2018 Jeep Compass

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Rating6.7

Ranked #11 in 

Compact SUV
Write Review
$20,995 - $29,095
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on May 3, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Updated infotainment interface

Lacks some standard safety features

Limited trim now comes with FWD setup

Composed handling dynamics

Lacks in cargo capacity front

Trailhawk trim comes pretty feature equipped

Sluggish powertrain

Lacks a bit on comfort

Specs & Features

$20,995

price

180 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

175 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

2.4L 4cyl FWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

After a brief redesign last year, the 2018 Jeep Compass is making its way for another stint this year, although with minor changes this time around. Resembling the Grand Cherokee in terms of exterior design layout, the Compass also has a much more premium and feature-packed interior setup for a very consumer-friendly price tag of MSRP $20,995. The Compass has scored some pretty good safety scores over the years, and now to keep it at pace with the rivals, Jeep has added more standard safety tech throughout the trim lineup.

Built for comfort, the Jeep compass slots itself between the smaller Renegade and the large Cherokee. The trims that are available for sale include Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk editions. Also, running point on the performance front of the 2018 Compass is a 180 hp 2.4L NA Inline-4 engine, coupled to either a 6-speed or a 9-speed AT unit.

Buying Advice

The base trim is euqipped with a decent list of standard features but we would suggest you to choose the Latitude trim. If you are going to use your Jeep Compass mostly in urban conditions then FWD wouldn't be an issue. Opt for a Four-Wheel-Drive, if you plan to do offroading.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The Jeep Compass is a compact crossover, that is widely known for its agility and impressive practicality. It gets some of Jeep's finest and impressive technological features. Out of all the trims, the intelligent Trailhawk edition is claimed to be top spec and fun-to-drive trim. Coming to the exterior front, the front fascia looks similar to the Cherokee, which gives it an urban outlook. Moreover, Jeep has offered numerous packages to maintain the comfort level with the Compass. Also to at least be even relevant in this segment, the 2018 Jeep Compass has to go through rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and the Ford Escape.

Features
8.0/10

The 2018 Jeep Compass comes in over 4 trim levels, which are carried over from the 2017 Compass model. The trims offered are- Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with prices starting from an MSRP of $20,995, and going all the way up to $28,695 for the top-most Trailhawk trim. All of the said trims are powered by a 2.4-liter engine that is capable of delivering 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. All of the said trims are filled up to the brim with the best-in-class features, although as you go up the trim table, the features also increase in their premium quotient.

Trims Sport Latitude Limited Trailhawk
MSRP (FWD) $20,995 $24,295 $27,595 -
MSRP (AWD) $22,495 $26,495 $29,095 $28,695
Features 16-Inch x 6.5-Inch Styled Black Steel Wheels. Premium Cloth / Vinyl Bucket Seats. Uconnect 4 with an 8.5-inch touchscreen display 17-inch wheels with off-road-oriented tires
  Cloth Bucket Seats. Leather-wrapped steering wheel Automatic dual-zone climate control Selec-Terrain system
  Uconnect 3 with 5-Inch touchscreen Display. 17-Inch x 7-Inch Silver-Painted Aluminum Wheels 18-Inch x 7-Inch Polished Gray Pocket Alum Wheels Premium Cloth / Leather-Trimmed Bucket seats.
  6-speaker sound system Keyless ignition and entry Heated front seats Xenon headlights

We Recommend

The best trim in this class would have to be the off-road friendly Trailhawk trim, which would set you back by around $28,695. Available in AWD setup as standard, the Trailhawk is meant to do off-road things. Plus the extra packages Jeep has on offer is only the icing on the cake, with the feature list the Compass delivers.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The 2018 Jeep Compass delivers an EPA standard of 23 MPG in the city and 32 MPG out on the highway. This is with the standard 6-speed manual setup with the FWD option. Opt for the AWD setup, and the Compass does 22 and 31 MPG in the city and highway respectively. What the Jeep Compass lags in terms of outright performance duties, it more or less makes up for it in terms of decent fuel economy figures.

