| Test Driver Ratings & Comments |
|---|
| Acceleration comments | The Compass can only muster 2,500 rpm from a stop, so the acceleration is at first leisurely. By 40-ish mph, the tach swings up to 6,000 rpm and stays there throughout the quarter-mile run. I'm still not used to CVTs — they feel and sound like an automatic that's slipping. Loud! |
| Braking rating | Good |
| Braking comments | Yikes! The first stop from 60 mph caused the Compass to veer out of its lane by about a half-car width (to the right). The third stop was its best, and even after five stops there was little fading and it tracked straight. |
| Handling rating | Average |
| Handling comments | Even with ESP off, the skid pad test easily tickles the non-defeated limits of the system. The brakes were continually pulsing to correct for understeer. In the slalom, the Compass feels light and chuckable, but just when it starts to get entertaining, the non-defeat stability system puts a lid on it. |
| Safety |
|---|
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Optional Side airbags |
| Head airbags | Standard front and rear |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Not Available |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | tire pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Not Available |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not Tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not Tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not Tested |
