Picture Gallery: 2009 Jeep Compass Limited | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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As one would expect, the Compass has not had a complete makeover since 2007 — it was a new model then — but somewhat expected are a few tweaks made to improve the vehicle and make it more appealing to more people.
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The Compass comes equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 172hp. Standard equipment is a 5-speed manual transmission; my tester adds the $1,400 automatic transmission package, which is actually a Continually Variable Transmission (CVT), not the traditional automatic you may be accustomed to.
All Compass models are front wheel drive — the black sheep of the Jeep family (along with the Patriot) — but are available with an optional 4WD (Four-Wheel Drive) system that Jeep calls Freedom-Drive Iâ„¢: an active full-time four-wheel drive setup with an electronically-controlled coupling (ECC) and selectable 4WD lock feature.
2009 Jeep Compass Limited
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $28,260
For more information on Jeep and the Compass visit Jeep Canada
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I suppose it does have some nice points, like the heated seats, which provide two levels of heat and work fairly well; and the pen holder just in front of the shift lever is great for holding a pen! Seriously, though, Jeep has improved the interior from the 2007 model I drove two years ago.
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Front and rear seating is comfortable and fairly roomy for the size of this vehicle. This really is a car platform, as this is the only Jeep that is not trail rated, being built on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber. Its height and shape means ample elbow, leg and headroom both front and rear, even with the glass moonroof.
The seating position and large mirrors allow for good visibility all around while driving too, although I do find the A pillar a little intrusive, although it does not seem any larger than many vehicles I have driven. Perhaps I just need to adjust my seat a little more. The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope, unfortunately. All in all, the interior is much more livable than the 2007 I test drove; the little touches make such a huge difference.
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Although you don’t need the brakes until you get going, I want to talk about them first. It took me three days to really get an understanding of how I was going to explain them. They start off with what I would call “normal” or a “standard” feel to them: light pressure begins the slowing process as any driver would expect. It is the second phase of stopping that becomes a problem with the Compass.
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While the need to stop more quickly or to complete your gradual reduction in speed typically requires just that extra bit of pedal pressure, in the Compass it takes significantly more pressure than you would expect. As a result, it feels like you are just not going to stop! To overcome the sensation you, slam your foot to the floor and stop abruptly. I can’t seem to get it right; the pressure required is seemingly just too dramatic of a difference to stop smoothly.
As far as accelerating in concerned, thankfully that comes with much less drama… as you would expect. The 2.4-litre engine is adequate at moving the Compass, but coupled with the CVT, it just barely passes the “enough power” test. Acceleration is not brisk but drive sanely and everything is fine. If you need to get your kids to school in six seconds, though, you can forget it.
I also find the transmission slows the compass too quickly when lifting off the accelerator, which means needing to keep more pressure on the gas than you may expect. I find myself constantly traveling five to 10 km/h below the speed limit after coming to my cruising speed as it seems the Compass tends to lose momentum fairly quickly.
Handling is a surprising point of the Compass, though. It really does drive and feel like a small car despite its height and weight. Overall, I’d say I’m not excited about driving the Compass back and forth in my daily grind but it does the job and was able to easily carry my groceries home tonight with plenty of room to spare.
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Over the course of the week, I averaged 10.5L/100km. This surprised me, as in a compact SUV this is rather good, especially in the winter months. No doubt the CVT contributes to the easy-on-your-pocket-book fuel consumption.
The interior been improved since the Compass was first introduced, although not much else has changed over the same period. But if you are looking for a small car with a ‘Jeep’ image, the Compass could be what you are looking for, available at the low starting price of $16,895 — that’s a price that is hard to argue with!
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Jeep Compass Limited
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $28,260
For more information on Jeep and the Compass visit Jeep Canada
February 13, 2009, 02:07:40 pm Wow, this is one of the least, if not THE least, interest on a CTC Day-to-day review vehicle. I prefer the Patriot's design better, AND it can be Trailed-Rated (with freedom drive II, I think)
February 13, 2009, 02:45:12 pm wasn't the Patriot tho' BIgger as U say "SIR"....mucho cheaper than a Matrix.......Pomegranetes & Mangoes maybe?
February 13, 2009, 03:21:19 pm I'm just so underwhelm. I don't think anyone want this soft roader after reading that review. I really like jeeps, but this just sounds so awful. It just so blar..... It even made Wings blog blar.
February 13, 2009, 04:03:36 pm With so many good alternatives out there, why would anyone want one of these??
February 13, 2009, 04:10:23 pm ..someone MARRIED ME?
February 13, 2009, 04:13:06 pm
~16,000 starting price? The ability to get a Jeep for under $20,000 is prolly the only reason I could see. I know of one person who bought the Patriot pretty much bc it was a cheap jeep.
February 13, 2009, 06:44:29 pm I looked at the Compass and Patriot before buying my Rondo. They had some good ideas but the overall package was a let down and in my opinion I found the fit and finish very poor. I had also viewed the Caliber and Nitro (don't like those small windows) at the auto show before that and had the same opinion too. With nearly 16 months ownership on my Rondo, I don't regret my purchase, still solid with no squeaks or rattles, no mechanical problems and good mileage.
February 13, 2009, 09:30:08 pm
So how is the mileage with the 4 cylinder ? Your Rondo not the Jeep
February 13, 2009, 10:23:12 pm Looking at this picture
I'm wondering if golf clubs will fit width wise there.
February 14, 2009, 12:55:46 am This car seems very not indicated.
February 14, 2009, 09:11:42 am
So how is the mileage with the 4 cylinder ? Your Rondo not the Jeep
over a 14 month period that I tracked the mileage it ranged from a low of 26mpg (very bad winter conditions) to a high of 39mpg, average 31-32mpg. Very smooth and more powerful than the 2.8L V6 I had in my previous car.
