2020 Jeep Compass

Compact SUVs have taken the market by a storm, owing to their practicality and low prices. For further price savings, subcompact SUVs were introduced, which offer almost all the same goodies as the compact SUVs but at an even lower price point. This is where we find the 2020 Jeep Compass. It is a pretty little car for a pretty little segment. 

Borrowing plenty of design cues from its elder sibling - The Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Compass looks like a dwarfed version of the same. However, it all works in favor of the Compass. With the Jeep-specific 7-slit grille and a typical SUV-like boxy silhouette, its brawny road presence makes it stand apart from the segment. With the prices going over $21k for the base Rear-wheel drive variant, the Jeep Compass pokes the territories of some serious contenders such as Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, Subaru Crosstrek, and a few others. Let's move ahead and find out if it can make a place for itself in this, otherwise, crowded segment.

There are 5 trim options with the 2020 Jeep Compass. The base “Sport” variant in the Front-wheel-drive guise is quite a cheap entry point into the lineup, although the subsequent trims are significantly expensive. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the 4x4 versions. However, the ones seeking extraordinary performance on the off-roading front are sure to be tempted by the Trailhawk variant. Not only does it possess impeccable "go-anywhere" traits, but it also stands apart from the lineup with some extra aesthetic upgrades.

Trim	Sport	Latitude	Altitude	Trailhawk	Limited
MSRP RWD	$21,595	$24,395	$26,265	-	$27,945
MSRP AWD	$23,095	$24,845	$28,945	$27,765	$29,445
Key Features	Rear Back-Up Camera	Adding on top of Sport	Adding on top of Latitude	Adding on top of Altitude	Adding on top of Altitude
	16-Inch Painted Tech Silver Aluminum Wheels	heated steering wheel	18-Inch Gloss Black Wheels	Ruby Red Tow Hooks	Heated Power Exterior Mirrors with Turn Signal Indicator
	Uconnect 4 with 7-Inch Touchscreen	Uconnect 4 with 7-inch reconfigurable Driver Information Digital Cluster Display	Gloss Black Exterior Accents	Active Drive Low 4x4 System	Uconnect 4 with 8.4-Inch Touchscreen Featuring Android Auto™ Integration and Apple CarPlay Support
	heated front seats	Piano Black Interior Accents	Leather-Trimmed Interior with Ruby Red Accents	Premium Heated Leather-Trimmed Front Seats
	windshield wiper de-icer	Gloss Black Roof	Two-Tone Gloss Black Roof
	Remote Vehicle Start
	Selec-Terrain Traction Management System (For 4x4 models only)

We Recommend

For budget off-road enthusiasts, the Trailhawk trim is currently the best compact SUV in the market. For tighter budgets though, the base "Sport" trim, paired with the AWD system, would suit just fine as it is loaded with a plethora of standard features such as a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heated front seats, remote vehicle start and a lot more. 

The Compass feels more agile than its tall, boxy profile would suggest, responding ably to inputs from the nicely weighted steering wheel.-Car and Driver

Jeep Compass, arguably, is a little too overpowered amongst similarly priced cars. For a starting price of $21,595, you get a 2.4 liter naturally aspirated inline 4 engine. Power and torque figures soar at 180 HP and 175 pound-foot, respectable but not worthy of an applause.

The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual by default. You can also opt for either a 6 speed or a 9-speed automatic gearbox, both of which take their own sweet time to change gears. The power is transferred to the wheels via a rugged all-wheel-drive system. You get an option of front-wheel drive on higher trims as well, which should have been the other way around according to industry standards.

Models	Jeep Compass	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
MSRP	$21,595	$20,520	$20,945	$19,500	$23,200	$20,390	$21,859	21,300	$20,945
Engine	2.4 Liter Inline 4	1.8 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Boxer-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4
Transmission	6-speed manual transmission (6 or 9-speed Automatic)	CVT	CVT	6-speed Manual (CVT optional)	6-speed automatic	CVT	6-speed Manual (CVT optional)	6-speed automatic	5-speed Manual (CVT optional)
Horsepower	180 hp @ 6400 rpm	141 hp @6500 rpm	144 hp @ 6100 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	138 hp @ 4900 rpm	148 hp @ 6000 rpm	152 hp @ 6000 rpm	138 hp @ 4900 rpm	148 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	175 lb.-ft @ 3900 rpm	127 lb. ft. @ 4300 rpm	139 lb. ft. @ 3900 rpm	132 lb. ft. @ 4500 rpm	148 lb. ft. @ 1850 rpm	146 lb. ft. @ 2800 rpm	145 lb. ft. @ 4000 rpm	148 lb.-ft. @1850 rpm	145 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm

Compared to the compass, the cars here are a segment below. Smaller with weaker engines, the other cars listed above are quite low on power and torque. They are also a little cheaper, with the biggest difference coming up to $4,000. Subaru Crosstrek comes the closest but falls 30 horses short against the Jeep.

