2011 Jeep Compass

Jeep now offers the compass in three basic trims with two drivetrain options, the FWD being standard and 4WD being the optional one. The base trim covers most of the functionality part well and while the Latitude trim adds quite a few convenience features, most of the premium features are reserved only for the Limited trim. Additional features and options packages can also be added to better spec the SUV to suit individual tastes and needs. 

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Although the base trim is very specced for its price, it is suggested to better opt for the top-of-the-line Limited trim as it offers all the features that Jeep has to offer along with a more powerful engine and yet keeps the prices on par with its rivals. If venturing into the unknown is regular for you, opting for the 4WD should be a smart choice. 

The 2011 Compass is available with two powertrain options. The lower trims are offered with a 2-liter four-cylinder unit that produces a humble 158 hp and 141 lb-ft while the top-end Limited trim features a more powerful 2.4-liter engine which is rated at 172 hp and 165 lb-ft. The base engine is paired up with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission while the larger engine comes mated only with the CVT. Both send power to the front wheels as standard and can be had with Jeep’s Freedom Drive I 4WD drivetrain. 

Performance from the underpowered base engine is lackluster as it offers a painstakingly slow acceleration and needs well over 10 seconds to achieve 60 mph on the gauge cluster. The more powerful engine too does not offer much performance, shaving off only less than a second in the 0-60 mph run. That being said, when locked in 4WD, the Compass can send 60 percent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels for better off-road traction while the Freedom Drive II Off-Road package includes a low-range mode which further improves mobility. 

The 2011 Jeep Compass is much more affordable than all its rivals by a huge margin which makes it stand out from the crowd of compact SUVs. That being said, the lower engine output translates to the slowest straight acceleration performance in this comparison. The Ford Escape and Nissan Murano are both priced similar to one another and also have very similar performance to offer as well. The RAV4 on the other hand is the costliest but is also the quickest off the line. 

The base engine of the Jeep Compass is pretty frugal due to the low-performance nature and hence returns a pretty solid 25 mpg of combined fuel economy. The more powerful engine is rated for 21/25/23 mpg in city/highway/combined conditions. Opting for the 4WD drivetrain reduces the efficiency by 1 mpg in each aspect for both engines. The biggest caveat here is the surprisingly small 13.6-gallon fuel tank that limits the maximum driving range to just about 350 miles, that too with the more efficient base engine.

Almost all the compact SUVs in this segment are frugal in nature to attract budget-minded buyers. Hence, except for the Toyota RAV4, all the other SUVs here have pretty identical fuel economy figures. Toyota’s RAV4 has a marginally higher fuel consumption. The Ford Escape employs a much larger gas tank which aids it in offering a class-leading driving range, while both the Japanese counterparts have similar ranges due to their identical fuel tank capacities. 

The new and improved cabin available this year is a much-needed respite from the rudimentary and cheap one that was on offer with the previous generation model. There is plenty of practicality about the cabin of the Compass, as it offers abundant storage bins and pockets but the overall seat comfort isn’t the greatest and needs a bit of an improvement. The reclining rear seat, premium leather upholstery, and silver interior accents all look particularly good here. 

There is no shortage of space inside the cabin of the 2011 Compass. There is plenty of headroom and legroom on offer for both the front and rear seat occupants. The luggage space at the back though is pretty limited when compared with its rivals and measures only about 22.7 cu-ft which can be extended to a maximum of 53.6 cu-ft by folding down the rear seat. The fold-flat functionality of the front seat allows transporting longer cargo items with relative ease. 

Although all the other SUVs in this segment offer better front legroom, there is no match to the rear seat legroom on offer in the 2011 Jeep Compass. The Toyota RAV4 is the best pick of the lot as it offers abundant space for both the passengers and their luggage. The Ford Escape has a pretty large boot on offer but the cramped rear seat spoils the party. The Nissan Rogue too has a tight rear seat on offer and has a trunk that is marginally smaller than the Escape. 

• 6-way power driver seat with lumbar adjust
• Heated front seats with active head restraints
• 60/40 split reclining rear bench seat
• Premium leather-trimmed front bucket seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
• Silver interior accents
• Automatic climate control
• Universal garage door opener

How intuitive is the 2011 Jeep Compass SUV’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system on offer in the 2011 Compass is very pretty basic and rudimentary, to say the least, and hasn’t changed much from the previous version model years. There is a 6-disc CD changer along with satellite radio functionality with its stereo system. The 4-speaker audio system does its job well and isn’t something worth noting but what is worth noting is the optional flip-down tailgate speakers for the ones who love having a bonfire partying in the middle of nowhere. 

• AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD/DVD/MP3 changer media center
• SIRIUS satellite radio with a 1-year subscription
• Audio input jack
• 4-speaker audio system

After receiving a lot of flak for looking too soft and unlike a traditional Jeep SUV in the past, the 2011 Jeep Compass takes a few cues from its elder sibling the Grand Cherokee and hence now looks attractive and very well proportionate. Although it isn’t a complete overhaul, the softened sheet metal and new front and rear-end styling does add gravitas to the Compass’ styling which might just do the trick for a few prospective buyers. 

Both the Nissan Rogue and the Toyota RAV4 are much larger SUVs in this comparison and yet do not match up to the space that is available inside a Compass. The Ford Escape is pretty much similar in terms of dimensions but weighs a lot more than the Compass. Both offer pretty similar ground clearances and so does the Rogue, while the RAV4 rides a bit lower to the ground.

• Halogen headlamps and Front fog lamps
• Fold-away heated power mirrors
• Liftgate door with body-color liftgate applique
• Body-color grille with chrome accent
• Bright side roof rails
• 18-inch aluminum wheels

In terms of safety, things do look a bit dicey as there are not many safety features and functions available with the Jeep Compass, but the positive fact is that all the available features are offered as standard. The fact that the NHTSA is yet to crash test the Compass and even the IIHS has rated it average in the limited tests conducted by them for the 2011 model year, will raise a few concerns in the minds of the anxious buyers.

• Electronic stability program with roll mitigation
• Driver/front passenger advanced multistage airbags with occupant sensors
• Front & rear side curtain airbags
• 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist
• Tire pressure monitoring display

The Jeep Compass has received a much needed mid-life facelift as Jeep has tried to address the long list of shortcomings that the Compass owners and experts had pointed out in the past. And although all these changes do make the 2011 Compass a much more rounded package, it still needs lots of tweaks to bring it on par with the segment standards. Therefore, unless you have a very tight budget or are a fan of the off-road abilities of Jeep, it is better to look elsewhere in the segment.