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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas Mileage2023 Jeep Compass: Compact Off-roader
What do our experts think of the 2023 Jeep Compass? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
2023 Jeep Compass – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2023 Jeep Compass on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Jeep Compass?
Following a comprehensive refresh last year, this 2023 Jeep Compass review is highlighted by a new standard turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder motor making 200 hp and 221 torques. Slotted between the automaker’s Renegade and Cherokee SUVs, the Compass offers a Trailhawk model that offers true off-roading capability.
This second-generation Compass comes with a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless integration for Apple and Android smartphones across the board. The revised exterior that arrived in 2022 gives this small Jeep a distinct Grand Cherokee vibe that is bolstered by the latest technology and advanced safety systems.
The Breakdown
Large infotainment screen
Standard 4WD
Latest advanced safety systems
Best tech requires a package
Nearly $45,000 fully loaded
Cherokee overlap
A crossover with off-road chops
2023 Jeep Specs
- 200 horsepower from base engine
- 221 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 27.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 59.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Highway Assist hands-free tech
- Wireless smartphone integration
- Trailer sway control is standard
- Three years of complimentary maintenance
2023 Jeep Compass Powertrain
Jeep simplifies and improves the 2023 Compass powertrain by offering a single setup. It consists of a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 rated for 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Power is routed to all four wheels as part of the full-time 4×4 Jeep Active Drive system that can disconnect the rear axles, as needed, in the name of efficiency. Exclusive to Trailhawk models is a low range that uses a 20:1 “crawler” gear and Rock driving mode to keep the Compass in first gear while routing torque to the wheels with the most traction.
All models ride on a fully independent suspension featuring a MacPherson strut design up front and Chapman struts out back. This rear suspension, named for Colin Chapman of Lotus fame, is attached to an isolated cradle with a geometry designed to allow nearly eight inches of articulation. This thoughtful setup allows every Compass to manage rougher roads than the average crossover. Though it’s the Trailhawk you’ll want for more aggressive plans as it adds a half-inch of ground clearance, knobby tires plus improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.
Towing & Payload
Jeep fits every 2023 Compass with trailer sway control, which you’ll be happy to have when hauling on the open road. However, that hauling capacity tops out at just 2,000 pounds. This allows for things like a small teardrop trailer or a couple of snowmobiles, but it requires the $925 Trailer Tow package that brings a wiring harness and Class III receiver hitch. For serious towing capacity, the V8-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee on this list of best SUVs is rated for 7,200 pounds.
2023 Jeep Compass Fuel Economy & MPG
Running on 87-octane, the 2023 Jeep Compass earns an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in city driving and 32 on the highway. Those figures aren’t bad, except in the face of competition like a Honda CR-V hybrid that sees 40/34 mpg in city/highway driving. Granted, the Honda won’t get you as far off-road but it sure will stretch a gallon of gas. It will be interesting to see if the Compass gains a plug-in hybrid option like its Wrangler 4xe stablemate to improve these numbers.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Last year’s comprehensive overhaul included upgraded cabin materials and a fresh design. This adds a distinctly upscale vibe to the Compass on models like the Limited with gray leather and stitched brown soft-touch panels on the doors and dash. Base models make do with cloth upholstery and though heated front seats are included on Latitude Lux trim and above, seat ventilation is not offered on any model.
The two-row Compass has room for five with rear legroom measuring 38 inches, which is two inches less than what a Honda CR-V can muster. That seat folds down in a 60/40 configuration opening up a maximum 60 cubic feet of storage space. With the seat upright, cargo room measures 27 cubic feet. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and heated steering wheel come with the Latitude Lux trim, but dual-zone automatic climate control requires at least a Limited model or optional package.
Jeep does offer a host of higher-end creature comforts and conveniences but they are generally behind an expensive package paywall. For instance, the Elite Group package adds driver-side memory settings, a hands-free liftgate, premium leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable passenger seat to the Limited model. But it’ll cost you $3,000.
Entertainment & Technology
Every 2023 Jeep Compass has a portrait-oriented 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other standard features include a Wi-Fi hotspot, a six-speaker stereo system, dual front USB ports, and a single port for rear passengers. Like the amenities, Jeep offers a host of fancy tech systems but they’re not cheap.
A $2,600 Sun & Sound package adds a panoramic moonroof and 9-speaker Alpine stereo, while the similarly priced Driver Assist Group brings a surround-view camera, self-parking technology, a wireless charging pad, and Jeep’s Highway Assist semi-autonomous driving tech. The top-spec High Altitude model is fairly loaded with built-in navigation and connected traffic, a fully-digital instrument panel, and the upgraded Alpine stereo.
Safety Features
The standard suite of driver-aids found across the 2023 Compass lineup consists of forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, and a lane-keeping system. A rear seat reminder and driver attention warning are also included. Adaptive cruise control is included on Limited models and above as is rear parking sonar. More complex systems like hands-free driving and self-parking require a package on higher-spec models. Though the 2023 Compass has not yet been tested, the IIHS gave the 2022 model a Top Safety Pick rating.
2023 Jeep Compass Trims & Pricing
Sport – $29,995
The base Compass features 17-inch alloy wheels and LED headlamps. Cabin upholstery is limited to black cloth only but the roster of technology includes a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple and Android smartphone mirroring, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 7-inch color multi-information display within the gauge cluster.
Latitude – $34,385
Along with heated side mirrors, Latitude trim adds cloth-and-leatherette upholstery with handsome blue stitching and a leather-wrapped shift lever.
Latitude Lux – $35,785
Latitude Lux models ride on 18-inch wheels with a dressed-up cabin that includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the option for more powerful LED headlights.
Altitude – $36,180
Along with gloss black exterior accents, a black-painted roof, and black-finished rims, Compass Altitude models have silver stitching on the, you guessed it, blacked-out cabin.
Limited – $37,090
Compass Limited offers a two-tone exterior paint finish and comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, and optional self-parking technology.
Trailhawk – $37,835
The Compass most likely to get Jeep fans fired up, Trailhawks boast a full complement of underbody skid plates, red tow hooks, hill descent control, and the ability to ford 19 inches of water.
(RED) – $39,530
When finished in Redline Pearl, this monochromatic model really looks the part. It includes red badging, a Willys (RED) decal, and even red mirror caps.
High Altitude – $40,430
High Altitude models sport 19-inch wheels, full LED lighting, a panoramic moonroof, and 9-speaker Alpine stereo. Tick all the option boxes for a nearly $45,000 price tag so consult the latest new car incentives first.
Warranties
Jeep’s warranty coverage is industry-average with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic term and five years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain. They do step up on complimentary maintenance, matching Hyundai with three years of coverage. Five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance is also part of the deal.
What We Think
2023 Jeep Compass – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2023 Jeep Compass on Carsforsale.com
Looking over this 2023 Jeep Compass review, it’s clear the automaker has taken steps to improve its long-running compact crossover. The potent new powertrain and standard 4WD are nice upgrades over previous models. And the mini–Grand Cherokee styling works well here. The fact that you can get modern systems like hands-free driving and self-parking adds to the appeal of the standard 10-inch touchscreen.
However, the price tag for all this is harder to swallow when you consider the larger Cherokee offers more power and space for similar money. Given the innate off-road capability built into every 2023 Compass, I would go all out, buy a Trailhawk, and cut loose on the nearest unpaved surface I could find.
