Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass is a compact crossover SUV, introduced in 2006 for the 2007 model year. The first generation Compass and Patriot, its rebadged variant, were among Jeep's first crossover SUVs. The second-generation Compass debuted in September 2016 in Brazil and at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November 2016, sharing a modified platform with the Renegade. It is positioned between the smaller Renegade and the larger Cherokee globally or the Commander in South America. The third-generation Compass debuted in May 2025, built on the STLA Medium by Stellantis, shared with other PSA Groupe vehicles.

Concept

Four years prior to the introduction of the production Jeep Compass, a concept vehicle with the same name had its world premiere in Detroit at the 2002 North American International Auto Show. It featured a two-door body, all-wheel drive and a 3.7-liter V6 engine.

The 3.7 L Power-Tech V6 engine from the Jeep Liberty was not available in the new Compass for 2007, though the production model Compass kept the concept car's styling cues and some of its features. The production model Compass also had four doors instead of the two doors on the concept car.

First generation (MK49; 2006)

Jeep debuted the production version of the Compass at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. The first Compass was assembled on 30 May 2006, in Belvidere, Illinois, where the Dodge Neon was produced.

The Compass did not carry the "Trail Rated" badge found on other SUVs in the Jeep family for the 2007-2010 model years, but received the "Trail Rated" badge for the 2011 model year. The Compass targets first-time Jeep buyers and those who drive primarily on paved roads.

The Compass and Patriot are both based on the DaimlerChrysler/ Mitsubishi GS platform. These vehicles are differentiated by their styling and marketing: The Patriot is a traditionally styled 4-door Jeep wagon, while the Compass has a softer hatchback look, similar to the Dodge Caliber.
File:2008 Jeep Compass (MK MY08) Limited 2.4 wagon (2015-11-11) 02.jpg, Rear view
File:Jeep Compass Limited interior.jpg, Interior

2011 facelift

For 2011, Jeep redesigned the Compass to more closely resemble the Grand Cherokee. The 2011 Jeep Compass also received a revised suspension for better handling, a revised interior with more standard equipment, and more option packages including a Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package which includes a continuously variable transmission fitted with a low-range setting, all-terrain tires inside 17-inch aluminum wheels, skid plates, a four-wheel-drive system, and an increase ground clearance of a full inch.

A special edition Compass model commemorated Jeep's 70th anniversary in 2011, and included various upgrades, special interiors, badges, wheels, and was available in only three exterior colors: Bronze Star, Bright Silver, and Black.

Powertrain

The Compass uses a 2.4 L ''World'' I4 gasoline engine. The 2.0 L World engine is available on the 4X2 Sport model with . A 2.0 L l-R4 TDi Volkswagen-designed diesel engine was available for the European and Australian markets, replaced in 2011 by the 2.2 L Mercedes-Benz OM651.

The Compass also features two electronically controlled four-wheel drive systems, Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II. Freedom Drive I is a full-time four-wheel drive system with locking capabilities; Freedom Drive II is based on Freedom Drive I but by using the vehicle's CVT transmission it is capable of a 19:1 gear reduction simulating a low-range usually found in vehicles with dedicated transfer cases.

The base model version has front-wheel drive (FWD). The Trail Rated version of the Compass has passed the same testing of off-road ability as other Jeep vehicles in terms of traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording.

Models

The three basic models of Compass in the U.S are Sport, Latitude, and Limited.

The Sport serves as the base model. It includes features such as seventeen-inch alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and four speakers, a heater, cloth seating surfaces, and manual, roll-up windows and manual door locks. Features such as power windows and door locks, a seven-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a 368-watt external amplifier, and air conditioning are options. The 2014-2016 Jeep Compass Sport and Sport SE, The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) does not come as standard equipment. An EVIC gives the user information such as gas mileage, number of miles to empty, service intervals, tire pressure, etc.

