Upland 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Upland 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Upland 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Upland 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
The 2018 Jeep compass is less powerful in comparison to the performance SUV Cherokee, with only a 180 horsepower 4-cylinder engine. The price makes it a very lucrative option in the crossover segment.
The Jeep Compass was introduced in 2007, and the 2018 Compass model year has been introduced as a part of the second generation update. Since the vehicle’s second generation came into the market only a year ago (2017), the 2018 model is pretty much a carryover with no major changes. The Jeep compass slots itself between the smaller Renegade and the larger Cherokee, while carrying most of its design language from the Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee SUVs.
The 2018 Jeep Compass comes with a starting MSRP of $20,995 and offers immense value in terms of practicality, comfort, and refinement. The Jeep Compass competes in the segment with some capable rivals, such as the Ford Escape, the Honda CR-V, and the Toyota RAV4. Despite being the higher league, the Compass manages to stand its ground, thanks to plenty of handy features, great fuel economy, and advanced safety features.
The 2018 Jeep Compass is offered in 4 different trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. All Compass trim levels are powered by a 2.4-L Inline-4 engine. The base Sport trim is available at an MSRP of $21,000, while the top-end Compass TrailHawk is offered at $28,700. Right from the base trim, the Jeep Compass is packed with features. The following table highlights the trims and features offered with the 2018 Jeep Compass.
Trims |
Sport |
Latitude |
Limited |
TrailHawk 4X4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$ 20,995 |
$ 24,295 |
$ 27,595 |
$ 28,695 |
Features |
16-Inch x 6.5-Inch Styled Black Steel Wheels. |
Premium Cloth / Vinyl Bucket Seats. |
Leather-trimmed seats |
Jeep Active Drive Low 4×4 System |
Cloth Bucket Seats. |
Uconnect 3 with 5-Inch Display. |
Uconnect 4 with 8.4-Inch Display. |
Selec-Terrain Traction Management System |
|
Uconnect 3 with 5-Inch Display. |
17-Inch Silver-Painted Aluminum Wheels |
18-Inch Polished Gray Pocket Alum Wheels |
Premium Cloth / Leather-Trimmed Bucket seats. |
|
low gloss black wheels |
All-season tires |
Full-color driver information digital cluster display |
Uconnect 4 with 8.4-Inch Display. |
|
Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera |
Keyless Enter ‘n Go |
Two-tone black roof |
Hill Descent Control |
|
Remote keyless entry |
Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
Heated steering wheel with manual tilting, manual telescoping |
Off-road suspension |
|
Push-button start |
Automatic temperature control |
17-inch wheels |
||
Ambient lighting |
Front anti-roll bar |
|||
Delay-off headlights |
Wireless phone connectivity |
|||
Illuminated auxiliary driver and passenger-side visor mirrors |
Steering-wheel mounted audio controls |
The features mentioned above are just a small portion of the list offered in each trim. Other than the features mentioned above, you can opt for a variety of additional optional features. This makes the Jeep Compass a highly flexible SUV in terms of customization and extra features on offer.
We Recommend
While the base trim is equipped with a decent list of standard features, but we would suggest you choose the Compass Latitude. If you are going to use your Jeep mostly in urban conditions, then FWD wouldn't be an issue. Otherwise, you should definitely take the AWD upgrade home, if you plan to do off-roading.
The 2018 Jeep Compass is powered by a 2.4L Tigershark Inline-4 engine. The Compass engine makes 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, which is mated to a 6-speed manual on lower trims. As an option, a 6-speed automatic is offered with FWD models. However, AWD models get an option for upgrading to a 9-speed ZF automatic transmission. The power output, combined with a stiff chassis, makes the Jeep Compass perfect for off-roading purposes. The Compass TrailHawk sets the ultimate benchmark for off-roading in this segment.
The Compass' power output is adequate for moving within the city, but the Jeep does feel a bit burdened when you have to hit the highway. Unfortunately, the 2018 Compass seems to despise higher rev ranges and speeds. But other than that, the Compass is more than capable. The AWD drivetrain might not be able to achieve what its elder sibling the Jeep Wrangler is known for, but it can take you way further than what its competitors have to offer. The ZF-9 Speed automatic transmission shifts gears seamlessly but is a bit too eager to shift through the gears.
