats: The front seats are decent, and there's ample headroom and legroom for the front occupants.
Rear Seats: 38.3 inches of legroom is substantial, but it's not as large as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, or the Hyundai Tucson.
NVH (noise/vibration/harshness): Build quality is good, and we didn't experience any creaks or rattles. It is a bit noisy at highway speeds, signifying the insufficiency of sound deadening.
Visibility: Most of the view is pretty good, but the enormous C-pillars make over-the-shoulder viewing a challenge.
Climate: copy text
Safety
The Compass did well in safety tests by both the IIHS and the NHTSA. The 2024 hasn't been tested yet, but it has largely been unchanged in this first-generation's lifespan.
IIHS Rating: It earned the Top Safety Pick award, with minor demerits in headlights (depending on trim level), as well as LATCH ease of use and seat belt warnings.
NHTSA Rating: It earned four out of five stars in safety tests.
Standard Tech: The Compass Latitude comes with Full–Speed Forward–Collision Warning Plus, Blind–Spot and Cross–Path Detection, Active Lane–Management System, Pedestrian / Cyclist Emergency Braking, Rear–Seat Reminder Alert, Drowsy Driver Detection, Push–Button Start, Automatic Headlamps, Speed Control, Advanced Brake–Assist, Speed–Sensitive Power–Locks, and ParkView Rear Back–Up Camera
Optional Tech: Our tester came with ParkSense Front and Rear Park–Assist System, Parallel & Perpendicular Park & Unpark–Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and a 360 Surround View Camera System.
Storage/Cargo
The cargo space in the Compass is just okay. It's not huge in the back, and there are competitors that do far better in this regard. At least the interior storage options are good.
Storage Space: The large front binnacle that houses the wireless phone charger also provides good small item storage space, along with decently sized front door pockets and armrest compartment. Too bad there's no storage shelf in the dash.
Cargo Room: The Compass provides a substantial 27.2 cubes behind row two, but there's only 59.8 cubes with the seats folded flat. That's less than the Kia Seltos, the Toyota RAV4, and the Honda CR-V.
Fuel Economy
The Compass's 200-hp four-cylinder engine isn't a miser, but our numbers were decent in our week-long driving period. We drove it in a mix of highway and city driving conditions.
Observed: 23.9 mpg.
Distance Driven: 243 miles.
Audio
Our Latitude trimmed Compass came standard with the stock 6-speaker audio system. It was decent but not especially noteworthy in terms of sound quality and bass. It's too bad you have to tack on over $3k to get the optional Alpine premium audio system in the Sun & Sound Package. That's a lot of coin for this affordable SUV.
Final Thoughts
The Compass has some good things going for it with a decent powertrain, standard all-wheel drive, and a good amount of interior space. It's just the dated styling outside and the lame brakes that sully the formula. Jeep needs to resdesign the Compass soon or run the risk of falling seriously behind the competition.