2021 Jeep Compass Review

Name: 2021 Jeep Compass Review
Brand: Jeep
Price: 15999 USD

Jeep Compass Latitude 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+147

The Compass isn't as quick or as fuel-efficient as some other small SUVs, and interior cargo space is a little lacking. But overall we think you'll find the Compass an agreeable pick, especially if you go for the Trailhawk version. Think of the Compass as Grand Cherokee Lite.

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2021 Jeep Compass Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Roomy seating for such a small vehicle
Tech interface is attractive and easy to use
Trailhawk version is highly capable off-road

Cons

Four-cylinder engine's weak power delivery
Limited cargo space
Nine-speed transmission's sluggish response

What's new

More standard advanced driver safety features for Limited and Trailhawk trim levels
80th Anniversary special-edition trim package added to the lineup
Manual transmission is no longer available
Part of the second Compass generation introduced for 2017

Overview

The Jeep Compass fills the gap between the Jeep Renegade in the extra-small SUV class and the Jeep Cherokee in the small SUV class. That makes it difficult to name direct competitors, though the Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstrek are pretty similar in regards to size and price. In general, the Compass distinguishes itself from the pack with easy-to-use technology features, a roomy back seat and better-than-average off-road abilities.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Compass Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$168/mo

$184/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Like other Jeeps not named Wrangler or Gladiator, the Compass is available in a Trailhawk trim level. It significantly boosts the Compass' off-road capability with underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires and a lifted suspension. Compared to most of its rivals, the Compass can get you further off the beaten path but feels a bit less refined. Is this distinctive SUV right for you? Read our Expert Rating below to learn more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.3

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.0/10

How does the Compass drive? We tested the Compass Trailhawk. It will surprise you with its impressive capability when the trail gets tough. The all-terrain tires and lockable center differential are features that you won't find on most rival SUVs.

But some of the things that make the Trailhawk so good off-road hurt it on pavement. Emergency braking from 60 mph took 140 feet in Edmunds testing, which we primarily attribute to the low-grip all-terrain tires. Its underwhelming handling is the same, and its 0-60 mph time of 10.1 seconds is marginal at best. The transmission can be slow to downshift too.

Comfort

7.0/10

How comfortable is the Compass? The Compass Trailhawk isn't the most comfortable choice in the segment, but it is a little better than average. This is true even on models without the Trailhawk's off-road-oriented tire and suspension package. The front seat cushions are firm and have adequate lateral support.

The climate system's mix of buttons and touchscreen controls works great. We also like the optional heated seats and steering wheel, which get toasty. On the downside, there's a moderate amount of wind noise on the highway and, at least in the Trailhawk with its knobby tires, noticeable road noise on rougher road surfaces. Other Compass versions should be a little quieter.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Compass' interior is straightforward with good ergonomics. All of the controls are laid out well, and the Trailhawk's drive mode dial is easy to use. The driver's seat has plenty of adjustment range.

Passengers can get in and out with ease thanks to the wide doors with squared-off tops. Once inside, the Compass impresses with a spacious cabin with plenty of head- and legroom front and back. The driver has a good view of the road ahead, though the chunky roof pillars create blind spots in the rear.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? While it's not a tech-heavy vehicle, the Compass proves that quality is better than quantity. The available 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen has crisp graphics and accessible menus. We also like that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trim levels.

Voice controls are similarly impressive, though voice recognition is merely average. Still, the system interfaces with multiple aspects of the infotainment system. You can even send prewritten texts and adjust climate settings. There are many available driver assist systems, but most work just OK.

Storage

7.0/10

How’s the storage? While cargo volume is on the low side for this class of SUV, the available space is useful. You''ll find multiple storage areas throughout the cabin that are perfect for small items. The armrest bin can hold large phones or a small camera, and the glovebox is decently sized. As a family vehicle, the Compass loses a few points because its child car-seat anchors are buried in the seat cushions and are hard to find and access.

All-wheel-drive Compass models such as the Trailhawk can tow up to 2,000 pounds, a decent rating for this segment. To do it you'll need the optional tow kit that adds a four-pin harness and an integrated Class III hitch.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Compass Trailhawk we tested managed to get about 28 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. As such, we expect the EPA's estimate of 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving is pretty realistic. However, most rival SUVs are more fuel-efficient overall.

Value

7.0/10

Is the Compass a good value? The Trailhawk can considered a good value given its capability. But you may want to look elsewhere if a regular Compass is on your radar. Pricing can be a little higher than the norm, and warranty coverage is average.

Wildcard

8.5/10

For most people, going off-road is not a daily occurrence. But for enthusiasts who like getting dirty, exploring the less worn path is a genuinely enjoyable thing to do. They will happily tolerate the Trailhawk's on-road sluggishness in exchange for its surprising capability off-road. While most crossovers will reside in suburbia, Jeep infused the Compass with the right look and feel to keep drivers smiling.

Which Compass does Edmunds recommend?

Rather than going with the bare-bones Compass Sport or Latitude, we recommend buyers take a closer look at the Limited or Trailhawk trim level. The upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen comes standard on both models, and you can add several desirable driver safety aids by selecting the Safety and Security or Advanced Safety Group.

2021 Jeep Compass models

The 2021 Jeep Compass is a subcompact crossover available in four trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. There are also Altitude and 80th Anniversary Edition versions of the Latitude that add unique exterior accents and a few extra features.

All come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 175 lb-ft of torque). Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all Compasses except the Trailhawk, which comes standard with AWD. A six-speed automatic is standard on FWD models and a nine-speed automatic comes with AWD models.

