2021 Jeep Compass Review: Trailing Behind The Cool Kids

Jeeps cars bear a very distinct aesthetic that emphasizes their adventurous characteristics and purposed capabilities. The 2021 Jeep Compass is differentiated from its mostly-rugged SUV siblings, however, by way of a more modern and sophisticated aesthetic that better suits the urban settings it spends most of its time in. Beneath the oblong hood of the compact crossover SUV is a rather outmoded 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gas engine that's been modulated to produce a subtle 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. It's a feeble powertrain that bears no genuinely pleasing qualities, but the purposed Compass Trailhawk does still offer the adroit off-roading potential that Jeep and the Trail Rated badge stands for. It's certainly no Cherokee, however, and, in terms of casual driving, it lacks the refinement of its more direct competitors - the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, and the Honda CR-V. Is the Jeep Compass SUV just a cool-looking vehicle with no real substance to draw in crossover enthusiasts, or does it actually have any genuine value to offer?

Compass Exterior

Dimensions

Compass Performance

Engine and Transmission

Unfortunately, every version of the 2021 Compass line has been fitted with the same 2.4-liter inline-4 Tigershark engine. The Compass is a compact SUV, but the 177-hp and 172 lb-ft of torque the engine emits still feels far too meager for it. The engine comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission if the front-wheel drivetrain is kept in, otherwise it's replaced with a 9-speed automatic transmission for the four-wheel drive system.

While the 6-speed transmission is nothing particularly special, the 9-speed is painfully lethargic. If you're looking to take advantage of the Compass' off-roading potential, however, you'll have to accept the compromise as the 9-speed is a prerequisite of the 4x4 system. Depending on the model and equipment, the Compass is rated with a 2,000-pound towing capacity.

Compass Interior

Compass Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2021 Jeep Compass A Good SUV?

The 2021 Jeep Compass is a difficult crossover SUV to recommend as it just feels out of place for a modern, urban-centric vehicle. Its engine is far too lackluster, with power spread out thin across the power band, while the 9-speed automatic transmission is also slow to execute shifts. Unlike the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V, the Compass feels overly firm and rigid for comfortable everyday driving, too, which you'd think is the right price to pay for a vehicle that's supposed to be proficient at off-roading, but the Compass doesn't even really stand out in that regard.

There are a lot of low-grade materials utilized within the cabin and the build quality is questionable. If there's anything good to say about the Compass, it's about its infotainment system. The Uconnect interface is one of the best in the industry; modern, user-friendly, and comprehensively installed with functionality. Both the NHTSA and the IIHS have subjected the 2021 Jeep Compass to review and accorded it with a decent enough safety rating. It also comes comprehensively outfitted with the latest and greatest driver assists and safety systems one expects from a modern car. All in all, Jeep barely got the basics right with the 5-door Compass. We'd recommend the Mazda CX-5 for any US urbanites and the Cherokee for those who want a genuine off-roader.

What Jeep Compass Model Should I Buy?

There's not much you can do about the Compass's general performance characteristics, but you can decide whether you want a better on-road or better off-road experience. FWD models are better suited to urban conditions as the 6-speed transmission is a bit more refined than the 9-speed auto, but you will have to settle for the 9-speed if you want the 4WD system for better off-roading. The price of the 2021 Jeep Compass Sport comes in at $24,495. The Sport is the model we'd recommend if you want to get the most value out of the Compass. The Olive Green paint scheme is fitting along with the 16-inch black steel wheels, which we'd keep for optimum ride comfort. Along with the Cold Weather package, which includes remote start, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats,and more, we'd also opt in the Advanced Safety package for the blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and more.