Jeep Compass

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 did not make it into the all-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 (2006-2016)

Jeep debuted the production version of the Compass at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. The first Compass was assembled on May 30, 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. This indicates that 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.

Facelift

For 2011, Jeep redesigned the Compass to more closely resemble the Grand Cherokee, while keeping its own identity. The 2011 Jeep Compass also receives 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 172 hp (128 kW) 2.4 L World I4 gasoline engine. The 2.0 L World engine is available on the 4X2 Sport model with 158 hp (118 kW). A 2.0 L l-R4 TDi 103 kW (138 hp; 140 PS) 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), a first for any Jeep. 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 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 Group. This option comes with Security Alarm, Soft Tonneau Cover, Tire Pressure Monitoring Display, Universal Garage Door Opener, and 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.

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

Safety

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

Second generation (2017–present)

The second-generation 2017 Jeep Compass was initially unveiled on September 27, 2016 in Brazil, but received a formal debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November 2016. It is slated to replace both the Jeep Patriot and first generation Compass in the 2017 Jeep lineup.

The Compass will be available in four distinct trim levels: the base Sport, the mid-level Latitude, the luxurious Limited, and the off road-capable Trailhawk. All trim levels will be available with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with the exception of the Trailhawk trim, which will only be available in a 4WD configuration.

Exterior styling is reminiscent of both the Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) and Jeep Cherokee (KL), while interior styling is solely reminiscent of the Jeep Cherokee. Available features include FCA's UConnect 8.4A 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).

In Brazil, the all-new, second-generation Jeep Compass will begin production at Jeep's new Goiana, Pernambuco Assembly Plant, however, for North American markets, the Compass will be produced in Mexico, moving production from Belvidere, Illinois (the Jeep Cherokee (KL) is expected to move production from its Toledo, Ohio Assembly Plant to the Belvidere, Illinois Assembly Plant, where the current Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot are produced). Production of the first-generation Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot are expected to end in early 2017, with production of the all-new Jeep Compass commencing in spring of 2017 for North American models.

Pricing has not yet been announced for North American models, and will be announced closer to launch, however, the new Jeep Compass will be available in the United States in spring 2017 as 2017 model year vehicle. Pricing for Brazilian market 2017 Jeep Compass models ranges from R$99.990 for the base Sport trim level, to R$149.990 for the off road-capable Trailhawk trim.