Jeep Compass review
The Jeep Compass is a family SUV with rugged looks and genuine off-road ability that sets it apart from the crowd.
Author: Charlie Harvey
17th Dec 2025 – 9 mins read
If you like your family SUV to look like it can handle a proper adventure, the Jeep Compass is a fantastic choice. It brings the brand's legendary rugged styling and off-road heritage to the popular crossover market. The second-generation model, which arrived in 2018, is a huge improvement over the original, with a much more modern design, a roomier interior, and a host of new technology. The Compass really stands out with its chunky, seven-slot grille and squared-off wheel arches, looking much more like a traditional 4x4 than most of its rivals. While its on-road manners might not be as sharp as some competitors, it makes up for it with a spacious cabin and, on four-wheel-drive models, an off-road capability that is almost unmatched in this class. It’s a great option for families who want a car with a strong personality and a sense of adventure.
Pros
- Brilliant off-road ability on 4x4 models
- Chunky, rugged styling that stands out
- Spacious and roomy interior for passengers
Cons
- The driving experience on the road isn't the best
- Engines can be thirsty and aren't very refined
- Interior quality doesn't feel as premium as rivals
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The inside of the Compass feels functional and robust, with a design that reflects the car's rugged exterior. The dashboard is quite busy compared to the minimalist layouts of some rivals, but the controls are easy to find. A real highlight is the large 8.4-inch touchscreen that's fitted as standard across most of the range. It’s powered by Jeep’s Uconnect system, which is clear, responsive, and easy to use. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so connecting your phone is simple.
The main let-down is the quality of some of the materials. While the main touchpoints are fine, you’ll find a lot of hard, scratchy plastics throughout the cabin, which doesn’t feel quite right given the car's price. It feels durable and built to last, but it lacks the premium, soft-touch feel of many of its European rivals.
Comfort
The Compass offers a comfortable driving position with a good view of the road. The seats are supportive, and there’s plenty of space for the driver and front passenger to get comfortable. The suspension is set up to be capable off-road, which means it’s quite soft and can feel a bit bouncy on uneven roads.
It’s a comfortable enough car for daily driving, but it’s not as refined as the best cars in this class. The engines can be quite noisy when you accelerate, and you'll notice a bit of wind and road noise on the motorway. It’s a car that prioritises ruggedness over ultimate on-road refinement.
Quality
The build quality of the Compass feels solid and dependable, as you’d expect from a brand with Jeep’s heritage. Everything feels like it has been put together to withstand a tough life, and there are no worrying creaks or rattles.
However, as mentioned, the quality of the plastics and some of the trim pieces in the cabin doesn't match the standard set by premium rivals like Audi or BMW. While it’s perfectly functional and hard-wearing, it just doesn’t have that special, upmarket feel you might expect, which is a shame as it detracts from an otherwise appealing package.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is a real strength of the Jeep Compass. For a mid-size SUV, it’s impressively spacious inside, particularly for passengers in the back. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom, meaning even tall adults can sit comfortably on long journeys without feeling cramped. This makes it a great choice for families with growing teenagers.
The cabin is also full of useful storage cubbies, with decent-sized door bins and places to put your phone and keys. The feeling of space makes the Compass a comfortable and practical car for the whole family to travel in.
Boot space
At 438 litres, the boot in the Compass is a decent size, but it’s not the biggest in its class. A SEAT Ateca, for example, offers quite a bit more space. However, it’s still larger than the boot in a typical family hatchback and is more than big enough for a big weekly shop, a pushchair, or holiday luggage.
The rear seats fold down to increase the load space for carrying larger items. The boot opening is wide and the floor is a good height, making it easy to load heavy or bulky items. It’s a practical boot that will be more than adequate for most families' needs.
Driving
Driving experience
The way the Compass drives really depends on where you are. On the road, it’s not the most engaging car in its class. The steering doesn't offer much feel, and the soft suspension means there’s a fair amount of body roll when you go around corners. It feels safe and secure, but rivals from Ford or SEAT are much more fun to drive.
Where the Compass comes into its own is when you leave the tarmac behind. Four-wheel-drive versions are incredibly capable off-road, able to tackle mud, rocks, and steep inclines with ease. The top-spec Trailhawk model is even more capable, with raised suspension and special off-road modes. If you genuinely need to go off-road, there are few rivals that can match it.
Performance
The Compass is available with a range of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol choice is a 1.3-litre turbocharged unit, available with either 138bhp or 168bhp. The lower-powered version is front-wheel-drive with a manual gearbox, while the more powerful one comes with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive.
The diesel range includes a 1.6-litre with 118bhp and front-wheel-drive, which is a good choice for economy. For more power and off-road ability, there's a 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel which comes with four-wheel-drive and an automatic gearbox. It’s the quickest engine in the range, with a 0-60mph time of 9.3 seconds.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Running costs are a weak point for the Compass, as its engines aren't as efficient as those in many rivals. Even the most economical 1.6-litre diesel model only returns an official figure of around 43.5mpg, which is beaten by petrol versions of some competitors.
The petrol engines are particularly thirsty, especially the four-wheel-drive model, with fuel economy in the low 30s. This means you’ll be spending more time and money at the petrol station than you would with many other family SUVs.
Value for money
The Compass is priced towards the higher end of the mainstream SUV market, but you do get a lot of standard equipment for your money. Even entry-level models come with a large touchscreen, keyless entry, and rear parking sensors. However, the Compass suffers from steep depreciation, which is bad news for new buyers but fantastic news for used car buyers. You can find nearly-new examples with huge savings on the original list price, making it a very tempting used buy.
Reliability & Warranty
Jeep’s reliability record isn’t as strong as some Far Eastern brands, but you do get the peace of mind of a long warranty. From new, all Jeeps come with a five-year warranty, which is longer than the three-year cover offered by most rivals. This means that even a two or three-year-old used Compass will still have plenty of manufacturer warranty left.
Safety
Safety features
The Jeep Compass is a very safe car. It was awarded the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2017.
All models come with a good level of standard safety equipment, including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist, which can help steer you back into your lane if you start to drift. Higher-spec models add even more kit, including front parking sensors, park assist, and blind-spot monitoring for extra peace of mind.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Compass is available in a range of trim levels, all of which come with plenty of standard kit.
Longitude: The entry-level model is well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors, and the fantastic 8.4-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and smartphone connectivity.
Night Eagle: This adds a stylish blacked-out look, with 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels and black exterior trim. It also adds a Winter Pack with heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Limited: This high-spec trim adds chrome exterior details, front parking sensors, a premium sound system, and full leather upholstery with heated and electrically adjustable front seats.
Trailhawk: This is the top-of-the-range, off-road focused model. It gets a more aggressive look with unique bumpers, raised suspension, underbody protection, and special off-road driving modes to make it incredibly capable in the rough.
Engines
The Compass is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines.
1.3-litre Petrol: This turbocharged engine is available with 138bhp (front-wheel drive, manual) or 168bhp (four-wheel drive, automatic).
1.6-litre Diesel: A 118bhp diesel engine that’s only available with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. It's the most economical choice in the range.
2.0-litre Diesel: A more powerful 168bhp diesel that comes as standard with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, making it a great choice for towing or off-roading.