Model 2018 Jeep Compass 2018 Ford Escape 2018 Honda CR-V 2018 Toyota RAV4
Mpg city 23 21 26 23
Mpg highway 32 29 32 30
Mpg combine 26 24 28 26
Fuel Capacity 13.5 gallons 15.7 gallons 14.0 gallons 15.9 gallons

Opting for the 6-speed automatic transmission, the 2018 Compass is rated for 23 MPG in the city and 31 miles to the gallon out on the highway. The 9-speed automatic, on the other hand, even if only paired with the AWD setup delivers 22 and 30 MPG in the city and highway respectively. Further Start/ Stop functions also do their part in shutting off the engine to conserve fuel.

Interior
6.0/10

The 60/40-split rear seats fold down nearly flat, and the armrest bin and glovebox are well sized for your personal items. The door pockets can accommodate larger water bottles, and the cupholders do an effective job of holding bottles and cups firmly in place — Edmunds

2018 Jeep Compass Interior Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Jeep Compass is capable of providing comfortable accommodation to five average-sized passengers. Although having said that, the rear cabin space is evidently quite cramped for long journeys. The low headroom also turns out to be just a bit claustrophobic while taking on long journeys. Cloth upholstery in the lower trims, whereas good bolstered leather seats for the higher trims, make the 2018 Compass a premium yet comfortable offering.

Going up the trim ladder, the front seats are 6-way power-adjustable, whereas the rear seats are just 4-way adjustable. both heated and ventilating functions are standard from the base up. The interior dashboard as a whole is made of cheap plastic components but nevertheless has a premium feel to it. Coming onto the competition, practicality-wise, the Honda CR-V definitely takes the cake here, with the best-in-class cabin room.

Model 2018 Jeep Compass 2018 Ford Escape 2018 Honda CR-V 2018 Toyota RAV4
Passenger capacity 5 5 5 5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.) 39.2/56.7/41.8 39.9/56/43.1 40.1/57.9/41.3 39.8/57.3/42.6
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.) 38.5/55.1/38.3 39/55.3/36.8 39.2/55.6/40.4 38.9/55.4/37.2

Some of the interior features included with the 2018 Compass are-

  • Simulated Leather seat upholstery
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Power liftgate
  • Sunroof

2018 Jeep Compass Infotainment

The 2018 Jeep Compass comes equipped with the latest Uconnect interface, which is quite intuitive to use. The base trims get a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim is treated with an 8.4-inch one. The system has been updated for faster and better performance with superior graphics. The driver-centric dashboard with the touchscreen infotainment unit now gets both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Some of the standard infotainment features included with the 2018 Compass are-

  • Bluetooth
  • 2 USB ports
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Android Auto
  • Navigation system
  • 9-speaker Beats premium audio system
  • Upgraded driver information display

2018 Jeep Compass Cargo Space

The 2018 Jeep Compass has 27.2 cu. ft of cargo space behind the rear seats of the 2018 Jeep Compass. Fold the seats down in a 60/40 manner, and that space increases to 59.8 cu. ft. Practicality takes a back seat in the Jeep Compass, and that very same reason makes it stand last in the cargo department. The automated rear liftgate option is a boon while loading and unloading items off the boot.

Model 2018 Jeep Compass 2018 Ford Escape 2018 Honda CR-V 2018 Toyota RAV4
Cargo Volume (ft. cube) (w/Rear seats folded) 59.8 67.8 75.8 73.4
Cargo Volume (ft. cube) (Behind 2nd Row) 27.2 34.0 39.2 38.4

Although the higher cargo floor makes it all the more difficult to do the same. Coming inside the cabin, there are plenty of interior storage spaces inside, for all your belongings for when you venture for that long-overdue holiday. The practicality king- the Honda CR-V aces this one too.

Exterior
7.0/10

The 2018 Jeep Compass looks like a smaller Grand Cherokee, which is welcome to our eyes - Edmunds

The 2018 Jeep Compass' exterior design silhouette is about the only thing that is going for it. It comes with an aggressive front fascia which comprises of the seven-slot grille and gets a design treatment that matches the outline of the Jeep family. The look gets bolder with the metallic trim. The side profile looks neat throughout. The rear comes with a thick roof pillar while the roofline tapers down to the back slightly to the rear end.

