Jeep Compass: No Longer the Under Dog

When it comes to Jeeps, (and if you are a Jeep person you know) Jeeps are rated based on their bad-assery. We start with the Wrangler, then we have the Grand Jeep Cherokee, and the list goes down from there, with the little under dog / little brother of the group, the Jeep Compass. Now don’t get me wrong – it’s a nice vehicle, I own one myself (my army green one is sitting out in the parking lot as we speak). But Jeep lovers have never really considered a Compass inclusive when it comes to the rugged reputation of Wranglers. (shoot, I don’t get even the Jeep wave in my Compass, but no one stops waving when I’m in the old Wrangler!) But Jeep has stepped it up with the all new Compass, and I have to say, I’m impressed.

The Compass has similar headlights and streamlined grille that gives it the appearance of a scaled down Jeep Grand Cherokee. But the similarities don’t end there, the styling continues to the cabin where it blends form with function.

The Compass sub models include Sport, Latitude, Altitude, Limited, and the Trailhawk. The standard equipment includes 16′ dark steel wheels, push button start, power and adjustable heated side mirrors, dual-zone temperature control, a rear cargo area with tie down loops, and even a height adjustable rear cargo load floor! It also features a 3.5″ black and white digital driver’s display and standard 7 inch touchscreen which runs Jeep’s UConnect infotainment system, which is now standard across all 2019’s. Including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Check with your local Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership for more info!

The standard is  2.4-liter four-cylinder engine powers. . It makes 180 horsepower and 175 pound feet of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission or available 9-speed automatic transmission routes power to the front wheels. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is also available.

Fuel economy for the FWD Compass with the manual transmission is 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, 26 combined. Adding 4WD to the manual-equipped Compass returns 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 combined. With the automatic transmission, the FWD Compass returns 22, 31, and 25 combined. The 4WD Compass with the automatic transmission returns fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 30 highway, 25 combined.

Standard safety features include electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and a reversing camera with active guidelines. The Compass is available with driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, adaptive headlights, and forward-collision warning and avoidance.

And here is what I am super excited about – WHEN EQUIPPED WITH THE AVAILABLE TOW PREP PACKAGE and 4×4, IT CAN TOW UP TO 2,000 POUNDS.  I am excited about the tow option for the Compass, and it shows that Jeep really is ready to get back to it’s rugged roots – even for the little brother under dog the Compass!