Jeep Compass 2023 review: A small Jeep with outstanding muscle (and a reasonable price)
Advantage: Powerful standard motor; great infotainment technology; countless devices available; standard four-wheel drive
Defect: Expensive compared to its competitors; limited interior space; no hybrid option
It’s hard to book Jeep Compass 2023 into a neat silo with other small SUVs. It has an interior space comparable to those of the we call it midsize SUV. It now comes standard with a most capable engine in its class and is comparable to the engine upgrades offered by a select few in the range. compact SUV segment on. Its base price is similar to that of a compact camera, but with options, it’s possible to outstrip them by a lot. Ditto Ford Bronco Sportsthat is probably Compass‘ closest competitor in terrain size and visuals (and terrain capabilities for some trim levels).
This pricing issue is complicated, because unless you really appreciate its powerful and refined new engine, and to a lesser extent its superb in-car technology, it makes the Compass hard to recommend. ONE Wild Subaru Forester or one of these TOYOTA RAV4Our all-terrain vehicles will deliver comparable capabilities, but with much more space and a lower price (though admittedly less power). Is there any number of other midsize and compact SUVs that offer stronger overall value if off-roading isn’t a priority either. One of our favorites, Sports Bronco, are similarly dubious values, and the Compass certainly has the edge in terms of standard interior quality, technology and power. Still, Fordbaby Bronco is fresher face and, again, it’s usually cheaper.
Furniture & technology | Passenger & cargo space | Performance & fuel economy
How to drive? | Price & level of decoration | Crash ratings & safety features
What’s new for 2023?
After an interior overhaul last year, the Compass received an ever more significant facelift under the hood for 2023. The only engine option goes from a 2.4-liter inline four. naturally aspirated slow, unrefined into the much smoother and quieter 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. It’s more muscular, with 23 more horsepower and 49 pound-feet of torque, and more efficient with a combined 2 mpg net gain. Better still, the same unmodified nine-speed automatic has been brought to the curb to replace the much superior eight-speed automatic despite the loss of gear. All-wheel drive is now standard on all trim levels too, eliminating an extra front-wheel drive. Jeep car from existence. Outside of the powertrain, the Compass 2023 features standard drowsy driver detection, rear-seat reminders, and security alarms.
How are Compass’s in-car interiors and tech?
After a redesign last year, the Compass interior is much more competitive in terms of material quality and overall design. There’s still some hard plastic on the bottom of the dashboard and center console, but that’s to be expected for the two segments the Compass sits on (see below). Soft-touch fabric or simulated leather on the dashboard helps create a lasting connection, and while it’s not unique in its class, it does help deliver a premium atmosphere befitting a small SUV. at a surprisingly premium price.
Along with that, every trim level of the Compass comes with an all-digital instrument panel and standard 10.1-inch touchscreen running the latest Uconnect 5 user interface. It’s one of our things favorite infotainment system. It looks great, with Colorful, high definition graphics and even better, it’s one of the easiest to use interfaces. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
How big is the compass?
While the Compass may be overpriced in the small SUV segment (think TOYOTA RAV4 And Subaru Forester), its size is comparable to what we call the midcompact segment (Honda HR-WORLD, Ford Bronco Sports). It has less cargo space than those midcompacts. In our luggage test, we couldn’t fit our standard set of six suitcases – they fit easily into the Bronco Sport and all compacts.
The rear seats are much smaller than the rear seats RAV4, forester, etc., but on par with the segment below. With taller front occupants, rear occupants inevitably get squashed, and it can be difficult to install a rear-facing child seat without jamming the front passenger seat into the dashboard. The compass is also significantly narrower than all of the above, making it a challenge to pass three people in the back. Finally, rear headroom is compromised with the available panoramic sunroof.
What are Compass’s fuel economy and performance specs?
