Jeep Compass blends stylishness and offroad muscle

JEEP

The Jeep Compass continues the automaker’s lineage.

America loves an SUV no matter the size.

The smaller versions have certainly laid waste to sedans, which most American companies have given up on. Jeep has had its hand in the demise of sedans with vehicles like the Compass.

The current Compass is part of the vehicle’s second generation, which debuted in 2017. That’s a pretty long cycle, but the Compass seems to be aging very well. The look is compatible to the current bigger Jeeps like the Grand Cherokee and even Wagoneer. It avoids the current wide-mouth grille opening that’s taking over, yet this is still a handsome design.

The interior is nice but there are a few drawbacks. The rear seat has a good amount of leg room, but the roofline design intrudes on head room. There is a spacious cargo area – 27.2 cubic feet making it one of the largest areas in class.

I found the rest of the interior to be inviting. There is plenty of room ups front. Some have complained about the positioning of the headrests, but I wasn’t bothered by them. I’m also so shorter so I can see this maybe bothering someone of average height or better. The driver’s seat was comfortable but could use some additional padding for longer trips.

The driver is treated to a modern dash with a bright gauge cluster. To the right is a 10.1 touch screen that houses Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Some of the cars basic functions can be accessed only through the touch screen. There are physical buttons for audio and other controls, but they are not arranged logically. Also, the touchscreen’s menus can be confusing. It is bright and fairly sensitive, however.

The Compass is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo charged four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower and 221 pounds-feet of torque. The drive system is standard four-wheel which gets power sent through an eight-speed transmission. This setup can propel the Compass to 60 miles per hour in the low 8.0 second range. It feels quicker but the transmission can be too slow to down shift too quick to upshift at times. The Compass still manages to feel pretty good in traffic.

The Compass feels even better on the open road. To my surprise the car’s ride is very good. The suspension is tuned for comfort and I’m here for it. Major bumps and thumps don’t make it into the cabin. The ride is very controlled and civil making it a good touring vehicle. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of handling. The Compass leans in the corners even if you are not being overly aggressive. I wish Jeep could have found a better balance between handling and ride comfort.

Jeep has to address the vehicle’s noise level as well. Road, wind and engine noise  combine to be very noticeable. You can compensate by giving more volume to the excellent optional Alpine audio system.

This is a Jeep, so if you need to go off road you will find this more than competent. My test car was a Latitude but if you want something more off-road ready go for the Trailhawk version.

The Compass does have some advantages over the competition. It’s bigger than most in the class, has a powerful standard engine and can handle off-road work without breaking a sweat. You do pay for those advantages, however.

My Compass Latitude started at $30,170. Two options packages added a lot of equipment such as heated steering wheel, auto dimming rearview mirror, remote start, power adjustable lumbar driver’s seat, heated front seats and a power lift gate.

With destination, the as-tested price came to $36,335. There are three more trim levels above this so the price can go higher. Actually, I think I could live with a Compass despite the few flaws.

Pros:

• Stout engine

• Ample room for people and stuff

• Good off-road capabilities

• Comfortable ride

Cons:

• Can get pricey

• Noisy cabin

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