Jeep Compass SUV Review

If you can’t recall the original Jeep Compass SUV, then that’s probably for the best.

It was the American brand’s attempt at penetrating the burgeoning crossover market, but curious looks and interior finishes that lagged behind its European, Korean and Japanese rivals stifled much of the enthusiasm Jeep tried to whip up.

The good news is that this second attempt is much more successful – as well as being much more international in flavour.

Design to lock horns with the Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan and a plethora of other highly competitive SUVs, does this generation of Compass have more of a point to it?

Familiar Jeep underpinnings for the Compass

Jeep is hoping to captialise on the success of the Italian-built Renegade with the Compass and to that end it’s based it on its smaller sibling.

Stretching the wheelbase out by 70mm and extending the bodywork at the back benefits both rear-seat passengers and the Compass’s luggage-carrying capabilities.

There’s a strange effect upon the styling, though, with the rear axle looking like its set too far forwards within the traditionally-shaped housings of the trapezoidal wheelarches, a familiar Jeep cue.

Further nods to the brand’s heritage include a stance that looks ripe for off-roading, particularly in range-topping Trailhawk guise with its chamfered bumpers, but purists will lament what’s happened to the trademark seven-slot grille – it’s now merely moulded plastic without any perforations in it.

That’s the Compass isn’t as bold as the smaller Renegade or larger Cherokee is deliberate, Jeep believing there’s a large number of crossover buyers who are looking for something a little more conservatively styled.

Limited range of Jeep Compass engines

Powering the Indian-built Compass is a small selection of MultiAir II petrol and MultiJet II diesel engines, already seeing service in a number of other Jeeps and Fiats.

The engine choices are:

• 1.4 MultiAir II petrol, two-wheel drive, 140hp, manual gearbox
• 1.4 MultiAir II petrol, four-wheel drive, 170hp, automatic gearbox
• 1.6 MultiJet II diesel, two-wheel drive, 120hp, manual gearbox
• 2.0 MultiJet II diesel, four-wheel drive, 140hp, manual and automatic gearboxes
• 2.0 MultiJet II diesel, four-wheel drive, 170hp, automatic gearbox

Jeep claims best-in-class off-roading ability for the Compass Trailhawk if that’s a priority for you.

The cheapest Jeep Compass to run will be the 1.6 diesel with two-wheel drive, which has a claimed fuel economy of 64.2mpg. None of the engine and transmission options have sub-50mpg fuel economy, however.

Jeep Compass: enhanced  technology

Jeep is following the familiar Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk trim structure with increasing levels of kit and niceties as the prices rise accordingly.

There’s plenty of contemporary technology to keep you both safe and protected in the Compass, with an effective adaptive cruise control system for on-road use and a Selec-Terrain driving mode control for when the going’s much tougher.

A welcome upgrade’s been ushered in for the Uconnect multimedia system, available in 5.0- 7.0 and 8.4-inch touchscreen sizes. We’ve only sampled the largest of these systems, but it proved responsive, with attractive graphics and the ability to connect smartphones with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Parkers Verdict

If you need your family-sized crossover to have genuine off-road ability, then the Jeep Compass in Trailhawk guise has got to be near the top of your list.

But if that go-anywhere ability is less of a priority – and let’s face it, the majority of Compasses will remain resolutely on the asphalt – then the Jeep is relegated to the ranks of being a decent alternative choice to the usual suspects in this segment.

If you want a Jeep that’s bold and don’t need quite so much space inside, the Renegade’s still the one to have

Read on for the full Jeep Compass review