Thinking of buying a used Jeep Compass?
The style of the car
The Jeep Compass is a small SUV with chunky off-roader looks. It has the compact dimensions of a family hatchback with the versatility of a much larger car, which means it’s easy to drive in town but great for more exciting trips as well. The top-of-the-range Trailhawk gets unique off-road alloy wheels and special body decals and badging.
How it drives
With its high ride height, good road visibility and light steering, the Compass is easy to drive and park. The petrol and diesel engines are responsive, while the soft suspension makes the Jeep comfortable on long journeys. The standard manual gearbox is efficient but the automatic version makes life easier in traffic. The 4x4 versions are excellent off-road and ideal for towing.
The interior
The five-door and five-seat Compass is spacious and practical. There’s plenty of head and legroom for all passengers, while the driver gets a lot of seat adjustment controls. The large 438-litre boot has a wide opening and flat floor for easy loading and will hold three large suitcases.
Entry-level Sport models get air con and touchscreen infotainment with Bluetooth, while Longitude adds keyless entry and Apple CarPlay. Limited models feature leather seat trim and a heated steering wheel. Trailhawk versions get a special four-wheel drive system for serious off-roading.
Running costs and reliability
The Compass undercuts its rivals on price and has more standard equipment. All engines provide good efficiency, but the diesels deliver the best fuel economy. Tax and insurance will cost around the same as rivals and pre-paid servicing plans can help you manage maintenance bills. Jeep has a good record for durability, while models from 2018 onwards come with the car maker’s five-year warranty. The Compass was awarded five stars by Euro NCAP.
Jeep Compass vs rivals
The Compass is Jeep’s mid-size SUV and is bigger than the Jeep Renegade but smaller than the more expensive Jeep Cherokee. It’s a more distinctive choice than the Nissan Qashqai and its four-wheel drive versions are more capable off-road than the Peugeot 3008. The Compass has won more than 20 awards around the world.
