Jeep Compass
The 2025 Jeep Compass is a compact crossover SUV with surprisingly strong off-road capabilities. It is Jeep’s smallest and most affordable model, offering a turbocharged four-cylinder driveline with full-time four-wheel drive, including low-range gears available on Trail Rated® trim levels. With seating for five passengers in two rows, the Compass provides utility for daily use as well as capability to get to remote campsites. The Compass is available in four trim levels, including the Trail Rated Trailhawk mode.
Explore the evolution of the Jeep Compass
Get our expert take on used Jeep Compass models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Jeep Compass
The second-generation Compass retained almost nothing from the first-generation model except the name. As a result, the first-generation Compass was sold alongside the second generation for the 2017 model year.
For the second generation, a new chassis platform greatly enhanced the Compass’ off-road capability, and more advanced full-time four-wheel-drive systems were offered. The initial model years offered only a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a standard manual or available automatic transmission and buyer’s choice of front- or four-wheel drive.
Jeep added and updated features every year, but the biggest change came in 2023 with an improved 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and standard full-time four-wheel drive. The Trailhawk trim level adds an available low-range gear option to the drive system for dedicated off-road use.
Technology in the Compass has remained current with each model year. Every second-generation Compass includes a touchscreen featuring the UConnect® operating system.
Model highlights
Available dual-range four-wheel drive
Four-cylinder engine
Turbocharged engine (added for 2023)
Manual or automatic transmission
Seating for five passengers
First generation Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass was intended to be an entry-level Jeep for drivers who rarely left paved roads. Powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the Compass could be purchased with a manual or automatic transmission and with a choice of front-wheel drive or two different full-time four-wheel-drive systems. One of the four-wheel-drive systems uses a continuously variable transmission to simulate low-range gearing for off-road driving.
The first Compass to carry Jeep’s Trail Rated® off-road certification was introduced for the 2011 model year, as part of a general midcycle update to the model. The updated Compass was designed to resemble a smaller version of the brand’s flagship Grand Cherokee midsize SUV.
With seating for five passengers, the first-generation Compass provides basic transportation and comfort. Early first-generation models do not have a touchscreen infotainment system as standard equipment, instead offering a traditional car stereo with CD player. A standard touchscreen interface was added in 2014.
Model highlights
2.4-liter engine
Manual or automatic transmission
Front-wheel or full-time four-wheel drive
Touchscreen interface (added for 2014)
Available Trail Rated® (added for 2011)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2017 - present
2025 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Latitude trim level received more features
Latitude Lux trim discontinued
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2024 Jeep Compass
2023 Jeep Compass
Highlights
New available turbocharged engine
All-wheel drive standard on all trims
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2022 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Updated exterior and interior styling
Larger touchscreen infotainment
Increased availability of advanced driver-assistance features
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2021 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Automatic transmission now standard; manual transmission discontinued
80th Anniversary special edition available
Advanced driver assistance available on top trims
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2020 Jeep Compass
2019 Jeep Compass
2018 Jeep Compass
2017 Jeep Compass
Highlights
All-new fully redesigned Compass
2016 prior-generation Compass also carried over for several months
New generation featured stronger chassis and drivetrain
New exterior and interior
Available Trailhawk off-road model
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Previous generation from 2007 - 2017
2017 Jeep Compass
Highlights
No changes for outgoing first-generation 2017 Compass
All-new second-generation 2017 Compass debuted
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2016 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Limited trim discontinued
Expanded availability for satellite radio and Bluetooth® phone support
Automatic headlights added on Latitude trim level
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2015 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Available 4WD on select trim levels
Available GPS navigation on Latitude trim
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2014 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Six-speed automatic transmission replaces CVT on most models
Standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment
Available rearview camera system
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2013 Jeep Compass
2012 Jeep Compass
Highlights
New Sport and Latitude trim levels
CVT receives enhanced performance
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2011 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Midcycle refresh with updated exterior and interior designs
Improved ride and handling
Available dual-range 4WD with increased ride height and skid plates
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2010 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Available five-speed manual transmission
Available automatic climate control
Available remote start with continuously variable automatic transmission
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2009 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Midcycle refresh this year–updated exterior and interior
Increased sound reduction
Available hard-drive music storage system
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2008 Jeep Compass
Highlights
Air conditioning now standard on all trims
Available GPS navigation
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2007 Jeep Compass
Highlights
First year of production for the all-new Compass
Available all-wheel drive
Four-cylinder engine
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Looking for 2012 models or older?
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Jeep Compass an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Jeep Compass 18th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Jeep Compass is $509, compared to an average of $473 for Compact SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Jeep Compass owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.1 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Compact SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 12% for the Jeep Compass, compared to an average of 13% for Compact SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Jeff Zurschmeide has been an automotive journalist for more than 20 years, covering the new car business as well as motorsports and industry news. He lives in Tillamook, Oregon, at the confluence of great roads, nice weather, and plenty of space for a collection of strange old automobiles.
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