Used 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass is what we call a “tweener,” meaning it falls between the subcompact and compact categories. As such, the Compass offers more interior room than a Mazda CX-3 or Nissan Kicks, but its pricing and fuel economy are on par with larger SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V. To entice buyers away from the aforementioned rivals, Jeep relies on the Compass’ Grand Cherokee-inspired good looks, a generous option list allowing buyers to pick and choose the features they want and special-edition trims like the Upland and Altitude. And don’t forget the off-road-ready Trailhawk.

Where the Compass falls short is in the areas of acceleration and passing power. Its 2.4-liter engine just doesn’t have the muscle to move the Compass’ 3,300-pound weight, and fuel economy is only average. On the flip side, you can still get a 6-speed manual transmission, even on 4-wheel-drive models.

Because it shares its platform with the smaller Jeep Renegade, the two vehicles ride and drive very much alike. As such, you can expect a competent driving experience, with enough suspension travel to soak up big bumps and allow for minimal lean in hard curves. However, the Compass does seem to feel every small bump and pavement blemish, transmitting it to the cabin. There’s also more wind and road noise than in competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek and Hyundai Tucson.

The Compass’ 2.4-liter Tigershark 4-cylinder puts out 180 horsepower, which is competitive with the class in which it competes, but not enough to move the heavy-set Compass with authority. Jeep’s 9-speed automatic, once a source of contention with our editors, is vastly improved, getting off timely shifts without hesitation. However, it’s only available on models with 4-wheel drive. Everyone else gets either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. The Compass’ annoying start/stop feature is still a bone of contention with us, too. Thankfully it can be deactivated.

While the Compass can’t keep pace with more nimble subcompacts like the Mazda CX-3, there is nothing in the class that can go where the trail-rated Jeep Compass Trailhawk model can go, not even the Subaru Crosstrek. The Trailhawk sits up higher than the conventional Compass, and has added features like protective skidplates, a full-size spare tire, a Crawl mode that holds the transmission in first gear and Jeep’s Active Drive Low with 20:1 crawl ratio.

If you once owned or rented an old Jeep Compass, banish all memory of that car’s horrid interior. The 2020 Compass’ cabin is crafted with the same look and feel found in the Cherokee and Renegade, with large round air vents, logically arranged controls and proper knobs and buttons where they are needed most. The seats are comfortable and rear-seat passengers enjoy 38.3 inches of legroom, more than in most midsize sedans. With the rear seat in place, there’s a generous 27 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to nearly 60 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Jeep’s Compass for 2020 looks like a smaller Grand Cherokee, which is welcome to our eyes. A black, 2-tone roof is standard on the Trailhawk and Limited models and optional on the Latitude. The Compass has its share of “Easter eggs” — hidden design elements like the Loch Ness monster on the rear hatch glass or the Morse code on the dead pedal that spells out “sand, snow, river, rocks” — that will surprise and delight buyers. Limited models offer more chrome on the exterior, while Trailhawk models double-down on off-road ruggedness with increased ground clearance, skidplates, a blackout anti-glare hood and snazzy red tow hooks.

COMPASS TRAILHAWK
If you’re looking for a compact-crossover SUV you can take into the thickest off-road conditions, the 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk should be at the top of your list. Its Selec-Terrain mode system adapts to various off-road conditions like mud, snow and rock, while a 20:1 crawl ratio helps the Compass tackle boulders and uneven pathways with ease.

UCONNECT 4
The Uconnect 4 infotainment system in Jeep’s 2020 Compass SUV is one of the better systems on the market, especially when paired with the available 8.4-inch touch screen. The response times are quick, the screen setup and graphics easy to understand and integration with smartphones is easy, thanks to standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Jeep Compass is offered in four trims: Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk and Limited. The least expensive Jeep Compass Sport model comes with some respectable features for its roughly $23,600 starting price, including keyless entry, rearview camera and a 6-speaker infotainment system with 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

We recommend stepping up to the Latitude model. In addition to more standard features like automatic headlights, proximity key with push-button start, cornering fog lights, 17-inch wheels, ambient interior lighting and illuminated vanity mirrors, it opens the door for options like the power-adjustable driver’s seat and navigation. Safety systems like blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision alert are now available across the Jeep Compass lineup.

The Compass is available in both Sport and Latitude models with 4-wheel drive and a manual transmission, a rare combination these days. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk includes leather interior, dual-zone climate control, 7-inch color LCD display and 8.4-inch Uconnect center display with a 1-year subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Top-line Limited models get an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and auto-dimming rearview mirror. Options include an Alpine premium audio system, panoramic sunroof, a tow package and active-safety features like lane-keep assistance, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The 2020 Jeep Compass comes in 2- and 4-wheel-drive (2WD, 4WD) forms and offers only one engine: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder good for 180 horsepower. While not the weakest engine in the segment, it’s far from the most powerful. The Sport and 4WD Latitude come standard with a 6-speed manual, a rarity in this segment matched only by the Subaru Crosstrek.

Optional on 2WD models is a 6-speed automatic, while 4WD trims offer a 9-speed automatic that comes standard on the Limited and Trailhawk trims. Regardless of trim level, every Compass equipped with an automatic transmission includes start/stop technology that idles the engine when the car comes to a stop. When equipped with 4WD, the Compass can tow up to 2,000 pounds.

2.4-liter inline-4
180 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (2WD manual), 22/31 mpg (4WD manual, 2WD automatic), 22/30 mpg (4WD automatic)