For decades, Jeep has been the go-to choice for any driver seeking off-road thrills. Jeep has earned a reputation for quality and reliability and is trusted by not only off-roaders but the everyday driver as well. With widespread popularity that stretched far behind a single dedicated group of drivers, Jeep was in a position to develop and produce new vehicles, one that would retain Jeep’s roots, yet much more family-oriented. One such vehicle was the Compass, which would enter the market back in 2006. For the next several years, the Compass would rise in popularity, seeing various iterations brought forward to the market with the release of the second generation, which brings us to where we are today. You may be wondering, is the new 2021 Jeep Compass for you? Let’s find out.
Trims and Configurations
The base 2021 Compass is the Sport and has a starting MSRP of $23,915. Fortunately for shoppers looking to save some cash, the Compass utilizes the same powertrain on every trim, meaning you won’t be sacrificing any potential performance gains by opting for the base Compass. Along with this, the base model also includes an immensely resourceful infotainment center. Opting for the next available trim known as the Latitude, your Compass will have an upgraded set of 17-inch wheels along with a leather steering wheel that grants a more luxurious feel, amongst other additions.
The Altitude is the next available trim, and with this trim, your wheels will be upgraded once again, this time to an 18-inch set. These wheels are glossy and black, lending to a very stand-out exterior as the roof shares the same color along with accents around the vehicle. The Altitude is certainly one of the more stunning-looking trims out of the available selection, and if the style of your vehicle is important to you, then it’s a fantastic choice. If you’re looking for an overall more luxurious experience, then you should certainly consider the next three trims.
The first of these three is the 80th Anniversary Edition, which sports 19-inch wheels, and limited edition seats within the interior, along with an upgraded infotainment center with an upgraded screen. This feature also makes its way over to the Limited, the next available trim, which also carries over the gloss black roof of the Altitude, along with heated leather seats within the cabin and a host of safety features. Lastly, the Trailhawk is the pinnacle of the Compass’ lineup and is the perfect choice for off-roaders thanks to an integrated Traction Management System. Additionally, the Trailhawk continues to use the same state-of-the-art infotainment center, including more advanced safety features such as Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Departure Warning, for example.
Does the 2021 Compass Perform Well?
Powering the 2021 Compass is one powertrain configuration. The engine that comes with the Compass is a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, which is rather straightforward as it can come paired with either a 6-speed or a 9-speed automatic transmission. For its size, this 4-cylinder engine is quite performant with 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque and is also reasonably fuel-efficient. With this engine equipped, Compass models with the right configuration can tow up to 2,000 lbs, greatly expanding cargo opportunities.
Driving the Compass for everyday travel and even taking long trips on the highway provides an exceptional experience and can save you money with how fuel-efficient it is. The EPA-estimated ratings that your Compass delivers will be dependent on if your vehicle has a FWD or AWD configuration, albeit both ratings are highly similar. With FWD, the Compass gets ratings of 22 MPG city and 31 MPG highway, and AWD configurations can achieve 22 MPG city and 30 MPG highway.
How Spacious is the Interior?
Inside of the 2021 Compass, you’ll find a seating capacity for five passengers. Folding down the rear-row of seats will reveal 59.8 cu.ft. of cargo space, which should be enough for large amounts of luggage for a road trip or can carry a large HD television from the store with ease. The spaciousness of the Compass’s interior also translates over to the user-experience. For example, when you’re sitting in the front row of the Compass, whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you can expect 39.2-inches of headroom along with an ample 41.8-inches of legroom. For backseat passengers, they’ll also be treated to a generous amount of space with 38.5-inches of headroom and 38.3-inches of legroom. With these measurements, you’ll find the interior of the Compass to provide enough room to feel comfortable without feeling cramped.
Interior Tech Features
There’s no denying that one of the most notable highlights of the Compass is its integrated infotainment center. As previously mentioned, there are two variations of this system, with the stock version including a 7-inch screen. Opting for a higher-tier trim will mean that this screen is swapped out for a larger 8.4-inch screen. These infotainment centers are treated to a robust feature set thanks in part to UConnect 4. Thanks to this software, the infotainment center inside of the Compass includes a wide range of amenities that plenty of shoppers will be searching for.
Some of the features that you can expect to find on the Compass as part of UConnect 4 include Bluetooth, so you can listen to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook directly from your smartphone onto the 6-speaker audio system built into the Compass. Also coming included with UConnect 4 is both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which allows you to connect your iPhone or Android phone and unlock a wealth of exciting new features.
Among these features, you can utilize navigational directions without an external subscription, along with accessing your contacts and sending phone calls and text messages safely by using your voice. Available features for the Compass include a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that will create a secure internet connection within your vehicle that travels with you. This network connection can support multiple devices at once, meaning the entire family can utilize the internet while on a road trip, for example.
Where to Find Your Compass
The Jeep Compass’ success is attributed to Jeep’s ability to produce high-quality automobiles, something that has been its strong-suit for many decades. Among the entire lineup of Jeep vehicles, the Compass achieves its goal of offering reliability and versatility with exceptional value. The 2021 Compass is the result of a well-built vehicle with over a decade of research and development behind it and is a highly recommendable choice to aspiring shoppers.
This excellent offering from Jeep perfectly fills the need for an exciting and innovative family SUV. The Compass stands out on the road as you drive through town in its unique styling. Also, don’t forget that this is a Jeep, which means it definitely has off-road chops. If you want Jeep power in a stylish exterior and unique design, then it’s time to find your way in the Jeep Compass. Simply put, the Compass is the best it’s ever been, and now is a great time to get started with finding your perfect model, which is as simple as locating your local Jeep dealer and making a visit.
