Jeep Compass Review 2024

The Jeep Compass of 2007 was widely panned as a sub-standard SUV. For this second-generation model, launched in 2016, Jeep fixed many of the faults of its predecessor. Nonetheless, this is a very competitive field, and picking the Jeep Compass over the Kia Sportage or big-selling Nissan Qashqai would be a brave move.

In its home of the United States, the Jeep Compass is just another compact SUV offered by the gigantic Stellantis corporation.

Here in the United Kingdom, the Jeep badge has more niche appeal and finds itself taking on some of the best SUVs around.

This means off-road ability is central to its appeal, as we will explain in our Jeep Compass review. And provided you pick the right model, it will not disappoint.

Following an update in 2021, the Jeep Compass is offered with a choice of two engine options, a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol, and a 1.3-litre plug-in hybrid capable of 156mpg.

The latter uses a 11.8kWh battery pack, and has an electric motor dedicated to driving the rear wheels.

As a result, for proper off-road Jeep action, buyers need to specify the 1.3 plug-in hybrid in Trailhawk trim.

This also gives the Jeep Compass serious mud and snow tyres, along with sturdy underbody protection.

In the dirt, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk can hold its own with bigger and more expensive 4x4s. The downside comes when using the Jeep Compass on the road, where its driving dynamics lag behind the majority of competitors.

Platform-sharing now means the Jeep Compass is a relative of numerous other models within the Stellantis family, including the much newer Alfa Romeo Tonale.

While the Italian car is a more luxurious SUV, the Jeep Compass resides at the more rudimentary end of the scale.

Refinement from both the engines is lacking, meaning the switch to petrol power from electricity is easily detected in both of the two powertrains.

As part of the 2021 update, the Jeep Compass gained a remodelled interior. This improved the trim quality, but it still feels more rugged and robust than premium.

At least the Uconnect 10.1-inch multimedia system is easy to use, and there are proper switches and dials for the climate control and air-con.

Cabin space is acceptable in both the front and rear of the Jeep Compass, but boot capacity is smaller than most rivals. There is a minor luggage space penalty for choosing the plug-in hybrid, too.

Given its high price tag, the Jeep Compass is only really likely to appeal to those who love the Jeep badge, or have a genuine need to head off-road into the wilderness.

Everyone else will be much better served by familiar options such as the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson.

No surprise, perhaps, but the Jeep Compass is not a car for keen drivers. Jeep has built a brand around off-road action, so carving up corners on tarmac isn’t high on the list of priorities.

On the road, the steering of the Jeep Compass feels easygoing but vague, although never to the point of making it difficult to drive. In fact, the light steering makes it fairly easy to manoeuvre around town.

With its long-travel suspension, the Jeep Compass is fairly adept at absorbing bumps and ruts in the road. However, the flipside is a lack of body control, resulting in plenty of body-roll.

Trailhawk models, with their dedicated off-road mud and snow tyres, are best suited for life in the rough.

This specification makes the Jeep Compass genuinely impressive, with plenty of traction and the benefit of a high ground clearance.

The second-generation Jeep Compass has had a number of different engine options since launch, but now there are just two to choose from. Neither of the remaining engines is diesel-powered.

Instead, Jeep has embraced hybridisation, as the engine range now starts with the 1.5-litre e-Hybrid four-cylinder petrol.

This uses mild-hybrid technology in a bid to boost efficiency, and comes in front-wheel-drive format only.

It produces 130PS and 240Nm of torque, and sees the Jeep Compass accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is the only transmission available, and it shifts relatively smoothly.

The e-Hybrid system has an electric motor that generates 20PS alone, which is sufficient to let the Jeep Compass creep in traffic using electric power.

Braking can help recharge the 0.8kWh battery, although its small size does limit how far the Jeep Compass can go in electric mode.

When the petrol engine does spring into life, it sounds fairly uncouth, leaving you in no doubt that it is working.

The other engine option in the Jeep Compass range is the 1.3-litre T4 PHEV 4xe plug-in hybrid. Combining the petrol engine with an electric motor results in a total output of 240PS and 270Nm of torque.

With both power sources working together, the Jeep Compass 4xe can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds.

Despite this, and the instant torque of the electric motor, it never manages to feel particularly quick. Like the mild-hybrid version, the full plug-in hybrid is not the quietest or smoothest petrol engine when in use.

A six-speed automatic gearbox is fitted to all Jeep Compass 4xe plug-in hybrids. The electric motor dedicates its power to the rear axle, meaning this is the only all-wheel-drive Jeep Compass available.

For off-road action, it means you will need to keep the batteries fully charged.

The Jeep Compass was assessed by the Euro NCAP safety organisation when launched, and received the coveted maximum five-star rating.

This included a 90 percent score for adult occupant protection, but only 59 percent for safety assist systems.

All Jeep Compass models come with adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning, a speed limiter and blind-spot monitoring.

As a compact crossover SUV, the Jeep Compass might hold appeal for those looking to pull trailers and caravans. However, its hauling capacity is not the largest in the class.

Versions with the 1.3-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain can pull braked trailers of up to 1250kg. The 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine is more capable, towing up to 1450kg.

Despite only being slightly larger than the Jeep Renegade, the Jeep Compass is far superior when it comes to accommodating passengers.

