The Jeep Compass arrived in 2018, sitting above the Renegade and below the Grand Cherokee in Jeep’s range. That dropped it into a very competitive sector, but Jeep’s trump card is that, much like British rival Land Rover, it’s always baked some genuine off-road ability into its cars.
Okay, you might not get that from some of the front-wheel drive Compass variants, but it’s there in the 4x4s, and while early models were a little rough around the edges, Jeep has improved the Compass over time. Used examples can be quite affordable, and in the right spec, and with the right engines, it makes for a likeable family SUV.
There’s a nearly endless list of alternatives to the Jeep Compass, as this segment is one of the most competitive in the market. Big-sellers include cars like the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage, while the Ford Kuga and Mazda CX-5 feel more sophisticated to drive, and premium alternatives like the Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3 may tempt you if you’re prepared to look at slightly older models for the same money.
Authenticity. It’s why people trust certain brands above others, even if two products are seemingly identical on the surface. Think Swiss watches, Belgian chocolates, or bubble white wine from one very specific region of France. It’s also why you might buy a family SUV from Jeep, rather than the dozens of other brands all occupying the market today.
It wouldn’t be the first choice for serious off-roaders, but the Jeep brand has the history and expertise that imbues even the largely road-biased Jeep Compass with the kind of authenticity you don’t get from say, a Nissan Qashqai.
The subtext is that the Qashqai probably makes a more sensible family car for those who don’t want to venture off road, but the Compass really isn’t bad in this respect, particularly since a range of updates in 2022 improved its quality and features. Jeep also added mild hybrid and plug-in hybrids, replacing the old petrol and diesels from the car’s 2018 launch.
The Compass isn’t a class-leader. It’s not as sophisticated as many of its rivals on the road, nor as refined, and the cabin isn’t spacious as some, though it’s comfortable. Pre-facelift models felt quite cheap inside, something improved in 2022, but all should be robust, and the later infotainment systems are actually pretty good. And of course, the Compass really is better off-road than most of its rivals.
The Nissan Qashqai is the biggest player in this market, but others you might consider include the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Kuga, Skoda Karoq, Peugeot 3008… the list is almost endless, particularly once you factor in some premium models too from the likes of Audi and BMW.
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If you can stretch to some of the later models (post 2022, ideally), then these are the Jeep Compass models to buy, mainly because of significant trim and equipment improvements. The latest hybrid models (both regular and plug-in) work well too, though the plug-in hybrid in particular was expensive when new, and is still the most expensive model to buy used too.
Of the older models we’d buck the usual trend for a car like this and opt for one of the Multiair petrol versions, which perform well in either power output and with either gearbox. The diesels work well enough, but they aren’t the most refined engines in their class, and bear in mind that their seemingly high economy figures reflect the older, less accurate testing methods. In terms of trim level, the Trailhawk is appealing for its off-road bias, but S trim has a long list of equipment that makes it a canny used buy.
While you may find other trim lines on older models (Sport and Longitude models have been offered in the past), the four trims listed below are the most recent models in the Compass lineup. Limited and High Altitude offer similar equipment while the S focuses more on luxury features and the Trailhawk, like other Jeep models, has an eye on off-road use.
The Jeep Compass’s dimensions are:
The Jeep Compass’s boot size is:
The two hybrid engines are classed as ‘alternative fuel vehicles’ by the Treasury so you’ll pay a slightly lower rate of £170 per year to tax them, compared to the £180 per year for petrol and diesel models. Do keep an eye out for the plug-in hybrid versions though, as the new list price of some of these creeps above the £40,000 mark that attracts a large VED surcharge, and a £560 annual bill from the second to sixth years of registration.
A mild hybrid Compass in Limited trim sits in insurance group 20, while a plug-in hybrid in either S or Trailhawk spec rises to group 31. Some earlier models sit in slightly lower insurance groups, but most fall into the 20-30 range. This is higher than you’ll find with something like a Nissan Qashqai, which goes from group 11 at the lowest level to group 26 at the top end.
Read our full Jeep Compass review