Models |
Jeep Compass |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$ 20,995 |
$ 23,850 |
$ 24,150 |
$24,410 |
Engine |
2.4-Liter Inline-4 MultiAir Gas engine. |
2.5-Liter Inline-4 |
2.4-liter Inline-4 |
2.5-liter Inline-4 |
Transmission |
6-Speed Manual |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
Continuously variable-speed automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
Horsepower |
180 hp @ 6400 rpm |
168 hp @ 6000 rpm |
184 hp @ 6400 rpm |
176 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Torque |
175 ft-lbs. @ 3900 rpm |
170 ft-lbs. @ 4500 rpm |
180 ft-lbs. @ 3900 rpm |
172 ft-lbs. @ 4100 rpm |
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year) |
6.8 |
7.3 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
The Honda CR-V has the highest power output with 184 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, followed by the Jeep Compass. The Toyota RAV4 takes the third position with 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, leaving the Ford Escape at the bottom of the table with a power output of 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque.
The Jeep Compass's 2.4L Inline-4 engine, working in tandem with the 6-speed manual transmission, turns out to be steady on the acceleration front. The 2018 Jeep Compass sprints from 0-60 MPH in 8.6 seconds, which is fairly average for vehicles in this segment. Additionally, the Jeep Compass crosses the quarter-mile mark in about 16.6 seconds, which again, is underwhelming. The Compass' engine takes some time to pick the pace and is not as responsive as you would expect it to be.
The 6-speed automatic transmission or the 9-speed automatic transmission do not radically change the 0-60 mph time due to the low power output. In any case, the Jeep Compass is not designed for blistering acceleration, and therefore, does not necessarily have to be misjudged in this regard. The 2018 Compass' off-roading merit makes up for the loss of power and 0-60 mph sprint times.
Model |
Jeep Compass |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
8.6 seconds |
9.1 seconds |
9.3 seconds |
8.3 seconds |
Quarter mile |
16.6 seconds |
16.3 seconds |
16.0 seconds |
16.3 seconds |
Engine |
2.4L |
2.5L |
2.4L |
2.5L |
The Toyota RAV-4 has the best 0-60 MPH time of 8.3 seconds, followed by the Jeep Compass that can achieve the same feat in 8.6 seconds. On the other hand, the Honda CR-V manages to cross the quarter-mile faster than its competition and has a quarter-mile time of 16 seconds, while the Jeep Compass has the slowest quarter-mile time of 16.6 seconds.
Whether you loathe or like compact crossovers, Jeep's commitment to capability in the segment should definitely be acknowledged. The Jeep Compass is undoubtedly made to conquer any terrain you come across and all the trims are offered with FWD or RWD drivetrains, except for the Trailhawk trim which comes only with the 4WD system. The handling is great, but slightly questionable due to the inconsistent steering and noticeable body roll. However, the suspension setup keeps the ride smooth over curves and corners.
When optioned with Jeep's Active Drive 4×4 system, the Compass comes with the Selec-Terrain system, which offers four modes - Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud; giving the compact crossover enough flexibility to be taken on any type of terrain. By opting for the Trailhawk trim, you also gain a unique Rock mode and special Selec-Trac calibration. The off-road-capable Compass Trailhawk is undoubtedly the most capable and fun-to-drive trim, as it offers comparatively better performance on and off the tarmac. The Trailhawk also comes with an off-road suspension system, hill descent control, and all-season on/off-road tires, and a rock driving mode making it a sure-shot way for you to own an adventurous vehicle.
The 2018 Jeep Compass comes fitted with 4-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system(ABS). All the trims have 12-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 11-inch disc brakes in the rear. Being a compact crossover SUV, the Compass is also fitted with some intuitive braking tech such as Brake Assist, Hill Hold Control, and Electric Parking Brake.
The off-road Compass Trailhawk gets an additional Hill Descent Control braking tech as well. The 2018 Jeep Compass slows from 0 to 60 mph in 121 feet, showcasing decent braking performance. The braking technologies that come along with the Compass come in handy when driving on undulating terrain or off-roading trails.
Model |
Jeep Compass |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake pads-front(in) |
12.0 |
12.8 |
11.1 |
10.8 |
Brake pads Rear(in) |
11.0 |
12 |
10.2 |
11.2 |
Curb weight(lbs) |
3.184 |
3.552 |
3,307 |
3,455 |
60-0 MPH |
121 ft. |
120 ft. |
116 ft. |
121 ft. |
The Ford Escape has the biggest brake discs when compared to the others but has the second-best 60 - 0 MPH braking distance of 120 feet. The Honda CR-V has the best braking distance of 116 feet. The Toyota RAV4 and the Jeep Compass seem to have the same braking performance with both of them having a 60 - 0 MPH stopping distance of 121 feet.
The slow and steady 2.4L engine of the 2018 Jeep Compass offers a fairly decent fuel economy in its class. With the manual transmission and FWD, the Jeep Compass returns 23 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and a combined MPG figure of 27. With the same manual transmission, the AWD Compass has a city MPG of 22 miles, highway MPG of 31 miles, and a combined MPG of 26 miles. Equip the AWD Compass with the 9-speed automatic transmission, and the number drops down to a city MPG of 22 miles, highway MPG of 30 miles, and a combined MPG of 25 miles.
