Summary
The Jeep Compass is a mid-sized SUV, which was revealed in America in late 2016 but did not reach UK showrooms until early 2018. It sits between the smaller Renegade and larger Cherokee in the Jeep range.
In late 2025, this second-generation range was replaced by a new third-generation Compass line-up, which consists of petrol mild-hybrid and electric models.
Despite a more urban focus than traditional Jeep models, the Compass retained the company’s traditional off-roading ability and is far more suited to rough terrain than most of its rivals.
No longer on sale, our industry-leading Expert Rating index places the Compass right down near the bottom of the mid-sized SUV/crossover segment with a Used Car Expert Rating of E and a score of 50%.
The Compass received praise for its impressive off-road abilities, being one of the few SUVs that is actually comfortable on anything tougher than a gravel driveway. However, was criticised for its on-road dynamics and lack of sophistication in one of the most competitive segments in the UK new car market.
Key specifications
Body style: Medium-size SUV
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price when new: From £34,580 on-road
Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: Summer 2020
Replaced: Winter 2025/26
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Jeep Compass stands ahead of its compact crossover rivals as a proper SUV, for those who want this sort of car for more than just looks.”
Score: 7.6 / 10
Read full review
The Car Expert
Andrew Charman
“The Jeep Compass is a tough looking family SUV with impressive off-road capabilities, but it’s not as good to drive as some alternatives.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Stylish, comfortable and more usable off-road than the average crossover, the Jeep Compass has plenty to offer.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“While Jeep hasn’t gone fully hybrid with the Compass e-Hybrid, it’s an interesting and tempting step. The Compass itself is now more of a contender with a bit of added Jeep cool, too, although this model does without four-wheel drive. Its biggest problem, though, is the strength of the more efficient fully-hybrid competition.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Trailhawk
Score: 6 / 10
“The new Jeep Compass Trailhawk is a compelling option if you’re in the market for a rugged family SUV.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Plug-in hybrid option and updated tech give the Jeep Compass a much-needed leg-up in the competitive mid-size SUV sector.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 4xe S
Score: 8 / 10
“Its 30-mile EV range is evenly matched with PHEV rivals except those more expensive to buy. It’s enough to make the Jeep Compass look worth checking out for company car drivers who want four-wheel drive with their SUV.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Trailhawk
Score: 6 / 10
“If you’re an adventurous family who off-road regularly, then in Trailhawk guise the Jeep Compass makes a compelling argument for itself, despite its occasionally unruly road manners.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre plug-in hybrid 4xe
Score: 8 / 10
“Compared to the previous Compass, this new model is better in every possible way. It’s the interior that represents the biggest step up, with technology and quality that really move the game on significantly for Jeep. It’s also better to drive, while the addition of the 4xe plug-in hybrid is welcome, too.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Compass is a great addition to Jeep’s range, and it slots neatly in the off-road centric range of this American manufacturer. It’s not a class-leading model, and there are rivals with better interiors and more enjoyable drives, but it’s an interesting left-field option to other established SUVs.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6.2 / 10
“Offering more space than the Renegade and better driving manners than the rugged Wrangler, the Jeep Compass is a capable SUV with its own individual style… and flaws.” (Ben Custard)
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual Limited
Score: 7.9 / 10
“The Jeep Compass offers an interesting change to the regular small SUV options. It looks good, is efficient and has a good residual value, but refinement could be better.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 4xe plug-in hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The Jeep Compass S 4xe PHEV 4×4 has a number of areas for improvement. Chief amongst these is the issue of the car having various off-road control systems, but being equipped with road tyres that resulted in the car getting stuck on a flat area of muddy grass. Another issue is the lack of performance in electric mode due to the 60 hp electric motor.” (Paul Clarke)
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“Some will be willing to overlook its lack of on-road prowess in favour of its genuine off-road capability. Just like Land Rover, Jeep plays hard on its reputation as a maker of cars that won’t leave you stranded in the rough stuff.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.8 / 10
“A mid-sized crossover with genuine off-road prowess”
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The Sun
“Just like the England football team, on paper the Jeep Compass has got the goods to take the fight to the others, but it’s no guarantee they’ll win at their own game.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: (range review)
“I’d strongly urge anyone considering the Jeep Compass to test drive some rivals. The benchmark is incredibly high in this segment now, and the Compass – while ten times better than its awful predecessor – isn’t there yet.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“More an SUV than a soft-roader. Patchy dynamics but well finished and has good off-road ability.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 90%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 59%
Notes on safety rating
The Jeep Compass was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Compass to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Jeep Compass was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 18
Average repair cost: £392.25
Last updated: April 2025
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Jeep Compass has a better-than-average reliability rating according to warranty claim data provided by our partner MotorEasy. The caveat to this score is that we don’t have data from a large number of vehicles yet, so this score could fluctuate over time as more data is added to our system.
The good news is that repair costs are one of the most affordable across the board, especially when compared to the high warranty claims of many other SUVs in this class. The exception is fuel system repair costs, which have been quite high to date.
An average repair bill of less than £400 is reasonable, although some other small SUVs are cheaper.
If you’re looking at a used Jeep Compass, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all the potential problem areas shown above. You’re more likely than other cars to need repairs, but hopefully they’ll cost less than most others.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score |
| Petrol models | 36 mpg | D |
| Diesel models | 44 mpg | C |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 149 mpg | A |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 132 g/km | B | ||
| Diesel models | 166 g/km | D | ||
| Plug-in hybrid models | 47 g/km | A |
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 23 miles | E |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 49 | E |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £259 | C |
| Year 2 | £667 | D |
| Year 3 | £1,108 | D |
| Year 4 | £1,312 | D |
| Year 5 | £1,705 | C |
| Overall | £5,051 | D |
The Jeep Compass has a mixed bag of scores when it comes to running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy is poor for the petrol models, and only average for the (now discontinued) diesel versions. The plug-in hybrid looks great on paper, but this is more a function of the inaccurate EU/UK government lab testing process, which is pretty much useless for plug-in hybrids.
Insurance group ratings are high on average but with significant variation across the range, so make sure you get several insurance quotes before committing.
Finally, servicing and maintenance over the car’s first five years look to be pretty good.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Jeep Compass, you might also be interested in these alternatives
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More information
More news, reviews and information about the Jeep Compass at The Car Expert
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