Every Compass comes with the same powertrain and drivetrain. The 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine produces 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, significantly more than the standard engines of SUVs that cost and/or similar size. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard along with Jeep’s “Active Drive 4×4” system, which is basically what every other brand would call all-wheel drive because it automatically engages the axles. after the slip occurs. The rear axle can be kept active by pressing the 4×4 Lock button (one of the few small SUVs, crossovers to offer this feature) and the special Compass Trailhawk offers an Active Drive Low function that provides a 20:1 ratio data collection rate.
Fuel economy is 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg combined. This is lower than most competitors’ base powertrains, but on par with their engine upgrades or off-road trim levels. Trailhawk is said to have the same energy saving estimates, but we suspect its real-world performance will be the same considering the all-terrain tires and less aerodynamic front end.
How does the compass like to drive?
What a difference a year makes. Over two generations and nearly two decades, jeep compass suffered from a slow, unrefined powertrain that made it really hard to recommend. For 2023, that’s going to change dramatically thanks to the new turbocharged engine that is not only more powerful and refined than the old shaggy engine block it replaces, but also one of the most muscular in its class. number of small SUVs. When driving around town or riding on the highway, it has no shortage of grunts. The eight-speed automatic also does its job quite intelligently, which is well worth considering when so many competitors feature a drone CVT transmission.
Despite Jeep’s badge and reputation, the Compass handles smart on the road. We were pleasantly surprised by its composure on a winding road with lots of bends in between and found its steering to be relatively precise. The ride is definitely on the firmer side than most of the competition, with noticeably less compression helping you get through bumps. The Trailhawk’s all-terrain tires also add more rigidity, plus more noise and lower traction.
What other Jeep Compass reviews can I read?
2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk Driver’s Notes Review
Our editors took turns using the Compass Trailhawk as this generation came out. We enjoyed its unique personality, but were obsessed with the interior and weak engine. Both of these things have changed, so the main focus here should be on the trim of the Trailhawk and its effects on ride, handling and noise, which should generally be considered the same. together.
2017 Jeep Compass First Drive
The current generation compass dates from 2017, making it one of the oldest small compasses cross. Again, the interior and powertrain updates over the past few years have resulted in major changes, but the basic car remains the same.
What is the price of Compass in 2023?
The Jeep Compass starts at about the same price as the Ford Bronco Sport and a variety of larger, but less powerful compact SUVs, but the higher trim levels greatly outshine the competition – right away. even when they are optional. A fully loaded Ford Bronco Sport Badlands costs around $43,000. A loaded Compass Trailhawk we tested costs more than $47,000.
Despite the interesting names, the decorations below basically represent a gradual increase in equipment. The Altitude and High Altitude offer a different style to the Latitude and Limited respectively (specifically, a two-tone color scheme option), while the special edition (RED) has red painted mirror caps, body panels and badges. , along with 19 inch wheels. Trailhawk is the only one with significant mechanical upgrades: 4×4 low mode with 20:1 crawl ratio, 1-inch lift, skid plates, all-terrain tires, red color drag hook and control downhill. It also has a unique styling, including a reshaped and raised front panel that improves the angle of approach.
Keep in mind that all trim levels below include all-wheel drive as standard (unlike many competitors), and all prices include a $1,595 destination fee.
Sports: $31,590
Latitude: $34.385
Latitude Lux: $35,785
Altitude: $36,180
Limit: $37,090
Trailhawk: $37,835 (bottom right)
(RED): $39.530
Altitude: $40,430 (lower left)
What are Compass’s safety ratings and driver assistance features?
All Compass includes standard equipment forward collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection and automatic emergency brake, lane keeping assist, blind spot and rear cross traffic alert, driver drowsiness detection and rear seat reminders. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go is standard on the four trim levels listed above and is part of the optional Driver Assistance group offered on Latitude versions.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Compass 4 out of 5 stars for overall and frontal crash resistance, along with 5 stars for side crash resistance. It only got a three-star travel score, one star below the norm for a small crossover. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, it scored the second-highest for stopping a vehicle from hitting a pedestrian, and its headlights received various scores depending on trim. (no bad points). However, the IIHS gave the child seat LATCH anchors the second-worst rating in Marginal for ease of use.
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