Jeep Compass: In today’s saturated compact SUV market, where vehicles are left and right jostling for attention, the Jeep Compass somehow establishes its own little universe.
It’s a balance of city-friendly size and off-road capability—rare for its kind—yet it’s easy to understand how its driver might take one look and fall in complete love.
A Heritage of Adventure
The new Golden Compass has the historical Jeep lineage and works for today. Stylized after a rugged Jeep seven-slat design from the front bumper to the roof, the 2020 Renegade doesn’t appear overtly rugged in spite of its boxy shape, revealing its Jeep roots.
The style has evolved over the past number of years, increasing its more nuanced elements while never betraying the spirit of the brand.
For city-dwellers who want out into the wilderness every now and then, the Compass makes an appealing claim: small enough to canvass the city on a daily basis while offering weekend-warrior capabilities that are superior to most other vehicles in its class.
On-Road Behavior
In daily driving, the Compass provides a comfortable ride that deftly soaks up most bumps without fuss.
The cabin stays relatively quiet at highway speeds, although it’s not as undisturbed as in a few Japanese and Korean rivals.
Performance from the base four-cylinder engine is hardly exhilarating, yet acceptable in most cases.
The nine-speed automatic transmission in higher trims has been since improved over the years, though lost of the time there’s still a bit of hesitation when finding the gear you need in quick acceleration situations.
Standard fuel mileage is in line with other competitors and ranges between 22-31 mpg, depending on your drivetrain and road conditions.
This slots it in the middle of the compact SUV pack — not great but also not bad.
Venturing Beyond Pavement
Where the Compass really cuts its teeth, of course, is when you leave the road behind. The Trailhawk trim in particular is imbued with real off-road character not generally found in this class.
The higher ground clearance, included protective skid plates, unique traction modes and Jeep’s competent 4×4 system can confidently handle light to moderate trails.
Even the run-of-the-mill all-wheel-drive models will give you peace of mind in bad weather and mild forays off the pavement.
The Selec-Terrain system enables you to dial in a performance to match slippery surfaces like snow, sand or mud.
Living With the Compass
Recent model years have brought a lot more quality and tech to the interior of the RAV4. The infotainment system is based on a smartphone-friendly touchscreen with simple menus.
Optional digital instrument clusters and premium audio choices provide upmarket feel to the upper trims.
There is no shortage of space either - front passengers have plenty of room to sit comfortably, while rear occupants should be satisfied, if not equally as comfortable as those up front.
Luggage space is generous if not class-leading, and can handle whatever your weekend or the grocery store throws at it. Handy storage compartments around the cabin make for increased everyday practicality.
Safety equipment has increased significantly, with many of the latest driver assistance systems — such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring — now available across most of the range.
Strengths and Limitations
Pros:
True off-road prowess few others can match
Stand out look with many Jeep specific design elements in a parking lot
Ease of use of the technology interface
Comfortable seating position in the front, and good visibility.
Optional all-weather 4×4 systems with the real ability to tackle tough conditions
Good amount of towing capacity for the class.
Cons:
Mediocre acceleration and fuel economy
Intermittent refinement of passages upon transmission
Starting price is more than some rivals
Less rear-seat and cargo space than some rivals
Lower trims get less premium feeling materials inside
There’s been some inconsistency in past reliability numbers
Jeep Compass: The Verdict
The Jeep Compass occupies an interesting space in the compact SUV world. It speaks to buyers who want more adventure capability than most crossovers offer, but don’t want to move into larger, thirstier models.
A mix of the daily-grind normality, standout styling, and true capability make it a strong proposition for the right buyer.
Those who value maximizing space, leading-edge fuel economy, or a high-horsepower engine might be better served elsewhere.
But for drivers who crave versatility and occasional trail capability in a package that’s inflected with style and character of an iconic brand, the new -generation trucklet points in a promising direction.
As city life pushes more and more people to crave outdoor escapes, the Compass provides that needed link to adventure — even if many owners won’t ever test its limits.
Sometimes it’s as simple as knowing you have the potential to take that impromptu drive down a forest road that can make all the difference in how you experience your daily commute.