Jeep Compass Review

Like Land Rover, Jeep first made its name with tough, go-anywhere vehicles that were rugged, rough and ready.

It has continued building cars in the same vein, even though the most popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs) nowadays tend towards comfort and convenience rather than off-road capability.

The Jeep Compass is an attempt to combine both these two traits. It’s a family-sized SUV with similar dimensions to the Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan and Peugeot 3008 with enough space for a pair of average-size adults to get comfortable in the back, while three will fit without too much of a squeeze. The 438-litre boot has more space than you’ll find in the Qashqai, but much less than the Tiguan and 3008.

The interior is modern, with anything from an 8.4-inch to a 10.1-inch touchscreen on the dashboard, featuring Jeep's Uconnect system for connecting to your mobile phone. Air conditioning is standard across the range, as is cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and a leather steering wheel. But there’s also the option for full four-wheel-drive and clever traction technology that can deal with an array of slippery situations, maintaining Jeep’s historic reputation.

Shoud you opt for the four-wheel-drive option, which includes 'Selec-Terrain' technology that boosts off-road performance further with five different driving modes for tackling all kinds of conditions. A dial in the centre console can be set to a variety of surfaces, including snow, sand and mud, and will adjust the onboard electronics to tackle some of the harshest environments.

Real off-road enthusiasts should opt for a top-spec Trailhawk model, which will add features including more rugged bodywork, a low ratio gearbox for hauling up steep hills, and a bespoke 'rock crawl' mode.

All of this will keep the Compass forging its way off-road, long after a Qashqai, Renault Kadjar or Ford Kuga - even one fitted with four-wheel drive - has reached its limit.

But most buyers will be more concerned about the gullies and gorges across Britain’s tarmac roads. And it’s clear that the Compass has been tested in Europe, because it offers a comfortable and fairly smooth ride across our scarred road surfaces, as long as you avoid the largest 18-inch alloy wheels which firm up the ride somewhat.

The Compass compares well to the competition in this respect, but it does show its weakness on the more twisty roads, where there is some noticeable lean at speed. The steering can also feel vague during these times, making it more difficult to drive smoothly and accurately. Most of the alternatives in this sector are more stable, with more precise steering.

Many are also cheaper too. The price for a new Compass has crept from just under £23,000 to more than £30,000, which only buys you a two-wheel drive model, without the off-road ability of more expensive cars. That’s enough for a mid-range Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar or Skoda Karoq. A similar price will also buy a Peugeot 3008 or Volkswagen Tiguan, both of which have higher-quality interiors.

The Compass does come with a good level of standard equipment, though. Safety is a strong point for the car, which achieved the top five-star safety rating after crash tests carried out by the independent Euro NCAP organisation.

Key facts

Warranty	3 years / 60,000 miles
Boot size	438 litres
Width	1820mm
Length	4420mm
Height	1650mm
Tax	From £160 to £500 in first year, £140 thereafter

Best Jeep Compass for...

Best for Economy – Jeep Compass Sport 1.6 MultiJet II 120hp 4x2

The entry-level model comes well equipped and fitted with the lower powered diesel engine. What it lacks in performance it will make up for with fuel economy and low running costs.

Best for Families – Jeep Compass Limited 1.4 MultiAir II 140hp 4x2

Limited trim level adds a healthy dose of interior extras, such as a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen and navigation, while the punchy petrol is both quiet and smooth compared to the diesel offerings.

Best for Performance – Jeep Compass Trailhawk 2.0 MultiJet II 170hp 4x4 Auto9 LOW

With a low range gearbox, extra off-road mode and plenty of additional protective elements, this vehicle is as rugged as it looks, offering excellent off-road performance.

One to Avoid – Jeep Compass Limited 2.0 MultiJet II 170hp 4x4 Auto9

This vehicle costs almost £35,000 but the diesel engine isn't particularly quiet, the auto gearbox is a bit slow and the interior lacks the finesse of its similarly priced rivals.

History

Understanding Jeep Compass names

Trim level Limited

There are currently three trim levels available in the UK, with a fourth Trailhawk model coming later in 2018. Each level brings more features and a higher price tag, from the entry-level Sport to Longitude and then Limited.

Engine 1.6 MultiJet II 120hp

The engine range includes both petrol and diesel variants. The former is badged MultiAir II, while diesel models are badged MultiJet II. The size is given in litres (here it's 1.6). Larger engines are generally more powerful but you'll often see the engine's horsepower displayed as well.

Driven wheels 4x2

Cheaper versions of the car send power from the engine to the front two wheels only. These may be shown as 4x2. Cars badged 4x4 have four-wheel drive for greater grip while accelerating and off road.

Gearbox Auto9

Automatic versions of the Compass are badged Auto9 because it has nine gears. Trailhawk cars are sometimes shown as Auto9 LOW because there is a low range set of gears, which deliver extra pulling power to the wheels for better off-road performance.

Jeep Compass Engines

Jeep Compass Trims