Model |
Jeep Compass |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG(City) |
23 |
21 |
26 |
23 |
MPG(Highway) |
32 |
29 |
32 |
30 |
MPG(Combine) |
27 |
25 |
29 |
26 |
Fuel Tank Capacity |
13.5 gallons |
15.7 gallons |
14.0 gallons |
15.9 gallons |
Range(City/Highway/Combined)(miles) |
310.5/432/364.5 |
329.7/455.3/392.5 |
364/448/406 |
365.7/477/413.4 |
To add to the shortcomings, the Jeep Compass has the smallest fuel tank capacity of 13.5 gallons across all the trims. The Honda CR-V has a combined MPG of 29 miles, which is the highest of the lot, followed by the Jeep Compass. However, the Toyota RAV4’s big fuel tank of 15.9 gallons, along with its 26-mile combined MPG, allows it to offer a combined range of 413.4 miles which is higher than the other vehicles.
The 2018 Jeep Compass offers adequate space for five passengers. In the lower trims, the seats are premium cloth upholstered with six-way manually adjusted for the front seats and a 60/40-split-capable rear bench seat. The available seating options include leather upholstery, cloth, and vinyl-trimmed seats, power adjustment, and heated front seats. The higher trims come equipped with leather upholstered seats, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 6-way manually adjustable front passenger’s seat, along with heating function for the front-row seats.
The Compass interior provides abundant legroom, but the headroom can decrease if you opt for a sunroof. The rear seats have lower anchors and three tether anchors for child safety seats. The child safety seat can be installed in the middle seat by taking a lower anchor from each of the seats when not in use. Throughout the interior, the Compass features high-quality materials and switchgear, which feel great to touch and look at. While reliability isn't the strong suit of the Compass, the interior sure feels well put together and quite solid. All in all, the Jeep Compass interior stands elegant and ergonomic, with lots of comfort and convenience features to keep you well settled in the cabin.
Model |
Jeep Compass |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Passenger Volume (ft.) |
99.6 |
98.1 |
105.9 |
101.9 |
Front-Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In) |
39.2/56.7/41.8 |
39.9/56/43.1 |
40.1/57.9/41.3 |
39.8/57.3/42.6 |
Second-Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In) |
38.5/55.1/38.3 |
39/55.3/36.8 |
39.2/55.6/40.4 |
38.9/55.4/37.2 |
The Honda CR-V offers the most amount of passenger space of all the vehicles, followed by the Toyota RAV4. The Jeep Compass takes third position it-terms of passenger space, leaving the Ford Escape at the bottom of the table. The following is a list of features offered with the 2018 Jeep Compass interior:
The 2018 Jeep Compass comes equipped with Jeep's latest Uconnect interface which has good functionality and is easy to use. The standard features that come attached to the fitment include a 5-inch touchscreen for the lower trims, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. There is also an 8.4-inch touch-screen display available in the higher trims as standard that offers superior graphics and a user-friendly home screen.
The additional features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, and a 9-speaker Beats premium audio system. The overall interface of the infotainment unit feels fluid and intuitive, and there are plenty of default apps to explore Additionally, the Jeep Compass comes with SiriusXM Radio, which certainly adds to the versatility of the SUV's infotainment experience. Some distinctive infotainment features offered with the 2018 Jeep Compass include:
The 2018 Jeep Compass offers very less cargo space in comparison to its rivals. The 2018 model year Compass offers only 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats upright, which is very low for a compact SUV. By folding the rear seats, you can expect 59.8 cubic feet of cargo space. These numbers are really not that impressive, especially with the fact that the Jeep Compass is slated as a compact crossover SUV.
As far as the cabin space storage is concerned, there are adequately sized door bins, a couple of cupholders in the first and second row, a good amount of space in the glove compartment, and some space in the armrest bin. In terms of cabin practicality for smaller items, the 2018 Jeep Compass certainly doesn't disappoint all that much. As mentioned earlier, cargo space gets a big thumbs down though.
Model |
Jeep Compass |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Volume (ft.cube) (w/second-row seats fold) |
59.8 |
67.8 |
75.8 |
73.4 |
Volume (ft.cube) (With all seats upright ) |
27.2 |
34.3 |
39.0 |
38.4 |
Towing Capacity(lbs.) |
2,000 |
1,500 |
1,500 |
3,500 |
The Honda CR-V offers the most cargo space of 39 cubic feet and 75.8 cubic feet of space when the second-row seats are folded. The Toyota RAV4 takes the second position with a cargo space of 38.4 cubic feet and a maximum capacity of 73.4 cubic feet. In this case, the Jeep Compass offers the least cargo space of the bunch with a meager 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space and 59.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity.
