What's New
The 2020 Jeep Compass returns with no major changes. However, Jeep has more active safety features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control available on the base model, making the crossover more appealing.
Choosing Your Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass is available in four trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Pricing starts at $23,600 including destination for the Sport and climbs to $31,170 for the Trailhawk.
Additionally, the Latitude is available in two sub-trims: Sun and Wheel and Altitude. The Limited is available in a High Altitude sub-trim.
Engine Choices
The Compass is only available with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 horsepower and 175-pound feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard on all but the Trailhawk, which is available exclusively with four-wheel drive. Add $1,500 for 4x4 on the other three trims.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Sport, while a six-speed automatic is available for $1,500. With four-wheel drive selected, the manual is still standard while a nine-speed automatic becomes a $1,500 option.
The Latitude comes standard with the six-speed automatic gearbox on FWD models, but AWD ones come with the six-speed manual as standard and offer a nine-speed automatic transmission as a $1,500 option. The Limited gets the six-speed automatic with FWD, or the nine-speed automatic with 4WD, while the 4WD Trailhawk exclusively gets the nine-speed automatic gearbox.
With the manual transmission, the Compass earns an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 combined with FWD, or 22/31/25 mpg (city/highway/combined) with 4WD. The six-speed automatic achieves 22/31/25 mpg, while the nine-speed automatic earns 22/30/25 mpg.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Jeep Compass seats five passengers. It offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row, or 59.8 cubic feet with it folded.
Safety Features
The Compass comes standard with no active safety features on any model, which is disappointing in a time where more and more automakers are making these standard across their lineups.
Fortunately, several safety features are available through extra-cost packages throughout the range. The Safety and Security Group ($795) adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group ($795) brings adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams to the Compass.
Connectivity
Sport and Latitude trims come standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Limited and Trailhawk models get an 8.4-inch display.
Navigation and the 8.4-inch touchscreen are available for $1,345 on Latitude trims, while navigation costs $1,245 on the two that come standard with the 8.4-inch unit.
Sport - From $23,600
Specifications on entry-level Compass Sport models are modest with features such as six-way manual front seats, cloth upholstery, and a 3.5-inch driver information display. However, it does bring such creature comforts as dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, and push button start.
Buyers can further upgrade to heated front seats, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote start, and more with the $845 Cold Weather Group bundle.
Latitude - From $26,850
If you look closely, you’ll be able to tell Latitude and Sport models apart by the former’s body-color door handles and outside mirrors, deep-tinted glass, and fog lights. Latitude models also get upgraded cloth upholstery, satellite radio, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
Buyers can upgrade to bi-Xenon HID headlights and LED taillights with the $695 Premium Lighting Group. The Sun and Wheel subtrim brings a panoramic sunroof and 17-inch polished aluminum wheels for $895, while the Altitude subtrim adds 18-inch black wheels, a black roof, and black accents and trim for $1,420.
Limited - From $29,900
Focusing on luxury, Compass Limited models are distinguished by leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, the larger touchscreen, and a 7-inch driver information display. Remote start and an eight-way power driver seat with lumbar support are also included.
Equip your Compass with a power liftgate through the $725 Rear Convenience Group, which also includes a reversible carpet/vinyl cargo mat. The Limited is available in the High Altitude sub-trim, which adds black accents and trim, the bi-Xenon HID headlights and LED taillights, and an Alpine audio system for $1,995.
Trailhawk - From $31,170
With a focus on off-road ability, the 4x4-only Trailhawk adds an off-road suspension, skid plates, red tow hooks, and a two-tone paint job. Seats revert back to partly cloth, and the driver seat is back to being six-way manually adjustable.
Buyers can enhance the Trailhawk's creature comforts with the $1,695 Leather Interior Group bundle. It adds full leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, the eight-way power driver seat, remote start, and more.
Compare Compass Trims Side-By-Side
If you want off-road prowess, the 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk is the only way to go. If you want creature comforts, we'd suggest that you start your search with the Limited trim and its leather upholstery, 8.4-inch touchscreen, and heated front seats and steering wheel.