The Latitude is the midrange model. It added features onto the Sport, such as air conditioning, keyless entry, a security system, and power windows and door locks. The EVIC comes as an optional component with the security and cargo convenience package. This option comes with an alarm, tonneau cover, tire pressure monitoring display, garage door opener, and an electronic vehicle information center. The model became available in 2011.

The Limited is the top-of-the-line model. It added features such as leather-trimmed seats, had an available sunroof, and remote starter.

A 70th Anniversary Edition was based on the Sport model. It added air conditioning, unique leather-trimmed seats, unique alloy wheels, a sunroof, side-impact airbags, a seven-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a 368-watt external amplifier, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, and a security alarm. This special edition model was only offered in 2011 to celebrate Jeep's 70th anniversary. All Jeep models for 2011 only offered a 70th Anniversary Edition model (Compass, Patriot, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Liberty, and the Grand Cherokee).

An Altitude Edition model was made available in 2012. It was based upon the Latitude model and added black-painted alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seats, a sunroof, and a Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a 368-watt external amplifier. The Altitude package was available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee only at first, but then was available on the Compass, Patriot, Wrangler, and Wrangler Unlimited as well. All models except the Jeep Grand Cherokee dropped this model (the Grand Cherokee model continued to offer this model for the 2013 model year). The Altitude name was chosen in a contest to name a Grand Cherokee concept car. Because of the Altitude's popularity, Jeep decided to offer it on all models except for the Jeep Liberty, which had been discontinued.

The Jeep Patriot and first generation Jeep Compass were phased out during the 2016 model year, replaced by a single redesigned Compass SUV that FCA debuted in late 2016.

Safety

The Compass was safety tested by Euro NCAP in 2012 and earned a two-star rating.

Second generation (MP/552; 2016)

The second-generation of Jeep Compass debuted on 27 September 2016 in Brazil and at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November 2016, replacing the Jeep Patriot and first generation Compass. Production for North American-market Compass models was moved to Toluca, Mexico, while Jeep Cherokee (KL) production will move from Toledo, Ohio to Belvidere, Illinois, where the first-generation Compass and Jeep Patriot were both assembled.

Using a stretched version of the same platform as the Renegade, the Compass is available in four distinct trim levels: the base Sport, the mid-level Latitude, the higher-end Limited, and the off-road-focused Trailhawk. All trim levels are available with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with the exception of the Trailhawk, which is only available in a 4WD configuration.

In the United States, the Compass comes equipped with a 2.4 L '' Tigershark'' four-cylinder engine. More than 65 percent of the upper body structure and the frame is made of high-strength steel. Styling of the second-generation Compass is inspired by two of its larger siblings, the Jeep Cherokee (KL) and Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2). Styling elements taken from the Grand Cherokee include headlamps integrated into the front grille and a narrow front grille with a black finish, while the Cherokee lends some of its rear end styling elements, basic interior design, and 2.4 L ''Tigershark'' inline four-cylinder (I4) gasoline engine and ZF-sourced nine-speed 948TE automatic transmission to the overall design of the Compass.

Available features include FCA's UConnect 4C 8.4 and 8.4N touch-screen infotainment systems, a Beats Premium Audio System with a 506-watt digital amplifier, eighteen-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Jeep's Command-View panoramic sunroof, LED front headlamps, Forward Collision Warning, a ParkView rear-view backup camera system, front and rear parking sensors, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), and Jeep's Selec-Terrain full-time four-wheel-drive system (standard on the Trailhawk model).

Production

The Compass is assembled at plants in Italy, Mexico, Brazil, China, and India. North American and European models are manufactured in Melfi, Italy (designation: BU/520) and Toluca, Mexico (designation: MP/522); moved from Belvidere, Illinois. In Brazil, the second-generation Jeep Compass start production the 26 September 2016 at FCA new Goiana, Pernambuco Assembly Plant (designation: M1/551). Chinese models were produced by the GAC Fiat Chrysler joint venture (designation: M4/553) Production of the first-generation Compass and Patriot ended early 2017, with production of the second generation Compass beginning in early 2017 for North American models. Assembled at Fiat's facility in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra, it is Jeep's first model assembled in India since 1996 (designation: M6/566). The right-hand drive version is solely produced at the Indian plant. Stellantis's Brampton Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, is to be retooled for the next-generation Compass, with production commencing in the fourth quarter of 2025. Stellantis is planning a US$970 million (1.32 billion Canadian-dollar) investment so that Brampton can build cars with internal combustion engines as well as battery-electric vehicles.

