2016 Jeep Compass Road Test and Review

2016 Jeep Compass ・ Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

The 2016 Jeep Compass is considered a compact crossover by its brand, but it’s really something of a tweener; by length, the Compass falls between typical next-generation subcompacts and compacts, including the smaller Jeep Renegade and larger Jeep Cherokee. But that’s definitely good news for car buyers, since the dimensions of the Compass, plus an MSRP that’s on the low end for either segment, mean there’s a lot of value to be found here. Of course, it must be pointed out that the same can be said for the 2016 Jeep Patriot. That less-expensive and slightly smaller vehicle actually may be the closest rival to the Compass, but we’ll leave that for you to decide.

Pricing

A particularly important advantage for the 2016 Jeep Compass is its old-school MSRP. With a starting price of $19,695, the Compass costs hundreds less than smaller next-gen subcompacts such as the Chevy Trax and Mazda CX-3, and it’s priced thousands less than the mainstream compact crossovers. Jeep’s four-wheel-drive hardware is another $2,000, bringing the starting point for AWD Compass models to $21,695—which is still below the sticker prices for today’s mainstream compacts. Further, unlike the entry-level Patriot that’s priced from $17,695, all Compass models do come with air conditioning. Just keep in mind that the Compass also comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, although an automatic and a CVT are available for additional premiums.

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Trim Levels

The 2016 Jeep Compass opens with the Sport trim and, as hinted previously, this is a vehicle that represents a realistic purchase right from the start since it comes with standard features like air conditioning and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport SE then provides some surprising creature comforts, despite its sub-$22,000 entry fee. For example, heated front seats are standard, as is a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel.

On the other hand, power accessories aren't standard unless you choose one of the top two trims: the Latitude and High Altitude models. The former also features more premium style cues inside and out, and the range-topping package showcases leather-trimmed seating, a sunroof, and 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels.

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Powertrains, Performance and Efficiency

The 2016 Jeep Compass reveals its somewhat dated roots here, though it does remain competitive with its rivals. The entry engine, shared with the Jeep Patriot, is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder unit that's good for 158 horsepower and 141 lb.-ft of torque. Again, those are "in-between" numbers that show the Jeep with more horsepower than the standard subcompacts, but less than the compacts.

Also, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is available to serve up 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft of torque—slightly more horsepower than the standard Nissan and Ford compacts. The Jeep's MPG line can reach 23/30/26 with a five-speed manual transmission, however its efficiency trails the competition's with an automatic.

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Exterior Design and Lighting

Now we get down to the details regarding the size of the 2016 Jeep Compass. That vehicle is 175.1 inches long, while subcompact crossovers (think Chevy Trax, Honda HR-V) are typically shorter than 170 inches, and compacts (such as the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4) cluster around the 180-inch mark. As for the Jeep Patriot, it's 173.8 inches in length.

The Compass also distinguishes itself from the Patriot—and its rivals—with its distinctive exterior design: check out the way its sheet metal tightens up across the doors; and the signature daylight opening, emphasized by a triangular rear roof pillar. Standard fog lights and halogen headlamps also help the Compass shine, and projector-style, automatic halogen units are available.

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Interior Design and Capacities

The 2016 Jeep Compass is both simple and symmetrical inside, with a prominent center stack flanked on one side by the vehicle's gauges, and the other by an open storage cubby that's carved out just directly above the glove compartment. Other storage needs are handled by a cargo hold that can fit 22.7 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, or 53.6 with the back row folded. It's more than in nearly all subcompact rivals, and the same is true for the Compass' headroom and legroom—which additionally exceed those in many compacts. Take the Honda CR-V: compared to the Compass, it has 0.8 inches less front headroom and 1.4 inches less rear headroom.

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Infotainment and Audio

Frankly, if you're looking for the latest technologies in a small Jeep, you should look toward the Renegade and Cherokee—or wait until an expected Compass/Patriot replacement debuts in the next few model years. That said, the 2016 Jeep Compass will keep you covered with today's basics, like an available Uconnect media setup with Bluetooth, navigation, 28 gigabytes of hard-drive storage and an iPod interface.

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2016 Jeep Compass: Safety Technology and Ratings

The 2016 Jeep Compass can furnish more than 30 safety and security features, according to the brand, yet customers should be aware that the only modern-day driver assistance measure available is a rearview camera system. Moreover, though the Compass no doubt meets or exceeds the government's mandated safety regs, its NHTSA grades do speak for themselves: the vehicle has not been evaluated for side-crash performance but has a 3-star rating (out of 5) for frontal-crash protection and a 4-star rating for rollover protection. The Compass has not been tested by the IIHS.

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Other Cool Features

First and foremost, the 2016 Jeep Compass is a Jeep, and that means drivers are going to demand at least one model with Trail Rated off-road capability. For the Compass, that comes with a Freedom Drive II package. In the mix, naturally, are features like a one-inch lift kit, all-terrain tires and skid plates, but the big deal is an advanced four-wheel-drive system with a specially tuned CVT and a dedicated low range. Customers also can opt for a Freedom Drive I package for “rough weather and low-traction” scenarios.

Meanwhile, folks with an eye for Jeep's traditions can celebrate in 2016 with a 75th Anniversary Compass, complete with a Recon Green exterior and Low Gloss Bronze wheels and accents.

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Final Thoughts

The fact that the 2016 Jeep Compass doesn’t offer much in the way of modern-day technologies—safety and otherwise—may give some shoppers pause, but the 2016 Jeep Compass does stand out as a high-value choice from one of the industry’s hottest brands. Remember, Jeep’s next-generation compact crossover SUV, the Cherokee, has an MSRP that’s more than $3,500 above that of the Compass. And that pricing advantage holds against the rest of the compact competition, too. The bottom line: this may not be a perfect vehicle, but it’s perfect for value-conscious Jeep drivers who want a more substantial package than that provided by the Patriot.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles