The Jeep Compass was introduced in 2007 as a
new breed of Jeep vehicles that were not geared towards off
road capability. The
Jeep Compass is most certainly not for hard-core off-roaders. However, considering the Compass belongs to the road happy
crossover segment, it can tackle light off-road situations with the
Freedom Drive package.
Only automatic transmission are available, but Jeep does offer an
AutoStick shifting function that makes the gearbox shift more like a
traditional fixed-gear transmission.
The Compass comes in two trims, the base Sport and the
Limited, in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. For 2009, the
Compass gets an updated cabin. Although cargo space lags behind
competitors, one strong argument for consideration of the Compass is its
fuel efficiency. The Compass
looks like the child of the previous-generation Liberty and the
current Grand Cherokee. The doors have matching moldings that dress
up a deliberate accent groove. All models have black mirrors and
door handles, not body-colored.
The 2009 Compass is 173.4 inches long and 71.3 inches wide;
that's about the same as the Escape, but the Element is shorter.
The optional RALLYE Group provides 18-inch alloy wheels with
performance tires, a body color kit, bright exhaust tip, driving
lamp and spoiler.
Jeep Compass Drive
Considering its 4WD powertrain and
8-inches-plus ground clearance, not to mention its Jeep badging,
some may be surprised at the lack of off road skills displayed by the Compass.
A new engine compartment and interior floor insulation reduce
noise, while revised suspension tuning helps provide a smoother,
more comfortable ride. The Compass and Patriot are Jeep's first
models with four-wheel-independent suspensions. The brand's other
SUVs retain a solid rear axle, which offers advantages in some
off-road situations. Fuel economy is decent for the class, but the
4-cylinder engine feels underpowered and coarse. On the road the
2009 Compass is comfortable and stable and easily absorb most road
imperfections. Compasses have adequate power, but modest reserve
power demands careful planning before passing or highway merging.
Interior Features
The Jeep Compass now features a redesigned
instrument panel with a smoother look and chrome accents brightening
new, round vents, shift bezel, door spears, and cluster rings. It
excels at front-seat comfort, but offers disappointing cargo
capacity. Cargo volume comes in at 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear
seats and 53.6 cubic feet with the second-row bench folded. A new
center console has a split lid for added storage space, while new
door trim panels feature padded armrests.
The Sport's radio is upgraded with an MP3 player, and the
Limited receives a 6-CD/DVD/MP3 player with SIRIUS satellite radio.
Leather upholstery and heated front seats are available.
The Compass offers generous headroom while the seats are mounted
higher in Compass than in Caliber, expanding ample legroom. The
driver's seat is height adjustable on most versions.
Interior dimensions are rather large for the segment, coming
in at 123.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, which beats the
competitors by a good margin.
Compass Power
Standard on all models is a 172-hp 2.4-liter
4-cylinder engine. Manual transmission is standard. A continuously
variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. Available on the
front-drive Sport with the CVT is a 158-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. The
Compass is not particularly quick with the larger 2.4-liter,
172-horsepower engine - compared to the smaller 2.0-liter
four-cylinder with 158 horsepower.
Summary
The 2009 Jeep Compass is closely related to the
Dodge Caliber, along with the boxier Jeep Patriot, and it has
essentially the same instrument panel as the Patriot. Standard
safety features on the 2009 Jeep Compass include: side curtain
airbags, Brake Traction Control, driver-controlled three-mode
Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Brake Assist, Electronic Roll
Mitigation, and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with rough-road
detection. Front-seat-mounted side airbags are optional. Overall,
Jeep's first and only crossover vehicle is a smooth-riding,
affordable option within the compact SUV class. However, it lacks
Jeep's trademark styling and off-road abilities.