Space in the front is particularly generous, with lots of headroom and legroom on offer. The driving position is commanding, helped by the raised ride height.

Opting for the panoramic sunroof does have an impact on headroom for taller drivers, though.

Rear-seat space is also fairly competitive, with the ability to squeeze three adults across the bench for short journeys at least. Two adults will be far happier, thanks to the legroom on offer, and fitting children in the rear will be no problem at all.

When it comes to boot capacity, the Jeep Compass is something of a rarity among SUVs. Choosing the plug-in hybrid 1.3 4xe has only a minimal impact on luggage space, offering close to the same amount as the mild-hybrid 1.5-litre model.

With the rear seats in place, this means a capacity of 420 litres for the plug-in hybrid, or 438 litres for the mild-hybrid version.

This is some way behind the latest competition, though. A Nissan Qashqai can accommodate 479 litres in hybrid form, while a plug-in hybrid Kia Sportage can carry 540 litres of luggage.

When it was first launched, the interior of the second-generation Jeep Compass was fairly basic. An update has brought a newer, better-made, cabin, but it still won’t win any awards for quality and finish.

Most parts feel relatively solid, fitting with Jeep’s durable image. However, the door handles and storage bins are flimsier, and do not stand up to close scrutiny.

Following the facelift in 2021, all versions of the Jeep Compass come fitted as standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen.

This uses the Uconnect system, found in a host of models across the Stellantis automotive family.

For all the ruggedness of the Jeep Compass, its infotainment system is a genuine highlight in the cabin. It is quick to respond, intuitive to use and does not operate the dual-zone climate control.

Instead, the latter has some traditional switches and dials, which can be used while wearing winter gloves.

Incorporated into the Uconnect system are DAB radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Higher-specification versions come with satellite navigation, along with wireless smartphone charging.

A 10.25-inch digital instrument panel is fitted to all Jeep Compass models as well. This offers plenty of useful information, including the charge level for the batteries.

At the time of writing, prices for the Jeep Compass start at just over £35,000 for the 1.5 mild-hybrid version in entry-level Limited trim.

For comparison, a Nissan Qashqai costs just £27,000, with a Skoda Karoq requiring less than £28,000.

The Jeep Compass in 1.3 plug-in hybrid specification costs just below £41,500 in Limited guise. Picking S or Trailhawk trim for the Jeep Compass PHEV takes the price tag to almost £44,500.

This is about the same as an Audi Q3 TFSI e plug-in hybrid.

With the switch to hybrid powertrains, the updated Jeep Compass has been designed to maximise efficiency where possible.

The ability to travel short distances on electric power means the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine is able to offer an official fuel consumption figure of up to 48.7mpg.

To understand how realistic this will be on the road, be sure to read our Real MPG submissions for the Jeep Compass.

The plug-in hybrid 1.3 4xe delivers the attention-grabbing fuel economy figures, thanks to its ability to travel more than 30 miles on battery power.

This means the 1.3 4xe is officially capable of up to 156mpg, although you’ll need to charge the 11.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack regularly to come close to this figure.

Compared to the 1.5 mild-hybrid, the Jeep Compass 1.3 4xe plug-in hybrid will be the better option for company car drivers. CO2 emissions of between 44g/km and 47g/km result in a low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rating.

The Jeep Compass comes as standard with a three-year warranty, although this can be extended further at the time of purchase.

Jeep also offers various servicing packages to spread the cost of routine maintenance. The battery pack on the plug-in hybrid 4xe comes with a separate eight-year warranty.

Offsetting the relatively expensive list price of the Jeep Compass is a standard specification that is strong across the entire model range. 

The starting point is the Jeep Compass Limited, which benefits from 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED front fog lights and LED tail lights.

Limited also brings black roof rails, along with a black front grille with chrome details.

On the inside, the Jeep Compass Limited has seats finished in a combination of black cloth and vinyl, with ‘Diesel’ stitching.

The gear lever is wrapped in leather, plus there is dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Standard features on the Jeep Compass Limited include adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, keyless entry and start, and automatic headlights.

A 10.1-inch Uconnect multimedia screen includes DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Completing the cabin is a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel.

Offered only with the 1.5 mild-hybrid engine, the Jeep Compass High Altitude is a mid-range option.

Standard features include gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumper inserts, body-coloured flared wheelarches and rugged plastic cladding.

The interior comes with seats that use a similar combination of cloth and black vinyl, but feature red stitching instead.

At the top of the list is the Jeep Compass S, with a set of 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels and a black-painted roof.

Neutral Grey is used for the exterior accents on the Jeep Compass S, with the window surrounds finished in gloss black.

On the inside, black leather upholstery swathes the seats, with an eight-way power adjustable driver’s chair. A hands-free power tailgate is fitted, along with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality.

The Uconnect infotainment system gains satellite navigation, while there is also traffic sign recognition and hill-descent control.

Available only with the 1.3 plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is designed for going off-road.

It has 17-inch alloy wheels with mud- and snow-rated tyres, off-road-ready front and rear bumpers, plus a number of skid plates protecting the underside of the vehicle.

There is also off-road-specific suspension, with hill-descent control and a special off-road mode for the Selec-Terrain system.

Other benefits include ventilated leather seats and wireless smartphone charging.