Starting things out is the Sport trim. Standard equipment includes:

Steel wheels
Automatic dual-zone climate control
60/40-split rear bench seat
7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
First- and second-row USB ports
Six-speaker sound system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Along with access to a few additional option packages, the Compass Latitude adds:

Alloy wheels
Roof rails
Foglights and automatic headlights
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Keyless ignition and entry
Satellite radio and more option packages

From there, you can choose between the luxe Limited and the off-road-focused Trailhawk.

The Compass Limited is the most comprehensively equipped. It builds on the Latitude equipment by adding:

Remote engine start
8.4-inch touchscreen and color information driver display
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Leather upholstery

The Limited also comes standard with these advanced safety features:

Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Compass and the car in front)
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

The AWD-only Trailhawk is based on the Latitude but adds a few of the Limited's upgrades, including the larger touchscreen and safety features. You also get:

Off-road-oriented tires
Raised suspension
Underbody skid plates
Tow hooks
Hill descent control

Many of the features in upper trim levels are available on other trims via option packages. Other significant options include:

Xenon headlights
Nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system
Integrated navigation system
Power liftgate
Sunroof

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#18 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Jeep Compass from 2008-2022.}

$509/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.08x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

12.1%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Jeep Compass.

5 (49%)

4 (16%)

3 (3%)

2 (16%)

1 (16%)

3.6

37 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 37 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

So let's talk about that motor and trans

Paul_L, 12/24/2020

2021 Jeep Compass Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)

My wife drives a Compass Limited AWD, there are tons of reviews everywhere that talk about the seating, size, comfort, whatever. Let's talk about the big bugaboo - the complaints about sluggish performance. First off, there is nothing wrong with the motor. Period. Wind it up to over 3k RPM and it will go, no question about it. Fast revving, lots of fun, plenty of passing power, pay … attention or you can hit the redline quickly. The problem is the transmission - leave it in automatic mode and you'll never see that power, it shifts into high gears early and STAYS THERE. It's maddening, but you can easily overcome the problem by slapping the shifter to the left and using the manual-matic shifting function to go down a gear or two. On a flat 45 MPH road, trans wants to be in 7, when I drive it's in 5, maybe 6. Try it and you'll see what I mean, it's a bunch of fun if you want it to be. Oh, if the problem ended there. While this technique works (I use it every time I go out) the engineers have designed a delay in the downshifting to prevent numbskulled drivers from downshifting too fast into a gear that's too low. Wish they wouldn't do that, I'm not an idiot. At the very least, they could make this delay settable in the Settings on the info screen. Would also help if it had shifter paddles flanking the steering wheel but I suspect the built in radio buttons are in the way of that idea. Finally, for those who can't be bothered with manual mode, someone at Chrysler needs to explain they didn't provide a Sport mode for the automatic that shifted later and stayed in gear longer. Car would be an absolute blast and would only require one more shift gate with an "S" printed next to it and a different transmission map. Must be emissions, cost cutting, fuel economy, who knows, but it's pretty inexcusable no matter the reason. So why, after all this, do I think you should buy one? It's the entire package. Car is solid as a BRICK, absorbs our crappy Michigan roads no problem, feels like it's indestructible. Best infotainment interface in the industry, hands down, and I should know because I've seen them all (auto auctioneer). Great styling, great value for the money, especially the Limited which always seems to offer aggressive lease deals. Standard heated seats and (fat, leather) steering wheel on the Limited, once you have that feature you'll never live without it again. Easy to park, lots of available safety features, I could go on and on. I have a larger family and can grab the keys to a variety of cars, including my daughter's Ford Escape AWD with the 1.5 turbo and a decent trans. That car gets better fuel economy, shifts fine and is zippier. But it drives and looks like a mini-minivan. Hand me the keys to the Compass every time, thank you. It just has the IT factor that is hard to explain.

I enjoyed this vehicle in Colorado!

MarkRegel, 06/14/2021

2021 Jeep Compass Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)

On a trip to Colorado last week our compact car reservation was upgraded to this Compass, a 4WD Limited. We drove it all over Colorado including I70, I25, and lots of mountain roads. We drove Independence Pass, Pikes Peak and Mt Elbert. I really enjoyed this SUV. The first thing I noticed is how solid and substantial this thing feels going over bumps. Handling on curvy mountain roads …

after 1 year, better than described on web reviews

harry, 01/23/2020

2020 Jeep Compass Latitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

2020 latitude, loaded. rides very well, very good acceleration. comfortable. and well made interior. transmission is perfect, not bad like reviewers said. much quicker than nissan of the same size.. i cant beleive uts nit the top rated in its category.

Sweet

Gary, 03/08/2020

2020 Jeep Compass Limited 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Great total package. Perfect if you don’t want a large suv. After 2000 mile gets quicker and transmission is great.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Jeep Compass, so we've included reviews for other years of the Compass since its last redesign.

See all 37 reviews of the Jeep Compass

Write a vehicle review

2021 Compass Highlights

Trim:

Sport

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,495
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Compass models:

Jeep Active Drive: Adjusts torque to ensure the tire with the most grip gets the most power. Also can disconnect the rear wheels to decrease fuel use.
Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning: Warns you if it detects the risk of a front collision and can prime the brakes to minimize reaction time.
LaneSense Lane Departure Warning: Warns you if the Compass starts to drift out of its intended lane and can apply corrective steering.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover20.2%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Poor
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Marginal
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Jeep Compass Review

2021 Jeep Compass Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Compass Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Compass does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Jeep Compass models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

So let's talk about that motor and trans

I enjoyed this vehicle in Colorado!

after 1 year, better than described on web reviews

Sweet

2021 Compass Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Compass Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}