2021 Jeep Compass

Pros: Comfortable ride; roomy cabin within the compact exterior dimensions; off-road ability in Trailhawk trim

Cons: Powertrain isn’t quite as refined as some class competitors; thick rear roof pillars impede visibility; so-so fuel economy

CG Says: The 2021 Jeep Compass adds standard full-speed forward collision warning and active braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot alert, rear cross-path detection, rear park assist and rear stop, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, automatic high-beams, rain-sensing wipers to Trailhawk and Limited models. There is a new 80th Anniversary model and a manual transmission is no longer available. Compass is a compact crossover SUV that slots between Jeep’s subcompact Renegade and compact Cherokee in size and price. Compass was redesigned for 2017. Six trim levels are offered: Sport, Latitude, Altitude, 80th Anniversary, Limited, and off-road-oriented Trailhawk. The sole engine is a 180-horsepower 2.4-liter four cylinder. Front-wheel-drive Compasses have a 6-speed automatic transmission, while 4WD models have a 9-speed automatic. A 2-speed transfer case with a low-ratio for off-road use is standard on Trailhawk. Available features include forward-collision warning and autonomous braking, hill-descent control, and panoramic sunroof. In Trailhawk trim, Compass boasts off-road capabilities that can top most any class competitor except the new Ford Bronco and other Jeeps. The Compass’s drivetrain doesn’t quite measure up to some rivals in terms of power, fuel economy, and transmission refinement. However, competitive pricing, decent interior space for the size, a pleasing on-road driving personality, and up-to-date available features make the Compass a worthwhile contender.