Acceleration

Jeep Compass’s mildly powerful engine doesn’t perform too well. It gets the car rolling from a standstill to 60 MPH in a lazy 10 seconds. Quarter mile times haven’t been tested yet, but it is safe to say the Jeep won’t be setting any performance records.

The power surge is quite linear and the Compass takes some time before it gets going. There is also a considerable turbo lag that could get frustrating in traffic conditions while performing overtakes at low speeds. Also, the maximum power output comes at a higher rev-range and thus, adds to the lousy character of the Compass.

Models	Jeep Compass	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
0-60 MPH (sec)	10.0	9.3*	11.0	10.0	8.4	8.6	9.0	9.3	8.9
Quarter mile (sec)	N/A	16.8*	18.4	17.3	16.2	16.3	16.9	16.8	16.6
Engine	2.4 Liter Inline 4	1.8 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Boxer-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	6.3*	6.0	5.9	6.3	5.7	7.0	6.3	7.1

As for the competition, the best acceleration times come from the tiny turbocharged Buick Encore. It takes a blazing 8 seconds (sarcasm intended) for 0 to 60 MPH. Toyota CHR is the slowest by a long shot, taking 11 seconds for the same feat.

Ride and Handling

The Jeep is a relatively nimble car on its feet, much more than its bulk should allow. The steering is nicely weighted, although we wish it could express a bit more to the driver. The Compass is fast to respond to inputs, and hard cornering is sure to induce a fair amount of body roll. Ride quality is quite smooth and never gets unsettling, even when navigating through rough terrain.

When you talk about a Jeep, its off-road ability is one of the most discussed features. Even though the Compass is primarily a “soft-roader”, Jeep hasn’t gone completely soft. If you find yourself in a neighborhood devoid of tarmac roads, you would appreciate the off-roading capabilities of this Jeep. It has 8.2 inches of ground clearance, which is good enough for not being stranded over smaller rocks.

Braking

The Compass has a nervous brake pedal, ready to engage at the slightest touch. Don’t let the response fool you into thinking the brakes are strong. They aren’t very effective at shedding speed, mostly due to its off-roading nature. Opting for better road tires might help here.

Apart from its snatchy nature, there is also negligible travel from the brake pedal. You glance your foot over it and the SUV nose-dives. This phenomenon could get scary at spirited speeds and needs a little getting used to.

Model	Jeep Compass	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Brake Front (in.)	12	11.5	11.8	11.8	11.8	11	11.6	11.8	11.6
Brake Rear (in.)	11	11.1	11.1	9.0 (Drum)	10.6	11.1	10.8	9.0	11.9
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3327	2906	3300	2890	3237	2809	3113	2805	3,032
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Braking figures aren’t available at the moment, but keeping in previous years’ trends, the compact SUV segment isn’t too keen on decelerating. However, the Jeep is the heaviest of the lot surpassing the bulky Toyota C-HR. This could translate into a lousy braking performance, however, let's wait for the exact numbers before we plant our foot on a verdict.

The disappointment in performance can be justified by its efficiency figures. The Jeep offers great gas mileage, comparable to a similarly priced sedan. It runs for 22 miles within the city for a gallon, and 31 on the highway, which translates to great fuel savings. With less weight to lug around than a traditional SUV, compact SUVs manage much higher efficiency levels. The smaller engines on some of the cars listed here have even better mileage.

Model	Jeep Compass	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
MPG (city)	22	28	27	27	26	29	27	25	24
MPG (highway)	31	34	31	33	31	34	33	33	30
MPG (combined)	25	30	29	30	28	31	25	28	27

Mazda’s CX3 and Honda HRV seem to run only on fumes, proverbially speaking. The Jeep offers the least mileage within the city limits but come to the freeways, it overpowers its rivals by a wide margin. The rest of the competition is evenly matched and there is no picking out a winner here.

The Compass has a spacious interior with good head- and legroom in both rows, though the available sunroof cuts into rear-seat headroom. The seats are generally comfortable and supportive.-Cars.usnews

Seating and Comfort

The Jeep Compass's cabin has enough space for the driver and front passenger, but space in the back leaves much to be desired. Officially, you can seat 5 people inside. In reality, the car seems better suited for 2 adults and 3 teenagers. There aren’t many complaints though, as the target audience for this car is an average suburban family, which usually consists of only the above-mentioned demographic.

As you keep moving towards the top trims, the leatherette seating surfaces are replaced with real leather covers. The front seats, then, also feature heated functions and also enhance the comfort factor with their wide-adjustability traits. The top-trim also features a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. That said, the seats do a fine job of holding you in one place under a spirited driving style.  Also, spending hours on them won't bother you at all, thanks to the apt cushioning and tremendous thigh support.