If you are looking for a more adventurous Compass model then the Trailhawk trim with the shiny black paint with the silver-toned body will be a great choice. The base trims are plain and need an optional package with alloy wheels and a roof rack to look distinguished. 17-inch aluminum wheels are standard, while 19-inch alloys with all-terrain tires can be had with the Trailhawk trim.

Model 2018 Jeep Compass 2018 Ford Escape 2018 Honda CR-V 2018 Toyota RAV4
Curb weight(lbs) 3184 3552 3307 3455
Length(in) 173.0 178.1 180.6 183.5
Width(in) (w/o mirror) 73.8 72.4 63 72.6
Height(in) 64.6 66.3 66.1 67.1
Ground clearance(in) 7.8 7.8 7.8 6.1
Wheelbase(in) 103.8 105.9 104.7 104.7
Track width(in) F/R 60.7/60.3 61.5/61.6 63/63.7 61.8/61.8

The exterior features of the 2018 Jeep Compass are-

  • 18-inch wheels
  • 17-inch alloys with off-road-oriented tires
  • Red tow hooks
  • Xenon headlights
  • Power Liftgate
  • Roof rails

Safety
4.0/10

Jeep has updated the safety quotient of the 2018 Compass, by adding in the latest in terms of advanced driver-assistance tech. One of the safest vehicles in the compact crossover segment, the 2018 Compass gets a 4 on 5-star rating from the NHTSA, while the IIHS  honors it with the Top Safety Pick award in terms of crashworthiness. Further Advanced Safety and Lighting packages are also offered as optional extras with the Compass. The missing fitment on the Compass is Adaptive cruise control. Rivals like Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have made some major features standard while the Compass feels too new to adopt the same.

Some of the standard active and passive safety features on offer are-

  • Standard rearview camera
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keep assist and rear parking sensors.
  • Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning

Competition
7.0/10

2018 Jeep Compass Vs 2018 Ford Escape

Ford Escape might be the only compact crossover in this class that makes the Jeep Compass look good. For a consumer-friendly price tag, the Escape offers a decent powertrain, which although lags on the power front, more than makes up for it on the fuel economy front.

Coming to the interior, the Compass might deliver a more upscale cabin, but the infotainment interface used by the Jeep is the best in the business.

2018 Jeep Compass Vs 2018 Honda CR-V

There seems to be no area wherein the Jeep Compass can match up to the Honda CR-V. The best-selling Honda CR-V for under 30 grand offers a multitude of perks, the likes of which renders it the best-in-the-business tag.

Although, when it comes to off-roading capabilities, the Jeep Compass aces this segment with flying colors, especially the latest Trailhawk trim.

Final Verdict

The 2018 Jeep Compass should turn out to be quite an interesting buy. Prospective buyers would be in a dilemma as to whether to choose the practicality of the other crossovers over the outright off-road capabilities of the Compass, for around the same price range. With an upscale interior setup, and an appealing exterior front to match that, the 2018 Compass is definitely worth your time.

Trims

    Sport
    $20,995 onwards
    • 16-Inch wheels
    • Air-Conditioning
    • Bluetooth connectivity
    • Manual front air conditioning
    • Six-Speaker sound system
    • Uconnect system w/ 5-inch touchscreen displa
    Latitude
    $24,295 onwards
    • Cloth and simulated leather seat upholstery
    • Keyless ignition and entry
    • Leather-Wrapped steering wheel
    Altitude
    $25,490 onwards
    • Engine: 2.4L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 180 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 175 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 120 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg
    Limited
    $27,595 onwards
    • 8.5-Inch Uconnect touchscreen display
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Automatic dual-zone climate control
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Power driver seat
    • Upgraded driver information display
    Trailhawk
    $28,695 onwards
    • 17 inch polished w/painted accents aluminum Wheels
    • Off-Road-Oriented tires

