Item: 2016 Jeep Compass
Author: Justin Cupler

Overview

One of four compact crossovers available from Jeep, the Compass distinguishes itself with a bargain price and the ability to leave the road when the mood strikes. If that sounds good to you, don't wait too long to visit the dealership. After a brief run of 2016 models, the Compass will be replaced by an all-new model.

What's New for 2016

The Compass sees little change for its final year in the lineup.

Choosing Your Jeep Compass

The Compass starts out with a 2-liter four cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and your choice of five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Certain models carry a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). A 172-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder is available on most front-drive version and is mandatory with all-wheel drive.

There are two such systems that can go into any Compass model. Freedom Drive I is an all-wheel drive setup designed for on-road use—it's similar to what you would find on other passenger-oriented crossovers. Freedom Drive II provides genuine off-road prowess thanks to a host of extra equipment: all-terrain tires, skid plates, hill start and descent assist, and a specially tuned CVT with crawl control.

The five trim levels differ mainly in comfort and convenience features:

CarsDirect Tip

The Compass is very competitively priced across all trim levels, so you can get some nice features on the high end that might otherwise be out of reach. We like that the Freedom Drive packages are optional on all models, which means you can choose where to concentrate your options budget: on comfort and convenience or off-road performance.

Get your price on a Jeep Compass »

Read our review on the Jeep Compass »

John Diether

Automotive Editor - August 28, 2015

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Expert Review

Expert Rating

Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Justin Cupler

Automotive Editor - October 06, 2015

The Jeep Compass debuted as an ungainly box back in 2007, but received a pleasant redesign in 2011 that drew a lot of inspiration from the Grand Cherokee. Now, five years later, the Compass seems to be holding on by a thread, rendered nearly obsolete by newer Jeep models.

Pricing and Equipment

With its Sport trim level starting at just $21,395, the Jeep Compass is priced low enough to compete with others in the compact crossover segment. What's more, the standard features in the 2016 Compass are fairly generous. They include:

Air conditioning
Power windows and door locks
Keyless entry
Fog lights
Uconnect hands-free calling

If you want more standard equipment, you can move up to the Latitude trim level.

Performance Pros

There isn't much to like about the Compass's performance, but steering is well-weighted and ride quality is good for a vehicle with such a short wheelbase. We also appreciate the unusual ability to pair a manual transmission with a four-wheel drive system in a small crossover.

Performance Cons

Although the Compass looks almost like a smaller-scale version of the Grand Cherokee, it performs nothing like it.

Neither engine is impressive, and output maxes out at 172 horsepower
The Trail Rated badge comes only with the uninspiring continuously variable transmission (CVT)
An EPA rating of 23 mpg city isn't up to small crossover standards

Interior Pros

Its cabin has long been the Compass's strong point. No, not because it is luxurious, but rather because of its simplicity and functionality paired with refined materials. It can also get pretty feature-packed in higher trim levels.

Interior Cons

Despite this, the seating position and dash design still feel dated -- especially when compared to many other Chrysler models we've tested recently.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

We think the Compass is very well equipped at higher trim levels, and this premium feel is amplified by the relatively quiet ride of the small crossover.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The inability of the Compass to act like a Jeep is a huge letdown. It lacks the power and torque needed to tackle any significant off-road driving, plus it can tow just 2,000 pounds even with the Trailer Tow Prep Group option.

The Bottom Line

With the looks of a downsized Grand Cherokee for buyers on a budget, the Compass fills a narrow niche for buyers who don't mind that the similarities are only skin-deep.

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Not Available

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

Standard: 2.0L I-4 / 158 HP / 141 ft.lbs.

Available: 2.4L I-4 / 172 HP / 165 ft.lbs.

Transmission

Standard: 5-spd man w/OD

Available: 2-spd CVT w/OD6-spd auto w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

23 / 30 / 26 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	Standard: 2.0L I-4 / 158 HP / 141 ft.lbs. Available: 2.4L I-4 / 172 HP / 165 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	23 / 30 / 26 Mpg
Brakes	Front Disc/rear Drum
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Steel
Fuel Tank	13.6 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$52

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	53.6 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	101 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	175.1 "
Exterior Width	71.4 "
Exterior Height	65.0 "
Front Headroom	40.7 " / 39.9 "
Rear Headroom	39.9 "
Front Legroom	40.6 "
Rear Legroom	39.4 "
Front Shoulder Room	54.6 "
Rear Shoulder Room	54.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	3,107 Lbs. / 3,118 Lbs. / 3,181 Lbs.
Wheel Base	104 "
Turning Radius	17.8 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	16.0 " Painted Aluminum / 17.0 " Painted Aluminum / 18.0 " Painted Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Badging / Pearlcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Manual / Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers	Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Body-colored W/chrome Accents / Colored
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Cloth / Cloth/vinyl / Cloth/leather / Mopar Katzkin Leather
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats	Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Armrests	4-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats	60-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock / Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers	4
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof	Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror	Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Driver
Tinted Windows	Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	1

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Sentry Key

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months	60 Months / 100,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2016 Jeep Compass for Sale

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