With just 766 units sold in 2022 (two more than 2021, it should be noted), the Jeep Compass is the lowest-selling vehicle in its category in Quebec. This is about the only feat he can achieve.
Slightly revised for the 2022 model year, it inherits new mechanics for 2023. The Car Guide traveled to California to test the 2023 Jeep Compass on and off-road. Here’s the full review of our first impressions.
Goodbye Tigers!
Launched in 2017, the second-generation Compass was previously powered by the antiquated 180 hp, 175 lb-ft naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine. Technically completely outdated, it was noisy and lacked sophistication. For 2023, the Compass gets a supercharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine.
Photo: Germain Goyer
This produces 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Technically nothing really revolutionary. This is a well-known engine at Stellantis. as it is used in the Cherokee in particular. However, Scott Tallon, director of the Jeep brand, told us that he decided to derate the power in order to achieve respectable fuel economy and achieve the ideal balance.
In the past, the Compass was entitled to a nine-speed gearbox (six on the base front-wheel drive version, which is dropped). These two boxes were replaced by an eight-speed automatic transmission. It works quite well and smoothly.
It should also be noted that a rechargeable hybrid is being marketed in other markets. Given the success Jeep is seeing with the Wrangler 4xe and the buzz surrounding the Grand Cherokee 4xe, everything leads us to believe that a Compass 4xe could charm certain Quebec buyers. Ah, we must deprive ourselves of it!
Photo: Germain Goyer
The brand’s administrators refuse to state their intentions to market such a version in North America. So there is no sign of electrification in the short term, which we regret. Remember that Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4 all offer electrified variants in a segment where competition is stiff.
Inside
Given that the Compass’ cabin was refreshed in 2022, not much has changed for 2023. Without being great, it’s acceptable as a presentation. Depending on the version selected, the driver has digital 10.25-inch instruments in front of them. In the center of the dashboard is a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 technology – a system that remains as efficient as ever.
Of course we sit well in the front, but we quickly feel cramped. The space between driver and passenger seemed cramped to us. Note that tall people may find the rear headroom insufficient.
Photo: Germain Goyer
Still between two categories
Above we mentioned that the Compass is the least sold in its category. Let’s have a sip of coffee and analyze it all briefly, because in our opinion the Compass suffers from the same problem as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. It extends over two segments. The Renegade is a subcompact SUV. The Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV. What is the Jeep Compass? An SUV between two categories.
Ditto for the Eclipse Cross, wedged between the RVR (subcompact) and the Outlander (compact). This means that the Compass cannot be competitive in the small car segment due to its price, but it is also not attractive in the compact segment.
And that’s not all, because Dodge is about to land with the Hornet, which will nebulously position itself somewhere in the middle…
Photo: Germain Goyer
What about off-road driving?
A small sandy, rocky, muddy course characterized by a large drop allowed us to test the Compass’s off-road capabilities. While we haven’t scaled the world’s greatest rocks, it’s still been a journey that the majority of Wrangler buyers will never venture down.
With the stock tires that hadn’t even been deflated for the practice, it was impressive how easy the little Compass Trailhawk could handle. Its tires were definitely its biggest flaw, otherwise it could sneak almost anywhere. On the road, we also found the ride to be generally taut.
At the end of our test, carried out under what were considered optimal conditions, the on-board computer showed a value of 9 L/100 km. For its part, Natural Resources Canada announces a value of 8.8 L/100 km in combined driving. For the 2022 model year, the federally announced power rating was 9.5 L/100 km for the Compass 4X4. For our part, after more than 500 kilometers at the wheel of the Compass 2022, we had obtained a consumption of 10 L/100 km.
Photo: Germain Goyer
How much does it cost?
Right from the start, let’s specify that for 2023 the Compass comes standard with the 4X4 drivetrain. It’s an essential element of wearing the Jeep crest, right? Until last year, this identity-seeking SUV could be ordered in the base Sport version in a front-wheel drive version. This has been removed from the catalog.
In Canada, the Compass starts at $35,495, which is a jump of about $2,000 from the previous model. For the mid-range version Altitude you pay 41,895 US dollars. Then at the top of the range is the Limited version for $43,395. To these amounts must be added freight and preparation costs ($2,095) and taxes.
Unfortunately, we could not obtain any further data on financing and leasing.
Photo: Germain Goyer
In summary
Having covered more than a hundred kilometers at the wheel of the Compass 2023, we have to admit that this new mechanism is welcome. But what we really want is hybrid technology. And unfortunately we still have to do without that.
Not very many consumers choose the Compass and we understand that. Its added value compared to other vehicles in the segment is small. The compass has never been part of our recommendations in this niche and we maintain our position despite the changes made to the 2023 model.
If, despite everything, you have a soft spot for this vehicle, we advise you not to go too much into the upper class and to be content with a cheap variant.