The Jeep Compass hasn’t built the best reputation since its introduction in 2007. The model’s early years were plagued with bad design choices and cheap materials that kept it from truly thriving. Not only that, but it also faced aggressive competition within its own family with the Patriot introduced at the very same time, built on the same platform, and advertised as much more capable than the Compass. People weren’t ready for an “urban” Jeep.
The model’s first generation spanned an entire decade, which makes me think that, for a while, not even Jeep knew whether the Compass nameplate was salvageable. In 2017, the company finally decided to give it a second chance and gave it much better tools to succeed. With the market for compact SUVs exploding, the Compass now made perfect sense.
For 2020, it receives a few minor updates to refine its list of features. The list includes a new colour option, new optional Alpine speakers, and optional Luxury Seat Group, and a slew of optional premium features unlocked for the base model.
The company upped the ante on the vehicle’s look and feel, borrowing styling cues from the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and the days of the cheap-looking interior are long gone. While the surfaces still use a lot of plastic, their texture and treatment elevate their appearance and give the cabin a sharper look.
Get there in style
FCA know they have one of the best infotainment systems on the market with Uconnect and they dedicated a lot of real estate to the showcase of their good-looking interface. In the Altitude version I drove, the seven-inch touchscreen was upgraded to a massive 8.4-inch surface, like a pretty picture hanging right there for us to enjoy.
The Compass uses a 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir, inline-four engine rated at 180 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. It isn’t designed to get you anywhere fast — it’s only designed to get you there, final. It has the capability of a Jeep wrapped up in a road-friendly package. The model doesn’t punish you for not taking it off-road like its famous box on wheels big brother does. On the contrary, it feels quite comfortable playing the urbanite without too much protest.
In the Altitude Compass I drove, the engine is mated to an optional nine-speed transmission. It creates a healthy amount of lag, particularly at take-offs and when you need to react quickly, which is good if you're heading off the beaten paths but can definitely be frustrating if you're taking a highway onramp.
Design
The ride is comfortable and quiet thanks to its off-road-friendly setup. The vehicle is ready for those gnarly Canadian roads and hovers over road bumps like a champ.
While the trim level is armed with Jeep's famous 4x4 powertrain, the Compass uses all fours only when it needs it. Using Jeep’s Active Drive system, the Compass acts like a front-wheel-drive vehicle until you encounter a low-traction situation in which case, the system distributes the power to the wheel that needs it the most. You can also lock the vehicle into 4x4 or use the pre-set terrain modes to personalize the experience.
Armed with a new handsome design, one of the most famous 4x4 badges in the industry, and a generous list of features, the 2020 Jeep Compass has all the tools to face its competitors with assurance. It is priced fairly well — though keep in mind that the options rapidly make the number on the bill skyrocket — and contrarily to some less adventurous models on the market, the Compass won’t shy away from a few obstacles, should you come across any. It’s worth checking out.
The specs
Model: 2020 Jeep Compass Altitude 4x4
Engine: 2.4L, Multi-Air I-4, 180 horsepower, 175 lb.-ft. of torque
Transmission: nine-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
NRCan rating (L/100km city/highway): 10.8 / 7.8
Length: 4,394 mm
Width: 1,875 mm
Wheelbase: 2,637 mm
Weight: 1,509 kg
Price: base, $32,145 as tested, $40,530 including freight
Competition: Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Crosstrek, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V
Standard features: Selec–Terrain Traction Management System, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, All–Speed Traction Control, Trailer Sway Control, Automatic headlamps, Keyless Enter 'n' Go with remote proximity entry, Push–button start, A/C with dual–zone automatic temperature control, Steering wheel–mounted audio controls, Google Android Auto, Apple CarPlay capable, Media hub with USB port and auxiliary input jack, ParkView Rear Back–Up Camera