The 2016 Jeep Compass Sport for the adventure enthusiast who also needs a daily driver. The exterior design is rugged yet refined, with the iconic Jeep grille adding to its road presence. Under the hood, the 2.4-liter engine provides adequate power, though it's not the most fuel-efficient in its class. The interior is straightforward and functional, with enough space for passengers and cargo. The... Read more

2016 Jeep Compass Review

Good looks and a frugal pricing has definitely helped this cause. If you are looking for a vehicle to comfortably commute, run errands, and do some weekend trips, then the Compass just might be your perfect companion.

Jeep has consciously placed the Jeep Compass in the compact SUV segment to win themselves some greens. With a starting price of $19,695, the Jeep definitely offers better value for money. The interiors are moderately comfortable, and the vehicle is quite capable for some beginner level off-roading. It sits in the same ballpark as some of the other extremely popular vehicles in the segment, including the Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Tucson.

The Jeep Compass might not have risen to meteoric success like its competitors, however, being slow and steady in progress it is definitely on track to win the race in the market. Ever since it was first introduced, the Compass has fallen into a niche segment of user-friendly SUVs and 2016 MY only extends on those principles. While the 2016 Jeep Compass is affordable, sophisticated, and a complete package, it feels underwhelming due to its subpar fuel economy and a constrained trunk.

Pricing and Features
7.0/10

The Jeep Compass gets offered in five trims, namely: Sport, Sport SE, 75th Anniversary Edition, Latitude, and High Altitude. Amongst the trims, Jeep provides the 2016 Compass with two engines and three transmission options. While each of them carries simple and minimalistic features, they differ in powertrain setup. Additionally, buyers can also choose to opt for a 4WD variant for better performance. Each four-wheel-drive variant carries an additional $2,000 than the base FWD variant.

Trim	Sport	Sport SE	75th Anniversary Edition	Latitude	High Altitude
MSRP (FWD)	$19,695	$20,590	$21,180	$23,995	$25,090
MSRP (4WD)	$21,695	$22,590	$23,125	$25,995	$27,090
Key Features	Rear Spoiler	Adds or retains features of Sport	Adds or retains features of Sport SE	Adds or retains features of 75th Anniversary Edition	Adds or retains features of Latitude
	Anti-theft Alarm System	Optional Steering Wheel Controls	Interior Cargo Shade	Auto-off headlights	Driver Lumbar Support
	Fog Lamps	Optional Vinyl Seats	6-speed automatic transmission	Optional Universal Garage Door Opener	Optional Universal Garage Door Opener
	Optional CD Changer	Continuously variable transmission	Optional Mirrors	Keyless Entry	Auto-off headlights
	Cloth Upholstery	Optional Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel	Optional Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel	Optional Premium Sound System	Optional Premium Sound System
	Adjustable Steering Wheel	Adjustable Steering Wheel	Adjustable Steering Wheel	Heated Mirrors	Power Door Locks

We Recommend

If your idea of owning a vehicle doesn’t go beyond normal utilities, then stick to the base version as it comes with all the necessary features required to keep driving comfortably. You can also opt for a bigger engine and the AWD system with the base trim. Even as an enthusiast with a taste for driving, this trim will keep you happy as it comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Engine and Performance
5.6/10

The engines offered with the 2016 Jeep Compass are the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The 2.0-liter engine is the base engine option and makes an output of 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.4-liter engine makes 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. The differences aren’t very big. The car drives around at a meager pace, it’s nothing super exciting. But for the price you pay, you will be happy with the result. However, the 2.4 liters should be enough to keep you running with the traffic. With the 2016 Compass, Jeep provides three different transmission options. While a 5-speed manual is available as standard with the base trim, the higher trims make use of a CVT unit for FWD variants and a 6-speed automatic setup for the optional AWD. The 75th Anniversary Edition is mated to the automatic transmission with both its drivetrain options.

