2007-2008 Jeep Compass: Road Test

Acceleration is adequate away from a stop and around town, but modest reserve power demands careful planning before passing or highway merging. Compasses made available for tests have periodically hesitated during acceleration, too. A test AWD Limited with manual transmission accelerated to 60 mph in a lackluster 9.3 seconds. Manual-transmission versions feel only slightly quicker than those with the CVT. One manual-shift test model suffered ragged clutch action. Fuel economy is on par for this class. Test AWD models with CVT have averaged 17.2 mpg in mostly city driving, and 22.4 to 24.4 mpg with more highway use. An AWD model with manual transmission averaged 19.1 mpg in tests that included gas-eating performance runs. Each Compass uses regular-grade gasoline. Comfortable and stable on the road, the Compass has a suspension that easily absorbs most imperfections. Some floatiness occurs over larger dips, as does jiggling over highway expansion joints. Little difference is evident between models with 17- and 18-inch tires. Accurate, natural-feeling steering helps give the Compass satisfactory road behavior. Slight wander in gusty crosswinds flaws an otherwise confident straight-line composure. The body leans moderately in corners, but while the Compass rides lower than most compact SUVs, it feels no more nimble. A large turning circle hurts close-quarters maneuverability. Brakes have good pedal feel. Somewhat quieter than the related Dodge Caliber, the Compass does emit unrefined engine growl during acceleration. Wind rush is decently squelched, but road noise is fairly prominent, especially at highway speeds. Gauges are easy to read. Large, simple audio and climate controls are within easy reach, though the manual transmission's shift lever can block access to climate dials. Available rear-facing fold-down speakers in the liftgate are a picnic bonus. Compass has not offered the Caliber's chilled glovebox compartment. Cabin decor is a tinge higher-grade than Caliber's, but still imparts a cut-rate feel with lots of hard plastic surfaces. Front headroom is generous. Seats are mounted higher in the Compass than the Caliber, expanding ample legroom. The available height-adjustable seat (if installed) is a boon for driver comfort, but still has not created ideal positioning for all test-drivers. Mounting a fold-out cell phone/MP3 player holder in the center console is a thoughtful touch, but it obscures the armrest and interferes with manual shifter use. Visibility to front corners and over-the-shoulder is impeded by thick roof pillars, and to the rear by headrests. Adult-size headroom and legroom should please backseat riders. However, the flat, soft seat lacks support and may prove uncomfortable on longer trips. Low step-in height is appealing, but narrow door openings hinder entry/exit. Cargo space is enhanced by the flat-folding front-passenger seat. Unlike Dodge's Caliber, rear seatbacks fold completely flat. When open, the hatch barely clears the head of six-footers. The handy load-floor liner removes for easy cleaning. Decent interior storage is helpful, though door map pockets are too small to be really useful.

Value for the Money
Jeep entered uncharted territory with the Compass, its first modern SUV to lack all pretense of off-road prowess-a longtime tradition for Jeep fans. Compared with others in its league, Compass lacks the overall refinement of a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, especially in interior decor. Fuel economy is good for this class, but the four-cylinder engine feels underpowered and coarse. Compass makes sense as a functional wagon for people who crave Jeep style but don't need go-anywhere Jeep capability. For most other shoppers, better alternatives can be found.