Introduction

The 2007 Jeep Compass is all new, a term usually meaning that a vehicle has been completely redesigned. But in the case of the Compass, it's a completely new vehicle: first generation. One way to measure the value of the Compass might be to compare it to the trusty Jeep Cherokee that was enormously popular for 18 years and finally ended its run in 2001. The Compass is slightly bigger and light years better than the Cherokee was 10 years ago. The new Compass costs about $1000 less, in today's dollars. When you consider inflation (28 percent by the Consumer Price Index), that number blows up to more than $6000 cheaper. The Compass is built on a front-wheel-drive, car-based platform (called the GS, a modified version of a platform that supports the Mitsubishi Lancer). The Compass comes with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Jeep Compass uses DaimlerChrysler's 2.4-liter, four-cylinder World Engine, developed jointly for 21st century efficiency with Mitsubishi and Hyundai. It's a solid, sophisticated, 16-valve engine, quieter and stronger than a four-banger was believed capable of being, 10 years ago. It features electronic variable valve timing that continually changes the torque curve, bringing more versatility to the 165 peak pound-feet of torque, and more capability to the 172 peak horsepower. Emphasis during development of this engine was on fuel mileage; even carrying 3326 pounds, the Compass 4WD with a five-speed manual transmission delivers 25 city and 29 highway miles per gallon, estimated by Jeep. The Jeep Compass offers a Continuously Variable Transaxle, which performs like an automatic transmission, and it's a doozy. The CVT is optional with the Compass Sport model, and standard on the Limited, where Autostick can be added to the CVT. Autostick enables the driver to shift up and down over six steps, making it feel like a six-speed gearbox without a clutch pedal. The combination of CVT with six-speed Autostick is the best of both worlds, and works more precisely than the manual/automatic transmissions in many expensive sports sedans. The safety, ride and handling of the Compass are all excellent, with a strong steel structure and well-planned subframe. Side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control with anti-rollover sensors are standard. Although, in order to keep the advertised MSRP down, air conditioning and power windows and locks are optional. The styling is similar but sleeker than Jeep's other small SUV, the Liberty, which uses a six-cylinder engine. There's good interior space all around, with rear seats that fold flat to make about 54 cubic feet of cargo space. Options for added versatility include reclining rear seats and a passenger front seat that also folds flat, creating either a table or eight-foot-long space for storage.

Walkaround

Many won't be able to tell the Compass from a Liberty because the styling is so similar, especially in front with the classic Jeep grille having seven vertical slots, but the differences are clear. The Compass looks more like a crossover SUV, especially from the sculpted side, with smoothly angular flares over the wheels, as opposed to the plastic cladding on most Liberty models. The rear door handles are vertical, mounted on the C-pillars to preserve the character line. The liftgate on the Compass is sloped at nearly a 45-degree angle while the Liberty's is vertical; and the third side window, into the cargo area, is a stylized triangle (leaving more sheetmetal and reducing visibility) while the Liberty's window is, again, squared. That slope at the rear of the Compass is matched by the steeply raked windshield, leading up to a roof that's six inches lower than the Liberty's. Black plastic roofrails continue from the top corners of the windshield all the way to the spoiler over the liftgate, channeling water over the roof. The Compass is one inch closer to the ground than the Liberty. The more car-like styling and relative sleekness make the Compass look longer than the Liberty, but it's actually one inch shorter. The Compass Limited has aluminum-looking trim on the sides and bumpers. The less-costly Sport looks classier in its cleaner monotone. The optional 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels on the Limited will appeal to those who want their Jeep SUV to look more like a Cadillac Escalade.

Interior Features

The Jeep Compass cabin is roomy and comfortable. The front bucket seats are very comfortable without being soft. The cloth seats that come in the Sport use a rugged fabric that's smooth and stain repellant. The front seat jacks upward, which is nice because the long dash makes it hard to see the ground in front of the car, even though the hood is short. The long dash is a result of the sloped windshield. The cabin layout is functional and roomy. It isn't very exciting to look at, trimmed in a lot of two-tone vinyl (boring in beige but better in gray), but what mostly matters is room for your stuff, including your elbows and legs. The front door pockets are short but deep enough to get your hand in, at least. They're short to make room for big stereo speakers in the doors. The gauges are clean and pleasant, white on black with a symmetrical layout against a simple silver background. The four-spoke steering wheel is solid to grip. The center stack is wide and intelligent: rectangular vents on top, over the one-disc AM/FM/CD, over a slot that might hold a paperback book. Below that are three climate control knobs, some buttons and then the shift lever at the driver's right knee. Both the automatic and manual transaxle levers are mounted in this practical high forward position, introduced by Honda after being copied from rally racing cars, where ergonomics matter. Moving rearward between the front seats, there are two fixed cupholders, the emergency brake handle, and a flip-up center console containing a slot for a cellphone or MP3 player. The console top is an armrest, and can be slid three inches to accommodate drivers of different sizes. Legroom is good, both front and rear: 39.4 inches in the rear. The Compass will be a fine vehicle for a family trip, with reclining rear seats, optional on Sport and standard on Limited. There are cupholders in the rear but no net pockets on the front seatbacks, which would be nice. Grab handles make it easy to climb out. The rear 60/40 seats fold flat with the touch of a finger on each side, as easy as it gets. The front seat on the Limited model folds flat, making a table. The rear cargo area, a decent 53.6 cubic feeet with the rear seats folded, is covered by a rugged vinyl mat that's removable for washing. The space-saver spare tire is neatly stored under the mat. One innovative feature on the Limited is the removable rechargable LED flashlight mounted in the headliner above the cargo area. The one-piece liftgate has panels for structural integrity, and the rear bumper has a non-skid rubber surface for stepping onto.