Jeep Compass 2021 review: S-Limited

How does it look?

Like a mini Grand Cherokee, with wide, rough grille and a square-ish shape that actually suits the Compass, I’m not usually a fan of square rides but this works. And there’s the two tone, which also looks good on a Jeep. 

Inside looks good. I do feel like they’re playing on their reputation for tough and rugged cars where it makes more sense to have an old-school, non-digital display in front of the steering wheel, rather than make it super modern.

You can option two tone paint on the Compass.

It suits the feel of the car but I wonder if you jumped into a competitor with more tech you wouldn’t go for that one. 

The seats are leather and there’s also a leather steering wheel. The centre console is nicely designed with well thought out placement of buttons and knobs. The screen fits neatly inside the dash which I always appreciate rather than sticking out of the top. It feels good to sit in this car. 

Inside plays on Jeep's reputation for tough and rugged cars.

How does it drive?

It drives well and there’s nothing particularly wrong with it, however I did find the steering slightly heavy for this size car.

I can understand that on a large car, but on a small SUV I would like to feel as though I could zip around town. Things take a little longer to move in here. 

The 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder produces 129kW/229Nm.

There’s a 2.4L engine which gives plenty of power for this size car so you’ll easily zoom up hills and coast along highways. It’s an AWD which means you’ll get good traction on slippery road surfaces like heavy rain, gravel, dirt or snow. There is a 2WD option in the range if this is not on your must-have list. 

Parking is relatively easy given the compact size of the Compass and the heavy-ish steering doesn't stop you from squeezing into a car space. There’s a reverse parking camera to help you out. 

Explore the 2020 Jeep Compass Range

Jeep Compass 2021 review: Night Eagle Jeep Compass 2021 review: S-Limited Jeep Compass 2022 review: Trailhawk Jeep Compass Limited 2018 review: snapshot Jeep Compass Limited petrol 2018 review Jeep Compass Longitude 2018 review: snapshot Jeep Compass Sport 2018 review: snapshot Jeep Compass Trailhawk 2018 review

How spacious is it?

Here’s a bonus point for the Compass: I didn’t actually realise this was a compact SUV when I first saw it. It has enough interior space that it’s creeping up to a mid-size.

Which is how you want your compact SUV to be: great interior space is key for a family and this fit mine well, with a good amount of leg and head room in the front for taller adults and enough space for kids to slide around (a little) in the back. 

There

There

I could also fit nicely into the back seat and there was enough space between my knees and the seat in front that longer limbed adults should be comfortable back there, too. 

The boot is not huge, but being a compact SUV it doesn’t have to be, and it still weighs in at a very decent 438L which is almost as much as some mid-size SUVs. It will fit a pram in there and you won’t have trouble with groceries or school bags.

Cargo space is rated at 438-litres.

The boot will easily fit a pram, groceries or school bags.

How easy is it to use every day?

The park brake turns off automatically, which I always think is one of those extra steps you’re happy to take off your mind. The front seats are power adjustable and also heated, plus there’s a power tailgate. 

The front seats are power adjustable and also heated.

There are two cupholders in the front, a centre storage bin, a small space for keys and a phone plus bottle holders in each door. Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest which is not something you see in most small SUVs, and no directional air vents, an omission which is fairly standard in this category. 

How safe is it?

The Jeep Compass S-Limited it fitted with seven airbags (front side, side curtain, driver and passenger and driver’s knee).

For advanced safety there is auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning. 

There are two ISOFIX points and three top tether points for kids car seats.

The Jeep Compass scored a maximum five stars when it was ANCAP tested in 2018.

What’s the tech like?

There’s an 8.4-inch touchscreen that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology. Plug in and your phone’s main apps will pop up on the screen so you can make calls/send texts/navigate via maps/listen to music or podcasts or books. It’s the best technology around today and most cars have it now. 

The 8.4-inch touchscreen features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

How much does it cost to own?

The Jeep Compass S-Limited costs $49,850. Fuel consumption is a claimed 9.7L/100km which is quite high however probably more accurate than some other car figures. I averaged 9.5L/100km this week driving around suburbia. 

It’s covered by Jeep’s five-year/100,000km warranty and servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000km. 

Pricing & Specs Insurance Quote

Verdict

Pricing Guides

$24,892

Based on 19 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.

LOWEST PRICE

$19,990

HIGHEST PRICE

$32,280

See all Jeep Compass pricing & specs