Model	Jeep Compass	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
MSRP	$19,695	$22,600	$22,700
Engine	Regular Unleaded I-4 2.0 L	Gas I4 2.4/145	Regular Unleaded I-4 2.0 L/122
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD
Transmission	5-speed Manual	6-speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic
Power	158hp	182 hp	164 hp
Torque	141lb-ft	172 lb-ft	151 lb-ft

The highest power output among the competitors is made by Chevrolet’s Equinox. It belts out 182hp along with the highest torque output of 172lb-ft. The Tucson comes in second but it's slightly more powerful than the Compass and doesn’t make the biggest of the differences. While all three SUVs are channeled as FWD variants, the Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Tucson come with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission.

2016 Jeep Compass Acceleration

The 2016 Jeep Compass is not a vehicle that flies through the traffic as soon as you put your foot on the pedal. It takes its sweet time to build speed. However, its performance remains class-competing. The 2016 Compass sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds and can further complete a quarter-mile run in 17.3 seconds, all while managing a top speed of 115 MPH.

Model	Jeep Compass	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
0-60 mph (seconds)	9.5s	9.5s	9.7s
Quarter-mile (mph)	17.3s	17.0s	17.2s
Top Speed (mph)	115	130	125

When compared to the competitors, the performance of each SUV differs from the other marginally. While the Chevrolet Equinox manages similar timings in the 60mph run as the Jeep Compass, the 2016 Hyundai Tuscon remains behind its competitors clocking 9.7 seconds. The 2016 Equinox continues with its consistent performance even in the quarter-mile run and manages 17 seconds on the clock, making it the fastest SUV in the segment.

2016 Jeep Compass Ride and Handling

The 2016 Jeep Compass has a lot to work on when it comes to riding and handling quality. The suspension and steering system lacks the preciseness one would expect from a compact SUV and the engines in themselves lack refinement for better ride quality. The CVT transmission is clunky and does not fit in well and in tandem with the overall powertrain setup. However, the 6-speed automatic transmission is a relief. One aspect worth acknowledging about the Jeep Compass is its ability to tread on off-roads better than its competitors.

2016 Jeep Compass Braking

The 2016 Jeep Compass sports a set of rather small-sized brakes when compared to its competitors. While the front brake measures 11.5 inches, the rear brakes measure a meager 9 inches. However, the Compass is the lightest vehicle in the segment, a factor that helps it decelerating quicker than its rival from the 60 mph mark taking 121ft to come to a standstill.

Model	Jeep Compass	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
Brake size (front) (in)	11.5	12.6	12
Brake size (rear) (in)	9	11.9	11.9
Curb Weight (lbs)	3,107	3,764	3,325
60-0 mph	121	N/A	121

When compared to the competitors, the Chevrolet Equinox features the largest set of brakes measuring 12.6 and 11.9 inches at the front and rear respectively. However, its braking capabilities are not yet known. On the other hand, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson covers similar ground as the 2016 Jeep Compass before coming to a halt from the 60MPH mark.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

Despite the lower engine output, the 2016 Jeep Compass fails to put forward impressive fuel figures. However, it keeps up with its competitors. The Compass is made available with several transmission options. However, it is the 5-speed manual setup that delivers the best fuel figures. In the city, the compact SUV manages to average 23 MOG, which subsequently increases to 30 MPG on the highway. Combined, its efficiency is rated at 27 miles per gallon of fuel. However, it sports the smallest fuel tank in comparison, which has a total capacity of 13.6 gallons only, and consequently, it can cover a combined range of 367 miles and remains streets behind its competitors.

Model	Jeep Compass	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
MPG (City) (mpg)	23	22	23
MPG (Highway) (mpg)	30	32	31
MPG (Combined) (mpg)	27	26	28
Fuel Capacity (gallon)	13.6	18.8	16.4
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)	312/ 408/ 367	413/ 601/ 488	377/ 508/ 459

Within the city limits, the highest MPG figures are offered by the Compass and Hyundai Tucson, but once on the highway, Equinox does gain ground over the competition. With a larger tank, the Equinox clearly has the longest range among all the cars. On a closer look, all the cars have similar fuel efficiency figures.