Model	Jeep Compass	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (cu. ft) Headroom	39.2	39.5	38.1	39.6	39.6	38.4	39.8	39.6	39.4
Front (cu. ft) Shoulder room	56.7	56.8	49	55.5	54.2	53.5	56.7	54.1	56.2
Front (cu. ft) Legroom	41.8	41.2	43.5	41.5	40.8	41.7	43.1	40.8	41.6
Rear (cu. ft) Headroom	38.5	38.3	38.3	37.8	38.8	37.2	38	38.8	37.9
Rear (cu. ft) Shoulder room	55.1	54.5	52.5	54.5	52.5	50.4	55.6	52.8	55.5
Rear (cu. ft) Legroom	38.3	39.3	31.7	34.6	35.8	35	36.5	35.7	36.3

There isn’t much difference in terms of front cabin space among the competition. The rear space keeps varying though. However, the Honda HRV has the best balance of the two, which is comparable to, or even better than the Compass.

Infotainment System

The Compass Sport uses Jeep's trusted and familiar, Uconnect system, which is extremely intuitive and informative, with a standard 7-inch touch screen display. It is not as fancy as its rivals, however, it works in favor of the Jeep, as its utility-focused interface is much better and easier to get used to. Having said that, other standard features associated with the infotainment system include:

• USB Port
• Auxiliary Input
• Bluetooth
• Voice Controls
• A Six-Speaker Stereo
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Other than these, you get a few optional features as well, in case you want a little more character on the inside. However, keep in mind that each of these features cost extra that add on top of the MSRP of the car. The options are:

• An 8.4-Inch Touch Screen
• Satellite Radio
• Nine-speaker Beats Premium Sound System
• Subscription for Navigation System is available

Cargo volume

This little Jeep comes with plenty of trunk space, 27 cubic feet to be precise, that is good for all your family luggage rolled into 3 giant briefcases. If the need arises for more, you can double the cargo space by folding the rear seats down with just a twist of a knob. On the higher trims though, this knob gets replaced by a powered button.

The tailgate opens high and wide enabling easier loading/unloading. Also, the power-adjusted height lowering feature of the cargo floor on the Compass further adds an extra layer of convenience to its owners. There are also various nets and small hooks in the back that can be helpful in holding some precious elements in your luggage.

Oh, and let's also not forget that the more expensive - Trailhawk, also features bigger roof rails just in case the cargo space doesn't serve your purpose. In case you cannot stretch your budget up to the Trailhawk, then fret not as all the Compasses can tow up to 1,000 lbs behind them. There is a dedicated hook for this purpose on all the trims.

Model	Jeep Compass	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Cargo Volume with all seats upright(ft.3)	27.2	24.3	19	19.2	18.8	12.4	20.8	18.7	21.7
Cargo Volume with Rear seats folded (ft.3)	59.8	58.8	36.4	45.8	48.4	44.5	55.3	48.4	49.5

All the cars here come standard with foldable rear seats, which works great for additional cargo space. Not that they need it, as all daily hauls would easily fit in the trunk. The only exception is the Mazda CX3, which has a particularly small boot, poorer than most hatchbacks.

Interior Features

The Compass's dash has a neat and clean view with a large touchscreen system hugged by the equally large AC vents. The leather trim on the dash further escalates the oomph factor of the cabin and the heated steering wheel also adds to the same. That said, some of the key highlights of the Jeep's interior are:

• 8-way power-adjustable driver seat and 6-way manual adjustable front passenger seat
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped shift knob
• Height adjustable cargo loading floor
• Rearview auto-dimming mirror
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with cabin air filter
• Overhead console with reading lamps

 

The 2020 Jeep Compass has nice cabin materials and decent off-roading abilities, but its underpowered engine and cramped cargo hold help push it toward the bottom of our compact SUV rankings.-Cars.usnews

Design and Dimensions

The 2020 Jeep compass does the segment proud by sticking to the unspoken dimension constraints. It remains quite small, less than 15 feet in length. It is also quite light, well under 3 and a half thousand pounds. The tiny 103-inch wheelbase helps with city maneuvering but it comes at a cost of interior space. There is also a lot of empty space under the body, with 8.2 inches of ground clearance to be precise.

The 2020 model carries the same look as the 2017 Jeep Compass, with the same visual cues borrowed from the Grand Cherokee. It perfectly mimics the latter with its familiar 7-slit grille which ensures you do not get mistaken by a Jeep for any other car. Unlike most of its rivals, the 2020 Compass retains the classic traits of an SUV with its squared-off boxy silhouette. Further adding on to it, the big wheel arches also accentuate the rugged look of the SUV. All in all, the Compass is amongst the best looking SUVs pertaining to a commanding road presence with a high set hood and class-leading ground clearance.