India

The Compass was unveiled in India on 12 April 2017 and assembled in the FCA India Pune plant since 1 July 2017. In addition to manufacturing for the Indian market, Jeep also exports the Indian-made Compass to many right-hand drive markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Brunei, Japan, Indonesia, South Africa, Nepal, and Thailand. The India-spec model is available with two engine options - a 1.4-liter I4, turbocharged ''MultiAir'' gasoline, and a 2.0-liter I4, turbocharged ''Multijet II'' diesel engine. In 2017 Jeep sold about 10,000 Compasses in India from the day of release until the middle of December.

In 2017, the vehicle contained over 65% Indian parts.

File:Jeep-compass-2018-petrol-at-limited-india-front.jpg, 2018 Jeep Compass Limited (India, pre-facelift)
File:Jeep-compass-2018-petrol-at-limited-india-back.jpg, Rear view (India, pre-facelift)
File:Jeep-compass-2018-petrol-at-limited-india-dashboard.jpg, Interior (India, pre-facelift)

Facelift

In 2020, a facelift for the model was first launched in China, with slight visual changes to the exterior of the vehicle, and a completely redesigned interior. In January 2021, the Compass facelift was released in India. It gets a revised front profile, a larger grille, a new front bumper with a larger air dam, slimmer headlights with Integrated LED DRLs, LED fog lights, and new alloy wheels.

The 2022 US model includes over-the-air updates and includes collision warning with automatic braking, lane-keep assist, pedestrian/ cycle detection, active lane management, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also includes a semi-autonomous assist system called Highway Assist that allows for hand-on-wheel and eyes-on-road automated driving.

The 2022 Compass lineup consisted of existing Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude models, although a new Latitude Lux model, slotting between the mid-range Latitude and luxury-oriented Limited trims, became available. A limited-edition (RED) Edition model was also available, based on the Limited trim. The sole engine remained the naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder gasoline engine producing and of torque (down 3 horsepower and 3 lb. ft. of torque, from 180 and 175, respectively). All four-wheel drive models received the nine-speed 948TE automatic ZF 9HP transmission as standard equipment, while front wheel drive models receive the six-speed Aisin automatic transmission as standard. Sport and Latitude models are available with front-wheel-drive with optional all-wheel-drive, while all other models include standard all-wheel-drive.

For the 2023 Compass, the 2.4-liter engine was replaced by a new retuned version of the 2.0-liter GME four-cylinder gasoline engine, producing and of torque. The ZF 9HP-based, 9-speed automatic transmission has also been replaced with a Hyundai-sourced "8F30" 8-speed automatic transmission.

For 2024, the Compass became the entry-level model for Jeep in North America, following the withdrawal of the Renegade in that market outside Latin America and the global discontinuation of the Cherokee, though the upcoming all-electric Jeep Recon is expected to slot below the Compass. The Renegade and (in some markets) the Jeep Avenger continue to serve as Jeep's entry-level models below the Compass globally.

File:Jeep Compass (MP) Facelift IMG 5813.jpg, 2021 Jeep Compass (Germany, facelift)
File:Jeep Compass (MP) PHEV Facelift 1X7A0139.jpg, Jeep Compass 4xe (Germany, facelift)
File:2022 Jeep Compass interior.jpg, Interior (facelift)

Special editions

In addition to the standard trim levels, Altitude and High Altitude Special Editions are available for the Latitude and Limited trim levels respectively and added "blacked-out" exterior accents, black alloy wheels, as well as other features to their respective trim levels.

