Vehicle Overview
Automakers typically take one of two approaches when it comes to the final model year of a vehicle before it is completely overhauled. Some introduce new trims that combine popular high-end features at a lower price to provide a good value proposition. Others simply release the previous year's model with no changes and focus attention on the future car. The 2017 Jeep Compass follows that second line of thought. With the successor to the Compass andJeep Patriot expected to goon sale in early 2017, the current Compass soldiers on with no changes.
A change can't come soon enough because the Compass is mostly inferior to its rivals. It feels old in more ways than one, partially because of the aging platform that it shares with long-dead vehicles such as the Dodge Caliber and Chrysler Sebring. The cabin isn't as nice as many competitors, the touchscreen interface is woefully out-of-date, and there's an abundance of tire and wind noise at highway speeds. Add to that unimpressive EPA fuel economy estimates and a lack of high-tech entertainment or safety features, and the Compass is a difficult vehicle to recommend even half-heartedly.
It's true that the Compass isn't completely without merit. Its Grand Cherokee-lite styling still looks pretty good to our eyes, and this is one of the few compact SUVs offering a modicum of off-road ability. But these strengths are greatly outweighed by the drawbacks, and informed buyers will want to consider alternative compact SUVs. If you want to keep it in the family, the Jeep Cherokee and smaller Jeep Renegade are much more modern and still quite capable when pavement turns to dirt. Other highly rated small crossovers include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.
Performance and MPG
The 2017 Compass' base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the 2.0-liter Sport, while the 2.0-liter Latitude comes with a CVT that acts like a traditional automatic. Front-wheel drive is mandatory with the base engine.
Optional on front-wheel-drive models and standard with all-wheel drive is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. The five-speed manual is once again offered on the Sport, but otherwise a six-speed automatic handles the shifting — unless you specify Freedom Drive II, which substitutes a CVT with a crawl mode that simulates a 4x4 vehicle's low-range gearing.
Fuel economy varies depending on which powertrain setup you get. None are all that fuel-efficient, though. For example, you're looking at 24 mpg combined (22 city/26 highway) with the 2.0-liter engine and the CVT or 23 mpg combined with the bigger 2.4-liter engine and front-drive and six-speed automatic. That drops to 21 mpg when you get the Freedom Drive II's CVT.
In Edmunds testing, an all-wheel-drive Compass with the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic went from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, a slower-than-average time for this class.
Properly equipped, a Compass can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
Safety
Standard safety features for all Jeep Compass models include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Front-wheel-drive models feature inferior rear drum brakes, while all-wheel-drive models get disc brakes front and rear.
In Edmunds brake testing, an all-wheel-drive Compass came to a stop from 60 mph in 121 feet, which is an average stopping distance for this class of vehicle.
In government crash testing, the Jeep Compass received a somewhat alarming three stars out of a possible five for front-impact crash safety.
Additional Information
If versatility in your compact sport-utility vehicle is an important consideration, the redesigned 2017 Jeep Compass deserves strong consideration. With an entirely new exterior and interior design, as well as a simplified lineup, the new Compass is loosely based on the smaller Jeep Renegade, but with styling inspirations from the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Note that Jeep is selling two Compass versions for 2017. The previous-generation model is also available. It's not as refined or appealing, but pricing is typically less to compensate.
The new Compass features segment-competitive interior volume and an efficient four-cylinder engine. With four available trim levels, the Compass can suit both city dwellers and those looking to take the less traveled path.
The Sport and Latitude variants can be had in either front- or all-wheel-drive versions. The Trailhawk and Limited are only available with all-wheel drive. For the Sport buyer, you'll only have a few options to worry about; the Cold Weather package, a Sport Appearance package and a Tech Group package that includes rear park sensors and satellite radio.
With a larger amount of available options — including navigation, forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring — the Latitude is likely to be the most relevant to most buyers. Although it comes with the same 5-inch Uconnect system as the Sport, the Latitude benefits from an optional 8.5-inch unit with built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. You can also get xenon headlights, a tow package and panoramic sunroof.
The remaining trims, the Limited and Trailhawk, are only available with all-wheel drive. It's easy to determine which is the right model for you. If you need genuine off-road capability, it's the Trailhawk you'll want to buy; otherwise, the Limited will be right for you. Featuring underbody protection, a raised suspension and an enhanced four-wheel-drive system, the Trailhawk is surprisingly capable when the trail gets rough. Meanwhile, with standard leather seating surfaces, upgraded interior accents, power front seats and 18-inch wheels, the Limited is definitely aimed at the road-going buyer wanting the most convenience and luxury-oriented features. Whether the street or the trail is your preferred path of choice, use Edmunds to help you find the perfect 2017 Jeep Compass.
