The Jeep Compass Trades on Genuine Off-Road Credentials, Everywhere Except the Numbers
The review is candid about where this car sits nine years into its life: authentic Jeep character and off-road ability, wrapped around an interior and reliability record that trail newer, more polished rivals.
Illustration for editorial purposes
An Ageing Car Still Leaning on Real Strengths
Nine years is a long time for any model to stay on sale without a full redesign. Reviewers keep noting this car has aged in some obvious ways, while still delivering the one thing its badge promises better than most direct rivals.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Compact SUV |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (200bhp) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic, standard all-wheel drive |
| 0–60mph | 7.5–8.3 sec |
| Boot space | 27.2 cubic feet (59.8 with seats folded) |
| Ground clearance | 8.1in standard, 8.6in on Trailhawk |
Full Review Summary
Autoblog
Autoblog rated standard all-wheel drive and genuine off-road ability, especially on the Trail Rated Trailhawk trim, as the car's clearest remaining advantage over crossover-style rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. They found the interior showing its age after nine years on sale, though praised one of the better multimedia setups in the class, and noted cargo space trails Japanese rivals meaningfully. Performance was rated adequate rather than exciting, with a 7.5-8.3 second 0-60mph time depending on trim, aided by a smooth eight-speed automatic.
U.S. News / Consumer Reports comparison data
Consumer Reports' reliability data rated the Subaru Forester's reliability 17 points higher than the Compass, with Jeep ranking 24th overall against Subaru's 2nd place finish. J.D. Power's long-term dependability survey found Jeep owners reporting 63 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years than Subaru owners. Resale value comparisons found the Compass retaining meaningfully less of its original value after five years than the Forester.
🎬 Watch: Jeep Compass Trailhawk review (same video, watch above ↗)
Trims & Engines at a Glance
Every current Compass shares the same engine and gearbox — the trim you pick changes equipment and off-road hardware, not power.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–60mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compass Latitude | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, AWD | 200bhp | 8-speed automatic | SUV | 7.5s–8.3s |
| Compass Limited | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, AWD | 200bhp | 8-speed automatic | SUV | 7.5s–8.3s |
| Compass Trailhawk | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, AWD | 200bhp | 8-speed automatic | SUV | 7.5s–8.3s |
Trim walk runs Latitude → Limited → Trailhawk, with Altitude appearance packages available on the Latitude and Limited. Only the Trailhawk gets the Trail Rated badge, a low-range crawl mode and extra ground clearance. A range of exterior colours is offered, including two-tone paint on the Trailhawk. Check current Jeep pricing for details.
Strengths
- Genuine off-road capability, especially on Trailhawk trim
- Standard all-wheel drive across the range
- One of the better infotainment systems in the class
- Surprisingly good real-world fuel economy
Weak points
- Interior design and materials feel dated
- Below-average reliability survey results versus key rivals
- Cargo space trails Japanese and Korean competitors
- Weaker resale value than the Subaru Forester
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who genuinely value off-road capability and Jeep character over cabin polish or the strongest reliability record in the class. If dependability and resale value matter most, the Subaru Forester is worth cross-shopping directly first.
More Jeep Reviews
Watch the Reviews
Jeep Compass review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)