February 14, 2009, 01:21:40 pm
I retch at the thought of the Compass, but it's twin sibling the Patriot, I understand the appeal, and here's why:
* Cheaper than the vast majority of compact cute utes.
* Far, far more rough-road capable than the vast majority of compact cute utes.
* Still has an available manual transmission, unlike the vast majority of compact cute utes.
* With that manual transmission, the four-cylinder Compass AWD gets marginally better fuel economy than an Impreza 2.5 5MT. Pretty respectable for a cute ute.
* Lifetime powertrain warranty (though I guess Canadians don't get that).
All that said, though, even in domestic-friendly southern Oregon, I've essentially never seen the Compass and Patriot around, especially compared to the Escape and the new Vue, which are around every corner.
February 15, 2009, 04:15:51 pm
In other words, a typical Chrysler product.
KenM
February 15, 2009, 06:55:46 pm
~16,000 starting price? The ability to get a Jeep for under $20,000 is prolly the only reason I could see. I know of one person who bought the Patriot pretty much bc it was a cheap jeep.
Price and Value again.
February 16, 2009, 07:28:21 am
So how is the mileage with the 4 cylinder ? Your Rondo not the Jeep
over a 14 month period that I tracked the mileage it ranged from a low of 26mpg (very bad winter conditions) to a high of 39mpg, average 31-32mpg. Very smooth and more powerful than the 2.8L V6 I had in my previous car.
Wow those are good figures; the impression I got from other forums was that the Rondo 4 cylinder was not economical. Good to know. How about the overall quality/driving characteristics? Sorry to derail the thread.
February 16, 2009, 08:08:06 am
So how is the mileage with the 4 cylinder ? Your Rondo not the Jeep
over a 14 month period that I tracked the mileage it ranged from a low of 26mpg (very bad winter conditions) to a high of 39mpg, average 31-32mpg. Very smooth and more powerful than the 2.8L V6 I had in my previous car.
Wow those are good figures; the impression I got from other forums was that the Rondo 4 cylinder was not economical. Good to know. How about the overall quality/driving characteristics? Sorry to derail the thread.
Really you should have this in another thread
February 16, 2009, 01:04:50 pm I had a look at a Patriot which is more or less the same vehicle as the Compass. The first thing that struck me when I got inside was the incredibly cheap-looking hard plastic interior. That and the hard-edged square styling is enough to put me off, never mind that Chrysler's immediate survival is a questionable prospect at best.
February 16, 2009, 02:19:29 pm BITE_ME Dash........tha Patriot is a fine deal............prolly cost less than half a Hybrid./CUV(Contrived undocumented Vehicle)....and can go where those posuers dare NOT.................
February 16, 2009, 03:33:33 pm Few years ago Chrysler was American car styling leader. I still do not understand how Jeep comes with this design. Their initial Compass concept from couple years ago was nicely shaped. Hope Canadian Driver has those images to show and to compare those two designs. Couple of my friends and me were impatiently waiting for Chrysler to start the production. Their choice was something what we see now. What a disappointment. No wonder they are in trouble. I know that people would say that we should not discuss about the taste and the tastes are different, but there are some basic aesthetic rules, which should be followed.
February 16, 2009, 03:57:08 pm
What model year? Remember:
I suppose it does have some nice points, like the heated seats, which provide two levels of heat and work fairly well; and the pen holder just in front of the shift lever is great for holding a pen! Seriously, though, Jeep has improved the interior from the 2007 model I drove two years ago.
In my review then ago I mentioned that the grey plastics were monotonous and that some material inserts in the door panels would do wonders. I didn’t get material inserts but I did get some type of rubbery / semi-soft plastic inserts, and a black dash rather than grey. To be honest, it makes a huge difference in the perceived quality and attractiveness of the interior.
February 17, 2009, 02:45:18 am
What model year? Remember:
I suppose it does have some nice points, like the heated seats, which provide two levels of heat and work fairly well; and the pen holder just in front of the shift lever is great for holding a pen! Seriously, though, Jeep has improved the interior from the 2007 model I drove two years ago.
In my review then ago I mentioned that the grey plastics were monotonous and that some material inserts in the door panels would do wonders. I didn’t get material inserts but I did get some type of rubbery / semi-soft plastic inserts, and a black dash rather than grey. To be honest, it makes a huge difference in the perceived quality and attractiveness of the interior.
It was an '08, I don't remember the model. IIRC the MSRP was around 21 grand if that helps. Chrysler's had a bad rep for cheap interior plastics for years. Any improvement here is a good thing but it's only incremental, and I think it's a little late for that.
February 17, 2009, 12:33:22 pm Co-worker's Patriot, a fwd 5-speed manual with the smaller engine, has so far :
- lost an electric window lift;
- needed 3rd and 4th gears replaced;
- needed a new windshield after oem cracked upon hitting a regular pothole.
February 19, 2009, 01:26:30 pm
- needed a new windshield after oem cracked upon hitting a regular pothole.
LOL! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I dont know, but hearing this made me laugh out loud to myself! Jesus... a regular ol' pothole made the front window smash! WOW. Wow.
February 19, 2009, 01:44:04 pm The Patriot/Caliber/Compass are all 'better than average" in the Consumer Reports surveys. Some of the few that rate that high for Chrysler.
February 20, 2009, 12:34:45 am This is a textbook case of how not to build a car in 2009. The consumer clearly needs and expects more than this. Starts at a nice price point but competitors clearly have the lead here. I am a HUGE fan of the old Jeeps but it they really need that wow factor again~