Is the 2017 Jeep Compass a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Jeep Compass and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Compass featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2017 Jeep Compass?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Jeep Compass and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Compass 3.3 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Compass.
Vehicle
All New Latitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
Review
If I had another chance at purchasing this vehicle.......1) I'd upgrade to the advanced safety features; as it is there are a few blind spots requiring constant diligent observation. One blind spot is the front windshield pillars. The pillars create a momentary obstruction to pedestrians crossing the pillars.. be vigilant!! That said, other models have similar obstructions. 2) As is common with this genre of vehicle, the vision to the rear both left and right is limited. Jeep needs to include blind spot monitoring in all levels of the New Compass, not only as an option. However I would purchase the option in a moment if I could do it over again. The New Compass provides a solid feel and ride, which is important to me. Getting used to the shift points on my six speed manual (which I opted for) is a normal learning curve. So far other than the listed items, I am pretty well satisfied.. Of course, at 10 days in, I still enjoy looking out my front window at my new Compass; the new car feeling has not yet worn away.....
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Jeep Compass
How can Edmunds help?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Is the 2017 Jeep Compass safe?
The 2017 Jeep Compass earned a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 2.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
What options are available on the 2017 Jeep Compass?
Available Jeep Compass 2017 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Trims: Latitude, Sport, Limited, Trailhawk, All New Latitude, All New Sport, All New Trailhawk, All New Limited, Base, High Altitude Edition, Sport Fleet, High Altitude, Altitude Edition, Sport SE, 75th Anniversary
Exterior Colors: Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat, Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Redline Pearl Coat, White Clear Coat, Laser Blue Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat, Olive Green Pearl Coat, White Clear Coat/Black Clear Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat/Black Clear Coat, Spitfire Orange Clear Coat, Redline Pearl Coat/Black Clear Coat, Rhino Clear Coat/Black Clear Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clearcoat, Spitfire Orange Clear Coat/Black Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Mineral Gray Metallic Clearcoat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat/Black Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearlcoat, Laser Blue Pearl Coat/Black Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat/Black Clear Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat, Pearl White Tri-Coat/Black Clear Coat, Black Clearcoat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat, Bright White Clearcoat, Olive Green Pearl Coat/Black Clear Coat, Mineral Gray Metallic Clear Coat, Rugged Brown Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearlcoat, Light Khaki Metallic Clearcoat, Steel Blue Metallic Clearcoat, Marine Blue Pearlcoat, Natural Green Pearlcoat , Rescue Green Metallic Clearcoat, Stone White Clearcoat, Winter Chill Pearl Coat, Blackberry Pearlcoat, Eco Green Pearl Coat, Jeep Green Metallic Clearcoat, Light Sandstone Metallic Clearcoat, Mojave Sand Clear Coat, Black Forest Green Pearl Coat, Deep Water Blue Pearlcoat, Sunburst Orange Pearlcoat
Interior Colors: Dark Slate Gray premium cloth, Dark Slate Gray vinyl/cloth, Black vinyl/cloth, Black cloth, Black/Ruby Red premium leather/cloth, Black leather, Dark Slate Gray leather, Black/Ski Grey vinyl/cloth, Dark Slate Gray cloth, Black/Ski Grey leather, Pastel Slate Gray cloth, Dark Slate Gray/Light Pebble Beige vinyl/cloth, Dark Slate Gray/Light Pebble Beige premium cloth, Black/Ruby Red leather, Dark Slate Gray/Light Pebble Beige leather, Pastel Pebble Beige cloth, Dark Slate Gray premium leather, Black/Sandstorm cloth, Dark Slate Gray/Light Pebble Beige cloth
Popular Features: Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, AWD/4WD, Remote Start, Heated seats, Trip Computer, Back-up camera, Post-collision safety system, Auto Climate Control, Power Driver Seat, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Parking sensors, Sunroof/Moonroof, Alarm, Navigation, Upgraded Engine, Leather Seats, Blind Spot Monitoring, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Upgraded Stereo, Lane Departure Warning, Upgraded Headlights, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pre-collision safety system, Towing Hitch
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: four wheel drive, front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
