Name: Jeep Compass (2018 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Jeep Compass
Rating: 52.0

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.

Despite a more urban focus than traditional Jeep models, the Compass still retains the company’s traditional off-roading ability and is far more suited to rough terrain than most of its rivals.

As of January 2025, our industry-leading Expert Rating index places the Compass right down near the bottom of the mid-sized SUV/crossover segment with a New Car Expert Rating of E and a score of 52%.

The Compass has 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, has been criticised for its on-road dynamics and lack of sophistication in one of the most competitive segments in the UK new car market.

More Jeep ratings, reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Medium-size SUV
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £34,580 on-road

Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: Summer 2020
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Score: 7.6 / 10
“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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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)
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The Jeep Compass’ beefy styling certainly helps it stand out from the current crop of family SUVs, but it isn’t all that good to drive and feels quite cheap in places.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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)
Read review

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.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.8 / 10
“A mid-sized crossover with genuine off-road prowess”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 90%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 59%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Jeep Compass has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 12
Average repair cost: £291.47
Last updated: September 2023

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Jeep Compass has a slightly lower-than-average reliability rating according to warranty claim data provided by our partner MotorEasy. This data refers to the current model, and the old (pre-2018) original version, however it’s worth pointing out that we don’t have a large amount of data at this time.

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. An average repair bill of less than £300 is one of the best results of any car on sale.

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	Variation	Score
Petrol models	36 mpg	D	30 – 41 mpg	D – E
Diesel models	44 mpg	C	39 – 47 mpg	C – D
Plug-in hybrid models	149 mpg	A	– mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	132 g/km	A	131 – 210 g/km	A – D
Diesel models	166 g/km	C	153 – 191 g/km	B – C
Plug-in hybrid models	44 g/km	A	44 – 29 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	30 miles	E	146 – 141 miles	C – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	49	E	19 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£219	B
Year 2	£561	B
Year 3	£957	B
Year 4	£1,153	B
Year 5	£1,538	B
Overall	£4,428	B

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.