Driving Impressions : 2020 Jeep Compass Latitude 4X4

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

Driving Impressions refers the reader to our earlier review of the 2017 Jeep Compass. Not much has changed; inside and out, one would be hard pressed to distinguish the 2020 Compass from the introductory 2017 model. Option groups have been shuffled, a few more safety features and trims can be ordered at the bottom of the line and editions have been added. Jeep has been paying a bit more attention to other models dramatically improving its Wrangler and introducing the Gladiator pickup.

The compact SUV has certainly been a success for Jeep with 171,167 Compasses sold in 2018 and another 141,934 units sold in 2019. The figures do not match the industry leading Toyota which sold 427168 and 448068 Rav4s in the same two years respectively. Nor do they match the mid pack Ford which sold 272,228 and 241,387 Escapes in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The Compass in its popular four-wheel drive configuration is a niche car attracting a loyal following which choose to find its off-road capability in no other similarly priced, appointed, and sized vehicles.

Driving Impressions continues to recommend the Compass. It's attractive, having the façade of a shrunken Grand Cherokee. The Latitude tested was well appointed with padded vinyl surfaces and supportive vinyl and fabric seats. The low-profile console allowed plenty of knee room and made the interior feel a bit more spacious. Six footers were comfortable in back. Behind was a generous 27.2 cubic feet of space accessed by a manual liftgate. The cargo area could easily be enlarged to 60 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats folded.

Our test vehicle was fitted with Continental ProContacts, an all-season tire type known for noise reducing technology. The Jeep rode more quietly than many higher priced compact SUVs. Its steering was quick and direct though some of the artificial resistance felt at speed seemed unnecessary. Body lean was less than expected.

All Compass models are powered by a 2.4 liter fuel injected inline four producing 175 ft.-lbs. of torque and 180 horsepower. A six-speed manual is standard. An optional six speed automatic is mated to front wheel drive models. Nine speed automatics are joined to the 4x4's. There's room for improvement. Even with the stop/ start disabled (by a console switch) the Compass lumbers from the start and under hard acceleration, engine and transmission seem not to act in concert. The situation improves little with the Jeep in motion. Passing and freeway merging require forethought. The best 0-60 iPad reading was 9.1 seconds.

Combining a variety of option packages as listed below nets a lot of safety tech including blind spot detection, forward collision warning with brake assist, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, lane departure warning with lane keep assist and rear cross path detection. The optional Bi-xenon headlamps cast a long beam. A Driving Impressions favorite device, a surround view camera system, is unavailable in the Compass.

FCA products are famous for their well-developed Uconnect system. Graphics are excellent. Responses to voice and touch were quick and accurate. And there's huge functionality within, including smart phone mirroring. Set your wipers for rain sensing, adjust headlight sensitivity to oncoming traffic, or have your parking brake activate automatically when your transmission is shifted to the park position – all possible. And there are real supplemental buttons, knobs and switches to control the radio, heater and more.

If straight line performance is your goal, the Compass is not your car. For most other buyers, a list price of less than $35000 can net advanced safety features and infotech in a nimble and comfortable compact SUV that's considered a class leader in off road capability. And at mid model year there are significant price incentives.

blind spot detection, park sense + lane 'keep', adaptive cruise, forward braking drivers seat, remote start+

Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD

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