Compare to similar cars

Price

$20,995- $29,095

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.65

Horsepower

180 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

175 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

Capacity

5

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Gasoline

6.97

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

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6.48

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192 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

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Gasoline

6.79

170 hp @ 5600 rpm

203 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

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Gasoline

6.49

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

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$22,995- $34,895

Gasoline

5.5

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

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Gasoline

6.79

160 hp @ 5500 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

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Gasoline

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Gasoline

6.87

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

170 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

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$29,000- $47,020

Gasoline

7.82

193 hp @ 6300 rpm

188 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

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2018 Jeep Compass vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.2 sec16.2 sec120 mph
    6.8 sec--
    7.8 sec16.0 sec120 mph
    7.9 sec--
    8 sec16 sec115 mph
    8 sec16.1 sec120 mph

    2018 Jeep Compass vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      22 mpg32 mpg26 mpg13.5 gal.310.5/432 mi.Jeep USA
      52 mpg49 mpg50 mpg11.9 gal.618.8/583.1 mi.
      34 mpg30 mpg32 mpg14.8 gal.503.2/444 mi.
      29 mpg34 mpg31 mpg12.7 gal.368.3/431.8 mi.
      27 mpg33 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/435.6 mi.
      26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg14.5 gal.377/478.5 mi.

      2018 Jeep Compass vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        173 in.73.8 in.64.6 in.7.8 in.103.8 in.Jeep USA
        193.6 in.75.4 in.66 in.7.2 in.112.5 in.
        192.4 in.72.2 in.66.6 in.7.2 in.113.8 in.
        189.8 in.76.5 in.69.3 in.8.6 in.114.8 in.Jeep USA
        189.6 in.72.4 in.66.1 in.8.7 in.108.1 in.
        187.4 in.74.4 in.66.3 in.7.3 in.109.4 in.

        2018 Jeep Compass vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          27.2 cu.ft.99.6 cu.ft.59.8 cu.ft.Jeep USA
          10.3 cu.ft.128.2 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.
          30.9 cu.ft.103.6 cu.ft.59.6 cu.ft.
          24.6 cu.ft.105.4 cu.ft.100.7 cu.ft.Jeep USA
          26.9 cu.ft.100.6 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.
          20.9 cu.ft.91.1 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.

          2018 Jeep Compass vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            -27.2 cu.ft.59.8 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            89.7 cu.ft.26.9 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.74 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.20.9 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.-
            54.5 cu.ft.19.4 cu.ft.54.5 cu.ft.-
            9.6 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.79 cu.ft.98 ft.
            12.5 cu.ft.18.5 cu.ft.50.8 cu.ft.-Jeep USA

            2018 Jeep Compass vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2000 lbs.1067 lbs.3184 lbs.Jeep USA
              9300 lbs.1233 lbs.3056 lbs.Jeep USA
              8600 lbs.1031 lbs.2809 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4513 lbs.Jeep USA
              6200 lbs.835 lbs.3300 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1018 lbs.3237 lbs.

              2018 Jeep Compass SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              6

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              908

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

              0-60 : 8.2 sec

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              2018 Jeep Compass User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              LB

              Leonard Boris

              2019 Jeep Compass

              Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: August 24, 2024

              Great small Suv

              Pros - ["Low maintenance", "Leather heated seats", "Auto power windows"]

              Cons - ["Start stop", "Two batteries", "Hard to get to cabin filter"]

              Not a bad vehicle 4 wd works great . Electric braking system is a plus . Auto start with winter package is a major plus . Handles great in all weather conditions. Comfortable seat design. All weather rubber mat's.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              Lm

              Lisa mcgirt

              2019 Jeep Compass

              Sport 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 28, 2024

              I would not buy again

              Pros - [""4 wheel dr"", ""Seat warmers""]

              Cons - [""Drive shift"", ""Overall sound of car""]

              In my personal opinion, I would not buy the new jeeps. The jeeps in the early 2000s we're a 100% better.The performance is not good. They run loud and sound terrible.I'm ready to take a loss trading it in.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review