- Jeep Compass Limited 2020
- 2020 Jeep Compass
- What’s New for 2020?
- Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
- Limited-Edition 2020 Jeep Compass Is Surprisingly Cheap
Jeep Compass Limited 2020
The 2020 Jeep Compass receives several minor updates this year. The majority of the changes include newly available features for the cheapest Compass—the base Sport model. It can now be ordered with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and more with the Safety and Security package. Likewise, the Advanced Safety package unlocks even more desirable content such as adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, forward-collision warning, a leather steering wheel, and more.
Pros
Truly capable off-road, copious technology options, handsome Jeep styling.
Cons
Clumsy automatic transmission, easily becomes overpriced, just get a Jeep Cherokee.
The 2020 Jeep Compass comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic, 6-speed manual.Minor revisions to feature availability.
PROS
Roomy seating for such a small vehicle
Tech interface is attractive and easy to use
Trailhawk version is highly capable off-road
CONS
Four-cylinder engine’s weak power delivery
Limited cargo space
Nine-speed transmission’s sluggish response
The 2019 Jeep Compass stays true to the brand’s off-road formula, but bends toward usability rather than capability.
Pros
Handsome exterior
Generous, standard 7.0-inch touchscreen
Rugged Trailhawk option
Good customization options
Respectable fuel economy, for now
Cons
Indecisive 9-speed automatic
Active safety features a spend-up option
Mixed crash-test scores
Three will fit in the back in a pinch, literally
2020 Jeep Compass
The 2020 Compass promotes Jeep’s adventurous lifestyle in a more city-friendly package than other models that wear the iconic seven-slot grille. Priced between the subcompact Jeep Renegade and compact Jeep Cherokee, the Compass is easier to maneuver and better looking than both. Still, an underpowered four-cylinder engine, subpar interior quality, and ambitious pricing hurt its value versus other compact crossovers. Those who are dead-set on the Compass will appreciate its excellent infotainment system, useful cargo space, and trail-ready options. Every model offers all-wheel drive, and the Trailhawk version can truly tackle mud and rocks. While the 2020 Jeep Compass ranks behind the best crossovers and SUVs, it will satisfy brand loyalists who want practical and recognizable transportation.
What’s New for 2020?
The 2020 Jeep Compass receives several minor updates this year. The majority of the changes include newly available features for the cheapest Compass—the base Sport model. It can now be ordered with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and more with the Safety and Security package. Likewise, the Advanced Safety package unlocks even more desirable content such as adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, forward-collision warning, a leather steering wheel, and more. The top-tier Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk trim levels get a new Luxury Seat package that brings a power-adjustable driver’s seat, memory driver’s seat, and ventilated front seats. The trio also receives a newly optional Alpine sound system. Velvet Red Pearl Coat will join the paint palette later in the model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Jeep Compass base price is $23,600 and the most expensive version starts at $31,895. Prices rise by another $1500 with the optional all-wheel drive; however, it’s a no-cost option on the Latitude model and standard on the Trailhawk. We like the latter’s enhanced visuals and off-road equipment, but it’s not the best value when you can get the comparable Renegade Trailhawk for less. Instead, we’d recommend the base Compass Sport with all-wheel drive. Thankfully, this combination offers the standard manual transmission. The stick-shift also gets 1 mpg better on the highway than the automatic, according to the EPA. We’d also choose the Safety and Security package (blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and more) as well as the Cold Weather package that adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and more.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The four-cylinder engine that powers every Compass is lethargic, and the optional nine-speed automatic transmission is slow to execute shifts. A six-speed manual, available with both front- and all-wheel drive on the Sport and Latitude models, is the base transmission. Buyers who choose all-wheel drive will enjoy a variety of terrain-conquering modes. An automatic setting allows the car to direct torque to the wheels as it sees fit, while Snow, Sand, and Mud modes allow varying amounts of wheelslip for improved traction. Trailhawk models add a low «crawler» gear ratio and a Rock mode, which keeps the Compass in first gear and directs torque only to the wheels that can find grip. The Compass feels more agile than its tall, boxy profile would suggest, responding ably to inputs from the nicely weighted steering wheel. There is some lean during tight cornering, but overall the Compass feels well controlled, solidly planted, and capable on the road. An off-road course we braved when we first drove the Compass revealed that it can hold its own at least over moderate obstacles, and we noticed nary a stumble from the all-wheel-drive system.
More on the Jeep Compass
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Despite running in a class with several smaller vehicles—including some that are only available with front-wheel drive—the Compass is about as efficient as most competitors. Better yet, the gap in fuel economy between front- and all-wheel-drive Compass models is small, and it didn’t disappoint in our real-world tests. The Compass Trailhawk we tested fell short of its EPA rating by 1 mpg over the course of our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test with its 29-mpg result.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The interior of the Compass is comfortable, functional, and has enough space for four adult passengers. The materials used are acceptable but not exactly upscale—but then again, neither is the price, and the Compass is at least as well outfitted as much of its competition. The back seat of the Compass is neither the largest nor the smallest of the cars in this diverse, small-crossover class. It’s hardly a luxury sedan, either, but high seat bottoms in the back seat mean that passengers’ legs are fully supported, and even long rides can be comfortable. Despite its boxy exterior and what at first appears to be competitive cargo volume, the Compass is not the roomiest of its set. It has luggage space enough for an airport run but long trips could be a squeeze, and in-cabin storage space is somewhat lacking. The rear seatbacks angle slightly upward when folded, and the Compass held only 17 carry-on suitcases with the seats stowed.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Jeep’s Uconnect system is one of our favorite infotainment setups, and we’re glad to see it included as standard across the Compass lineup. The Uconnect system is simple to use and responds quickly to inputs, and no matter which Compass you choose, you’ll be treated to a well-organized touchscreen-infotainment system with a USB port and an auxiliary input.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The 2019 Compass earned a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety didn’t name it a Top Safety Pick. Jeep has made an impressive array of driver-assistance technology available on the Compass, but none of it is standard. Key safety features include:
- Available automated emergency braking
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Available lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Compass’s warranty approximates the coverage provided by several of its competitors, but Kia’s extraordinarily long powertrain warranty handily trumps Jeep’s powertrain coverage.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Limited-Edition 2020 Jeep Compass Is Surprisingly Cheap
Positioned between the Renegade and the Cherokee, the Jeep Compass is a more affordable, traditional crossover alternative to the hardcore Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator off-roaders. A facelift model is expected to launch for the 2021 model year to give the compact a refresh and maintain strong sales, but the current model is still being updated in the meantime.
According to Mopar Insiders, Jeep is introducing a new limited-edition package for the Jeep Compass Latitude called the ‘Sun and Safety’ package. As the imaginative name implies, the Sun and Safety package adds a dual pane panoramic sunroof and a slew of safety tech as standard.
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Also included is Jeep’s ‘Safety and Security Group’ package that adds blind spot and cross path detection, a rear park assist, rain sensitive wipers, and security alarm. An ‘Advanced Safety Group’ package adds safety tech including adaptive cruise control with stop and go, advanced brake assist, auto high beams, full-speed forward collision warning, lane departure warning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a rearview auto-dimming mirror.
As standard, the Jeep Compass Latitude Sun & Safety also includes 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires and remote start. Available exterior colors include Diamond Black Crystal, Granite Crystal, Billet Silver, Jazz Blue, Laser Blue, Velvet Red, Redline, Olive Green, and White. All colors are available with two-tone options apart from Diamond Black Crystal.
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