The Compass line of vehicles went through a full redesign for the 2017 model which marked the start of the second generation for this compact crossover. The vehicle’s construction was also revised for the second generation models, with more than 65% of the upper body structure and the frame being built from high-strength steel. The second-generation Compass's design is inspired by two of its larger siblings, the Jeep Cherokee and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The headlights are integrated with the grille and the front grille is narrow with a blacked-out design; design elements have been taken from the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The rear-end design of the vehicle, on the other hand, is borrowed from the Jeep Cherokee.
The 2018 model is essentially a carryover of the 2017 model with no major changes. While the lower trims are fitted with 17-inch aluminum wheels, the higher trims are offered an 18-inch wheel. The Compass Trailhawk comes with increased ruggedness with bigger ground clearance, snazzy red tow hooks, a blackout anti-glare hood, and skid plates that give it a more muscular look and have a commanding presence on the road when compared to the other trims. All in all, the 2018 Jeep Compass is a stunning vehicle to look at. With sharp folds and aggressive proportions, the Compass emanates an air of authority and confidence.
Model |
Jeep Compass |
Ford Escape |
Honda CR-V |
Toyota RAV4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight(lbs) |
3.182 |
3.552 |
3.307 |
3.455 |
Length(in) |
173.0 |
178.1 |
180.6 |
183.5 |
Width(in) (w/o mirror) |
73.8 |
72.4 |
73.0 |
72.6 |
Height(in) |
64.6 |
66.3 |
66.1 |
67.1 |
Ground clearance(in) |
7.8 |
7.9 |
6.7 |
6.1 |
Wheelbase(in) |
103.8 |
105.9 |
104.7 |
104.7 |
Track width(in) F/R |
60.7/60.3 |
61.5/61.6 |
63/63.7 |
61.8/61.8 |
The Ford Escape has the most curb weight of 3,552 pounds, followed by the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Jeep Compass respectively. When it comes to the overall length, the Toyota RAV4 is the longest while the Jeep Compass is the shortest. Even though the Toyota RAV4 has the most height, it offers the least ground clearance while the Jeep Compass leads in the ground clearance department.
The 2018 Jeep Compass stands as a very safe SUV for daily grinds. The 2018 model year Compass has been crash-tested by the NHTSA, which has given it a 4-star overall rating, along with great individual scores. Additionally, the IIHS has awarded the Compass ‘Good’ scores in all the test categories. The Jeep Compass has also been named 2017 IIHS "Top Safety Pick".
The 2018 Jeep Compass comes with plenty of standard safety features, which makes it very appealing at this price point. By opting for the Advanced Safety and Lighting Group and the Safety and Security Group packages, you can avail of some advanced safety features such as automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeps assist, and rear parking sensors. The following features help in reinforcing the 2018 Jeep Compass safety quotient:
The Ford Escape is energetic and powerful. It offers an upscale interior along with an easy-to-use infotainment system. But it lacks the ruggedness and power that is offered in the Jeep. The Ford Escape does not, however, offer good fuel economy and significant storage space as well. In that case, opting for the Jeep Compass would be the better choice.
The Honda CR-V has become a domestic name in a very short period. The compact SUV offers an array of perks. It is stable and offers exceptional gas mileage. The car is capable of providing light off-roading capabilities with 6.7 inches of ground clearance. It's still a good deal and has much more to offer than the Compass. It cost a few thousand bucks more than the Compass. Not to forget Honda’s reputation in the reliability aspect. In this case, the Honda CR-V is the better option.
The Toyota RAV4 is a chunky and smartly built compact SUV. The car has scored excellent crash test scores. It comes loaded with major safety equipment and offers stable ride quality. Once again, Toyota is synonymous with reliability and practicality. Even though the Jeep Compass is a lot more refined when compared to its previous versions, it still has to improve in its reliability, safety, and practicality aspects. Hence, the Toyota RAV4 takes the win here.
The 2018 Jeep Compass is appealing in nearly all aspects. From the exterior to the interior, everything looks simply magnificent given its price point. It offers lots of legroom and comfortable seating for all the passengers. The infotainment system is acceptable. There's a wide range of available packages, which you can choose as per your budget and convenience that can significantly improve the vehicle’s performance and feature offerings. However, the vehicle has a lethargic powertrain, low cargo space, and a low reliability score. If you are hell-bent on joining the Jeep community, opting for the Jeep Compass won’t harm you. But if you are looking for a fitting compact crossover SUV, you might as well go for the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4. Both of them are plentifully loaded with features and safety tech, while also offering a good amount of passenger and cargo space.