Interior
6.0/10

The interior of the Jeep Compass is a cozy one to be in. The front seats especially take the cake for this one. The seats have adequate support in all the right places and ensure maximum comfort for the driver and passenger. The lack of legroom at the rear might be a problem for some. The seats come wrapped in cloth upholstery, and leather is available as an option. Despite being an SUV, the 2016 Compass ensures that outward visibility is not an issue and there are no obstructions for the driver.

While we agree that the design of the cabin is flawless, the 2016 Jeep Compass interiors have started to show their age. In addition, there is a lot of noise that seeps into the cabin and the use of hard plastics causes it to lose evident ground against its competitors. However, on the practicality front, the Compass remains unwavering. Each usable element is placed at an appropriate position and there is ample storage space on the inside.

Model	Jeep Compass	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
Seating Capacity	5	5	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	40.7/54.6/40.6	40.9/55.8/41.2	39.6/57.1/41.5
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	39.9/54/39.4	39.2/55.3/39.9	39.2/55.5/38.2
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)	22.7	31.5	31

The 2016 Jeep Compass compares pretty well to the class average. But if you are not a super tall person and do not have a thing for legroom, then the Tucson will be a great option. While it does offer better legroom for front-seat passengers, the Chevrolet Equinox is best suited for rear-seat comfort. However, despite differences in space, all three SUVs can seat five passengers easily. Major interior features include-

Heated Seats
Adjustable Steering Wheel Column
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Power Sunroof
Automatic Climate Control

How intuitive is the 2016 Jeep Compass’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system in the 2016 Jeep Compass is surely something that has kept up with the times. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t better systems, but for the money paid, it's good. It doesn’t have many features seen on the more modern cars such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car comes with every other entertainment feature and will have you vibing well to your favorite music

. Few key features available with the SUV are-

USB Port
Nine-Speaker Boston Acoustics Audio System
Flip-Down Liftgate Speakers For Outdoor Enjoyment
Rearview Camera
Uconnect System With 6.5-Inch Touch Screen
Voice Recognition
Bluetooth Phone Connectivity
Navigation

2016 Jeep Compass Cargo Capacity

The 2016 Jeep Compass's cargo capacity is underwhelming, to say the least. For a compact SUV and when pitted against its competitors, the Compass's trunk volume of 22.7 cubic feet will fit your requirements. However, the competitors have better space and feel as if they have been tailor-made for the buyer.

Model	Jeep Compass	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)	22.7	31.5	31

In comparison, the 2016 Equinox and 2016 Tucson are rather equally matched, having trunk volumes of 31.5 and 31 cubic feet respectively. However, one thing that is common among competitors is that all SUVs provide easy access to the boot and allow for hassle-free loading and unloading.

Also Read:

Here's a detailed review of the interior build and quality of the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
2021 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Chevrolet Equinox: A quick comparison

Exterior
6.5/10

The 2016 Jeep Compass now looks old-fangled and dated, and this is mostly due to the carried-over design of the previous year, which will see some serious changes quite soon. However, the car looks tough despite its age. If you are someone who has a thing for the bigger Jeep Grand Cherokee, then you would be more than happy with the looks of this beauty.

The 2016 Jeep Compass is the lightest vehicle in the segment and is also the smallest in terms of overall dimensions. It is 175.1, 71.4, and 65 inches long, wide, and tall respectively. While its ground clearance of 8.1 inches is the highest in the segment, its wheelbase of 103.7 inches is the shortest in the segment.