Model	Jeep Compass	Honda HR-V	Toyota C-HR	Hyundai Kona	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3	Subaru Crosstrek	Chevrolet Trax	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Curb weight (lbs.)	3327	2906	3300	2890	3237	2809	3157	2805	3,032
Length(in)	173	170.4	171.2	164.0	168.4	168.3	175.8	167.2	171.9
Width(in)	73.8	69.8	70.7	70.9	70.1	69.6	71	69.9	71.3
Height(in)	64.6	63.2	61.6	61	65.2	60.7	63.6	64.9	64.8
Ground clearance (in)	8.2	5.4	5.9	6.7	6.2	6.1	8.7	6.2	8.5
Wheelbase (in)	103.8	102.8	103.9	102.4	100.6	101.2	104.9	100.6	105.1
Track width (in) F/R	60.7/60.3	60.4/60.6	60.6/60.6	62.0/62.4	60.62/60.62	60/59.5	61/61.2	60.6/60.6	60.6/60.6

Compact dimensions are a given with all the cars in this segment, which is also why none of the cars here will ever stand out in terms of dimensions. Subaru’s Crosstrek is minutely longer than the Compass, just 2 inches longitudinally. Apart from that, there aren’t any discernible differences between the two.

The 2020 Compass has been equipped with a stiffened chassis from before and its build quality gets even more evident with its crash-test results. With a "4-star" rating from the NHTSA, the Jeep Compass lines up head to head with its rivals in terms of build quality.

Apart from the rugged build-quality, the Compass also features a plethora of advanced safety features that further emphasize the better safety of its occupants. Some of the standard safety features offered with the 2020 Jeep Compass are:

• 4-Wheel Disc Anti-Lock Brakes
• Advanced Multistage Front Airbags
• All Speed Traction Control
• Center Rear 3-Point Seat Belt
• Driver Inflatable Knee-Bolster Airbag
• Electronic Roll Mitigation
• Electronic Stability Control
• Engine Immobilizer
• Front Passenger Seat Belt Alert
• Hill Descent Control
• Hill Start Assist
• LATCH Ready Child Seat Anchor System
• Motorized Pretensioning Seatbelts
• Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera
• Rain Brake Support
• Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Supplemental Side-Curtain Front and Rear Airbags
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Display

Jeep Compass vs Honda HR-V

Jeep Compass is a more expensive car than the HRV and has a little more premium interiors to justify the price difference. What it cannot justify, however, is the lack of space and performance. Honda HR-V is much cheaper and offers comparable features. The Jeep demands a surprising premium over the other cars here, but you won’t get much for that though. Jeeps are known for their ruggedness and off-road ability, and the Compass keeps up with that tradition. If the 3-grand difference between the base trims of the two is not a problem, the Jeep is worth your money.

Jeep Compass vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is quite a mature car. For off-roading capabilities, you can opt for either of the two. For additional practicality, however, you can choose the Outlander Sport. Japanese cars are reputed for being utterly reliable and practical, and Mitsubishi maintains that word. If only you had a better automatic! Jeep might not be the most practical daily driver, but it certainly is more exciting, especially the Trailhawk version. If fun is high on your to-do list, then you can stop looking past the Jeep.

Jeep Compass vs Buick Encore

In terms of pricing, Buick Encore is the closest competitor to the Jeep currently. Those are the few similarities they have, along with a relatively heavyweight for the class. The Buick Encore is a much easier car for the city, with slightly tighter dimensions and better performance, but also has a pricier entry point. Both are great mile munchers too. If you do not have any interest in getting off the tarmac, ever, then consider the Buick Encore.

You could look for better practicality in many other vehicles, but you would be losing out on the fun you can have in this one. The handling is a little weak on road, with plenty of body roll and slow performance, but take it to the broken trails, and this car comes alive. In essence, this is just a family car that can offer you cheap thrills off-road, and that is just marvelous. It also has a premium feel, which only makes the ownership experience better.

2020 Jeep Compass Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between the 2018 Compass and the 2020 Compass?

The 2020 Jeep Compass is just as same as the 2018 model apart from a revised feature-list and it also gets the Apple Carplay and Android Auto as standard.

Is the 2020 Jeep compass expensive to maintain?

On average, the total annual maintenance costs for a Jeep Compass amounts to $519. It is slightly more than the average cost of maintenance ($504) for the compact SUV segment.

Is the Jeep Compass bigger than a Jeep Cherokee?

No, actually it's the other way round. While both are compact SUVs, the Cherokee is 9.0 inches longer than the Compass and also offers 2.5 inches of extra wheelbase. The former is 1.6 inches taller than the Compass as well. For more information, head over to our specifications page for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee.

Does the Jeep compass come with a warranty?

Yes, the 2020 Jeep Compass is backed by a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. For more information on this front, head over to our features tab on top of this page.