History/Overview
The Jeep Compass dates back to 2007. That's when this storied SUV brand made a two-pronged foray into the compact crossover market with this vehicle and the mechanically similar Patriot. The first-generation Compass persisted for 10 years with various updates, and Jeep rolled out a second-gen model in 2018.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
Changes for 2020 are in trim. Sport trim adds two optional safety-oriented packages, while Limited, High Altitude and Trailhawk get the option of new upscale front seats. Also, 2019's Upland trim package is gone.
Available Trims
Jeep offers the Compass in Sport, North, Limited and Trailhawk trims. Altitude and High Altitude sub-trims are options on the North and Limited, respectively. All Compass trims use a 2.4L four-cylinder engine. Sport and North start with front-wheel drive with the option of four-wheel drive. Limited and Trailhawk are standard with 4WD. Sport FWD comes with a six-speed manual. Optional in Sport and standard in North FWD trims is a six-speed automatic. All 4x4 models get a nine-speed transmission.
Standard Features
Sport comes with 16-inch steel wheels, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, cruise control, cloth upholstery, six-way manual front seats, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, a six-speaker stereo, a 115-volt power outlet, tire pressure monitoring, air conditioning with dual-zone automatic temperature control, a 3.5-inch digital gauge cluster display, 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power windows and an electric parking brake.
North adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, satellite radio, LED ambient interior lighting, leather-trimmed steering wheel, upgraded upholstery, cornering fog lights and passive keyless entry. Altitude builds on the North model, adding 18-inch wheels, automatic on/off headlights and dual exhaust tips.
Trailhawk is an off-road package that builds on the North Altitude model with trim-specific suspension, tow hooks, off-road tires on 17-inch wheels, lighted cupholders, leather seating, 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster display, 8.4-inch infotainment display, underbody skid plates, rain-sensing wipers and hill descent control.
Compass Limited also builds on the North Altitude, adding a heated steering wheel, a 12-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, remote engine start and a windshield wiper de-icer.
High Altitude models gain HID headlights, 19-inch wheels, LED taillights, perforated leather upholstery and navigation.
Key Options
Sport trim offers two new safety packages. One is the Safety and Security Group, bundling blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist and rain-sensing wipers. The Advanced Safety Group brings forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Limited, High Altitude and Trailhawk can add a new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group that includes a power front passenger seat, driver's seat memory and front seat ventilation.
Other notable extras include a power tailgate and panoramic sunroof.
Fuel Economy
Fuel consumption estimates for a FWD Compass with manual transmission are 10.4/7.3 L/100 km (city/highway), or 10.6/7.6 with the six-speed automatic. A 4x4 model and its nine-speed is rated 10.8/7.8 L/100 km.
Competition
Compass straddles the line between subcompact and compact crossovers. Depending on the options you choose, your shopping list might also include the Honda HR-V and CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and C-HR, Chevrolet Trax and Equinox, GMC Terrain, Ford Escape or Ecosport, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, or a Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen with its AWD option checked.