Model	Jeep Compass	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
Curb Weight (lbs)	3107	3764	3325
Length (in.)	175.1	187.8	176.2
Width (in.)	71.4	72.5	72.8
Height (in.)	65	66.3	64.8
Ground Clearance (in.)	8.1	6.9	6.4
Wheelbase (in.)	103.7	112.5	105.1

Except for the ground clearance, the Jeep surely falls behind the competition. This is mostly due to the car falling short in terms of length, width, and height when compared to Equinox. The Chevrolet Equinox does measure up to be the biggest when compared to the other two. But on the bright side, higher ground clearance with smaller dimensions can mean easier maneuvering in off-road conditions. Few key exterior features include-

Rear Spoiler
Trailer Hitch Receiver (Optional)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Cherokee-like Design
Alloy wheels
Roof Rails
Optional Sunroof

Safety
6.9/10

The Compass has quite poor ratings for a car within its segment, which is a 3 out of 5 from NHTSA for overall safety. The car still gets all the standard safety features. The Compass also scores 4 out of 5 in the roll-over rating. It is noticeable that the car doesn’t have any of the advanced pro-active safety systems. If you are planning to make this purchase for your family, then it would be better to consider other options. Few major safety features available with the SUV are-

Anti-Lock Braking With Rough-Road Detection
Hill-Start Assist
Active Head Restraints
Driver-Controlled Electronic Stability Program
Traction Control
Child Seat Anchors
Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Also Read:

2016 Jeep Compass Maintenance Costs, Warranty Policy, and Reliability Ratings
What safety features make the 2016 Hyundai Tucson better than its competitors?

Competition
9.0/10

2016 Jeep Compass vs 2016 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is the closest competitor to the Jeep Compass. It sports a more powerful engine option that has better outputs and is both quicker and faster. However, it does take a hit when fuel efficiency is concerned. Yet, the Equinox manages better range and sports a rather refined transmission setup that allows for an easy and relaxing drive experience. It leads both in terms of cargo capacity and interior storage space and though it is diminutively higher-priced, the 2016 Equinox is the better option amongst the two.

2016 Jeep Compass vs 2016 Hyundai Tucson

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is eerily similar in specifications to the 2016 Jeep Compass. It comes equipped with an inline-4 engine that manages marginally higher horses of power and torque, yet remains slower in acceleration. Its combined efficiency of 28 MPG is the highest in the segment, while the interior space is diminutively smaller for rear-seat passengers. The ascendancy it gains in the cargo capacity works well in its favor and it further solidifies its position in the segment with its modern and contemporary looks.

Also Read:

Battle of the compact SUVs: 2021 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Hyundai Tucson
Here's what the buyers of the Hyundai Tucson have to say

Final Verdict

If you are looking for a good car with a tight budget, then the Jeep Compass offers you the best of the packages. It is fun to drive, can handle off-road conditions, and ensures maximum utility under all conditions. The only serious flaw with the car is its safety, as it's not something to compromise on. The mpg figures aren’t the best, but it compares well with the class average. Given how long the car has been around, it is a considerable pick in the segment. But if you want to be driven in style, we might recommend to look elsewhere.

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2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass User Reviews

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass Sport SE

2016 Jeep Compass User Reviews

My 2016 Jeep Compass Sport

ProsAbove Average off-road capability with freedom drive II Spacious for the most part alongside comfortable seats., Cost of parts, affordable-

Cons Poor crash test scores, Minimal Cargo space

2016 Jeep Compass Review

Pricing and Features7.0/10

Also Read:

Engine and Performance5.6/10

2016 Jeep Compass Acceleration

2016 Jeep Compass Ride and Handling

2016 Jeep Compass Braking

Fuel Economy6.0/10

Interior6.0/10

How intuitive is the 2016 Jeep Compass’s infotainment unit?

2016 Jeep Compass Cargo Capacity

Exterior6.5/10

Safety6.9/10

Competition9.0/10

2016 Jeep Compass vs 2016 Chevrolet Equinox

2016 Jeep Compass vs 2016 Hyundai Tucson

Final Verdict

Saved Cars

Pros
Above Average off-road capability with freedom drive II Spacious for the most part alongside comfortable seats., Cost of parts, affordable-

Cons
Poor crash test scores, Minimal Cargo space

Pricing and Features
7.0/10

Engine and Performance
5.6/10

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

Interior
6.0/10

Exterior
6.5/10

Safety
6.9/10

Competition
9.0/10