2018 Jeep Compass Road Test and Review

The Jeep Compass was fully redesigned for 2017 and carries over for the 2018 model. Do not think of today’s Compass as simply an updated version of the last generation. This is an entirely new vehicle that just borrowed the existing Compass nameplate. That’s a good thing, because the old Compass was, well, not the best Jeep you could buy.

This new Compass slots between the larger Cherokee and smaller Renegade to capitalize on the popularity of crossovers. If the Cherokee is a little more than you need both in size and in price, yet the quirky Renegade is a bit on the small side, then the Compass might be your just right Jeep. Let’s take a closer look.

There are five Jeep Compass trim levels, including the limited-edition Altitude. Each is available with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive for an additional $1,500, except for the four-wheel-drive-only Trailhawk. The base Sport starts at $20,995 with a minimum of features, while the Latitude adds ambient LED interior lights, illuminated visor mirrors, and vinyl trimmed seats. The limited-edition Altitude is priced from $25,490 with unique black finishes including a gloss black roof and 18-inch wheels.

The Trailhawk and Limited sit at the top of the range with two very different personalities. If you want the most off-road-worthy Compass with extended Selec-Terrain drive modes, an off-road suspension, skid plates, and snazzy red tow hooks, then the Trailhawk at $28,695 is for you. If you’re less into off-roading and more into luxury, then go for the Limited with embossed leather seats, piano black accents, and chrome roof rails at $27,595.

Every 2018 Compass comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with either a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, or a nine-speed automatic transmission, depending on the trim level and whether you select the front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. This engine is capable enough, but it can feel underpowered under hard acceleration. Merging into highway traffic isn’t easy during rush hour, and if you need extra speed for highway passing, then you’ll likely find this engine lacking.

Despite those complaints, the Compass is still a pleasant little crossover to pilot down the road, with plenty of power for handling city traffic or winding country roads. Keep in mind that the Jeep brand isn’t about building performance vehicles, at least unless you’re looking at the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Rather, this is a capable crossover that will haul you and your stuff while making sure you don’t get stuck when the weather turns.

The first vehicle that comes to mind when you think Jeep is probably the Wrangler. It’s also likely covered in mud and quite happy about that situation. It’s part of what makes a Jeep a Jeep. These aren’t elegant vehicles designed solely for paved roads. Jeep builds capable, off-road worthy machines, and the Compass is no exception. A choice of front-wheel or four-wheel drive is offered across the lineup, except for the Trailhawk, which is only a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Standard Selec-Terrain on four-wheel drive models includes auto, snow, sand, and mud modes, while the Trailhawk adds a rock mode with hill-descent control. Although any Compass can handle winter weather and off-roading, the "Trail Rated" Trailhawk — with a 1-inch ride height increase, Jeep Active Drive Low mode, skid plates, and two front and one rear tow hook — is the best choice for off-roaders.

The ride in the Compass is smooth, especially considering this is a vehicle that prides itself on its off-road capabilities. Such a focus can result in a suspension so stiff it’s jarring when you hit a bump or pothole, but the Compass keeps its composure with a smooth ride on paved roads. Even the off-road suspension in the Trailhawk trim manages to provide a comfortable highway ride.

It also handles well, with minimal bounce and sway and controlled steering that requires minimal driver input. This makes for a relaxing ride. Shorter drives will find the Compass an exceptional choice due to its shorter hood and high ride height. This is also a bonus if you do go off road because it’s much easier to see just how close you’re cutting it when there are trees and rocks lining the way.

Although Jeep is focused on providing capable vehicles, it appreciates the fact that people like to be comfortable, too. While the base Compass Sport has a fairly utilitarian interior, it’s still comfortable and attractive with pricing that makes it budget-friendly. As you move up the trim range, you get features like power-adjustable seats, a larger infotainment screen, and leather seating trims that make the Compass more luxurious. The Trailhawk and Limited have quite upscale interiors.

Seating is supportive and very roomy up front, with plenty of head and legroom and good adjustability. Even taller riders will find enough space for their knees. The rear seats three adults, but it can be a tight fit. More than two adults are workable only for shorter drives. And if the front seats are pushed back, rear legroom quickly disappears.

The Compass is a compact crossover, so it doesn’t have the cavernous capacity of full-size SUVs. That’s the trade-off when you go with a smaller vehicle, but on the flip side, there’s the lower price and the ease with which you can drive the Compass through narrow city streets — not something that’s fun in a big SUV. There’s 27.2 cubic feet behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet behind the front seats with the rear seat folded.

An optional power liftgate makes loading cargo easier, and all but the Sport has standard roof rails for even more cargo capacity. In case there’s not enough room inside, the Compass can tow up to 2,000 pounds, but this isn’t recommended for front-wheel drive models. If your needs often switch between people and cargo or some combination of the two, the Compass is happy to oblige.

Infotainment systems continue to get better with new features, larger screens, and more intuitive layouts, and the Uconnect system in the Compass is no exception. We’ve always been a fan of Uconnect, considering it one of the most intuitive systems available. It’s easy to find the selection you want, which keeps you from getting frustrated and reduces distraction. Additionally, the steering-wheel audio control buttons are perfectly located on the back of the wheel right where your fingers naturally rest, which reduces the temptation to take your hands off the wheel and fiddle with the screen.

The base Uconnect 3 system has only a 5-inch screen, which is on the small side. Uconnect 4 with either the 7-inch or 8.4-inch screen is much better, especially if you’re planning on using navigation. Along with the bigger screens, you also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Compass its highest ratings and named it a 2017 Top Safety Pick. It received a Good score in all crash tests and a Superior rating for its available front-crash prevention system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it an overall four out of five stars, including an individual four-star rating for frontal crash protection and only three stars for rollover risk. Those are somewhat mixed ratings, but overall the Compass did well in crash tests.

As is typical, the most advanced safety features are standard on higher trims and optional or unavailable on lower trims. These include blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, a full-speed forward-collision warning with automatic braking, a lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and rear park assist. The Compass has a wide range of available safety features and solid crash test ratings to set your mind at ease.

The Compass is a well-rounded crossover in the Jeep lineup. Nothing like its predecessor, this Compass has solid off-road chops, an updated design in keeping with the rest of Jeep’s offerings, and a good range of trims.

Its biggest drawback is an underpowered engine, but it isn’t trying to be a performance crossover. The Compass is about the flexibility to carry people or cargo and the capability to tackle bad weather or off-road adventures. Its smaller size makes it a better choice for those who live in urban areas with narrow, congested streets, and its price tag keeps it budget-friendly even in top trim levels. The 2018 Jeep Compass is a great choice for crossover buyers looking for a capable, affordable option.