The Upland Special Edition model is also available for the base Sport trim level and adds black alloy wheels, blue accent trim for the exterior badging, Trailhawk-inspired exterior styling elements, and blue stitching on the interior. It is only available with four-wheel-drive (4WD), the 2.4 L I4 engine, and an automatic transmission.

An 80th Anniversary Edition version of the Latitude trim level, that adds unique exterior accents and a few extra features, was made available in September 2020 for the 2021 model year.

For 2022, Jeep unveiled a line of vehicles in partnership with Product Red, with each brand releasing a special-edition vehicle with (RED) branding. The Product Red Jeep Compass is based on the Limited trim level, and is available exclusively in Redline 3-Coat Pearl Metallic paired with a Black perforated leather-trimmed interior with red interior stitching. In addition, the Compass (RED) Edition includes special exterior badging, and wheels from the Limited-based High Altitude Edition. In addition to a special-edition vehicle, Jeep will also release branded (RED) merchandise that will be available for purchase. Proceeds from each sale of a (RED)-branded vehicle will be donated to the Product Red Foundation.

Also in 2022, for the Indian market, Jeep released the Compass "5th Anniversary Edition", celebrating five years of the Compass in India. The car featured exclusive trim and alloy wheels, alongside a restyled interior.

Safety

Euro NCAP

IIHS

=2017

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=2022

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The 2022 Compass was tested by the IIHS and its top trim earned a ''Top Safety Pick'' award:

Third generation (J4U; 2025)

In November 2023, Stellantis announced that North American production of the next-generation Compass would take place at the Brampton Plant in Ontario, Canada, while European production will take place at the Stellantis plant in Melfi, Potenza, Italy. Stellantis also confirmed that the third-generation Compass is based on the STLA Medium platform, which underpins several Stellantis vehicles, including the Peugeot 5008 and the Opel Grandland.

The third-generation Compass was unveiled on 5 May 2025.

The third-generation Compass is the first Jeep offered with the choice of mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric powertrains. Fabia Catone, head of Jeep Europe, said this ensures it is "capable of meeting 90% of segment demand" in Europe.

The third-generation Compass was designed in Turin, Italy, with the design team led by Daniele Calonaci together with the Jeep style center in the United States. Calonaci's goal was to “make he Compassrugged, make it more bold but, at the same time, detoxify”. The Compass remains true to the brand’s heritage with features such as the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches and rugged styling; it also features X-shaped LED taillights which merges with the illuminated Jeep logo and the omission of chrome for ecological reasons. Additionally, the Compass features the modular anti-scratch shield and reinforced bumpers offers protection in both urban and off-road environments. Also for optimal protection, the vehicle’s radar has been repositioned to prevent damage when driving through tight spaces or around obstacles. It is available in six exterior colors linked to specific natural scenery and evoke particular images associated with each geographical area.

The third-generation Compass has a ground clearance of and a maximum wading depth of . It also features shortened front and rear overhangs. Standard approach, breakover and departure angles are 20, 15 and 26 degrees, respectively.

Inside, there is a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and 16-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Most of the interior controls are touchscreen based including the shortcuts for the infotainment system and the controls on the steering wheel . There are a few physical controls such as the red switch used for the Terrain mode selector, a rotary dial used to control the automatic transmission and the electronic parking brake. The interior features a 34-liter front interior storage compartment, a cargo capacity of and the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats.

“State-of-the-art technology will be standard on all models,” said Catone, with features such as head-up display, LED matrix headlights and semi-automatic lane change usually found in cars in the premium segment. Level 2 autonomous driving assistance is also an available feature.

Sales

Notes

References

External links

Official website
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{{Jeep car timeline

Compass
Cars introduced in 2006
2010s cars
2020s cars
Compact crossover sport utility vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Front-wheel-drive vehicles
Euro NCAP small off-road
Vehicles with CVT transmission
Cars of Brazil
Cars of Mexico
Cars of India
Latin NCAP small off-road