You'll be forgiven if you thought this all-new Jeep Compass was new for 2018, because that's what we thought, too. In fact, however, when Jeep began selling its new compact crossover in early 2017, it made the curious decision to sell it alongside the old version as a 2017 model.
That means the Compass is not new for 2018 but instead gets just a few updates, all of which are part of the SiriusXM suite of driver assistance apps available in cars with the optional navigation system. These include a vehicle finder, SOS call, roadside assistance, travel link and traffic information.
Compass comes in a tight range of four trim levels (Sport, North, Limited and Trailhawk), all of which use a 2.4L four-cylinder engine (180 hp, 175 lb-ft of torque) that can be had with front- or all-wheel drive and six- or nine-speed transmissions.
The front-drive Sport model is the only one that comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, which can be optioned to the six-speed auto and the nine-speed when you choose 4x4 traction; the Limited and Trailhawk are standard with 4x4 and the nine-speed.
This is no simple restyling exercise applied to an outgoing model: the new Compass's larger dimensions help this crossover look more sophisticated and offer interior space to better compete with vehicles Jeep considers its direct competitors, like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Equinox. The Compass's accommodations are also helped by an attractive interior design that apes the look of the larger Cherokee.
Standard kit in the Sport trim includes manual six-way adjustable front seats, push-button start, air conditioning, 16-inch steel wheels, and Uconnect infotainment with a five-inch touchscreen.
North trim adds engine auto stop/start, 17-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlights and cornering fog lights, passive keyless entry, satellite radio, ambient LED interior lighting and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
Limited models get 18-inch wheels, seven-inch customizable gauge cluster display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, backup camera, 12-way power driver's seat, rain-sensing wipers, windshield wiper de-icer and 8.4-inch Uconnect display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
Finally, the Trailhawk trades some the Limited's upscale appearance bits for improved off-road ability brought by 17-inch wheels with off-road tires, low-range gearing, Selec-Terrain drive modes, skid plate shields for the fuel tank, transfer case, transmission and front suspension, off-road suspension and tow hooks.
A backup camera is an option in Sport and North trims; North, Limited and Trailhawk models can be had with leather seating, navigation and a panoramic sunroof and a power tailgate; and the Sport, North and Trailhawk are available with a cold-weather package.
Fuel consumption estimates for the most efficient Compass are 10.4/7.3 L/100 km (city/highway), figures that put this redesigned model a long way from the efficiency leaders in its class.
