It wasn’t all too long ago that SUVs were considered a niche product. Within the past couple of decades, there has been ever-increasing popularity for these sizable vehicles. This is mainly due to their astonishing versatility, whether you’re talking about raw performance, solid fuel-efficiency ratings, or expansive cargo space. SUVs are also commonly known to host many of the latest and greatest safety features, ultimately making them as reliable as they’re versatile. If you’re looking for a vehicle that checks all of these boxes and is a prime example of an SUV, then look no further than the Jeep dealer near you.
The Jeep Compass was first released to the public for 2007 and was met with positive reception from both fans and critics alike. Building upon the success of the original Compass, Jeep redesigned the model for 2017, starting the next-generation of the beloved Compass. With the 2021 Compass, Jeep has added some updates to keep its affordable compact SUV fresh. From a new 80th Anniversary Edition to more safety features, the Compass remains a solid choice for any driver seeking versatility.
The 2021 Jeep Compass comes in four trims, all of which appeared last year with the 2020 model, and two Special Editions. The Sport is the base trim for the 2021 Compass, and it has an MSRP of $23,895. This trim is followed by the Latitude, which brings a variety of upgrades over the base model, including larger wheels and a host of interior enhancements. The Limited is the next available trim for the Compass, and this trim includes a variety of luxurious features, such as a larger infotainment center and leather upholstery. Finally, those looking to enjoy some off-roading should opt for the Compass Trailhawk, which adds an array of off-road performance features. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it with any of the available 2021 Jeep Compass trims.
How Does The Compass Perform?
In regards to the Compass’ powertrain, Jeep has kept things rather straightforward. No matter which trim you opt for, the SUV comes with a 2.4L Tigershark engine that is highly capable of everyday tasks with its 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. However, there are two transmission options. Should you stick with the standard front-wheel drive, your engine will come paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. But going with all-wheel drive will upgrade this to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Choosing the off-road oriented Trailhawk trim will further enhance the all-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case, giving you even more traction in slippery off-road situations.
Thanks to its efficient engine, the 2021 Compass not only has acceptable performance but is also quite fuel-efficient as well. Fuel efficiency is a crucial component of an SUV’s success, and the 2021 Compass gets ratings of 22 MPG city and 31 MPG highway with the standard front-wheel drive configuration. Opting for all-wheel drive hardly affects these ratings, as the improved transmission allows it to make 22 MPG city and 30 MPG highway.
An Impressive Amount of Safety Features
Compared to other competitors on the market, the 2021 Compass is highly customizable when regarding safety features. We recommend you add the Driver Assistance Group package, which is available on every trim except the base Sport trim. With this package equipped, you’ll be getting the best safety features around, including Forward Collision Warning, which will warn you of an impending impact. Additionally, Active Braking complements this feature by applying additional brake pressure to minimize the severity of a crash.
This safety package even includes Adaptive Cruise Control, a revolutionary take on the classic methods of cruise control that everyone has grown accustomed to. Much like traditional cruise control, this feature holds a set speed. However, Adaptive Cruise Control will dynamically reduce the speed of the vehicle to maintain a safe distance between you and the driver in front of you. You’ll also be getting Lane Departure Warning, a highly useful feature that will alert you if your vehicle detects that you have unintentionally crossed a lane. Lane Keep Assist is coupled with this, providing subtle steering adjustments to keep you in your intended lane.
While this is already a bustling number of features, there are even more that come included with the aforementioned Driver Assistance Group package. In addition to the previously mentioned safety features, you’ll also be getting a Rear Park Assist system to help you reverse into those tricky parking spots. This feature works by alerting you when it detects an obstacle behind you, such as another parked vehicle. The safety package also includes Blind Spot Monitoring, utilizing similar sensors to notify you of upcoming traffic on your blind spot. With this feature equipped, highway travel is made much safer when switching lanes. Finally, Rear Cross Path Detection comes as part of the package, notifying you of any oncoming vehicles in your path when reversing out of a parking space. Features such as these are especially useful in a crowded area.
What’s The Interior Like?
Historically, the Jeep Compass has always supported a maximum seating capacity of five passengers, and nothing has changed in this regard. Front and rear-row passengers are treated to similar headroom dimensions, with the front row getting 39.2 inches while the rear-row gets 38.5 inches. Legroom measurements fair much the same, with the front-row getting 41.8 inches and the rear-row measuring in at 38.3 inches. The 2021 Compass also offers ample cargo space with a maximum of 59.8 cu.ft. when you fold the back seats down. Even when the second row isn’t folded, you’ll still have 27.2 cu.ft. of cargo space, which makes this a terrific SUV to bring on vacation in addition to its everyday versatility.
Shoppers will be pleased to know that the 2021 Compass comes with a fully-fledged infotainment center, even on the base Sport trim level. The standard arrangement includes a large 7-inch touchscreen, while the higher trims offer an 8.4-inch touchscreen with integrated navigation. Your favorite music will be played through the standard six speakers or the optional nine Premium Alpine speakers, and accessing your music library is a seamless process. Jeep has made all of the right decisions with the 2021 Compass’ interior, especially the choice to include both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at the base level. Thanks to CarPlay and Auto, infotainment centers now offer a new layer of versatility by fully integrating all your favorite smartphone features.
A Strong Foundation
Jeep is a manufacturer that consistently improves upon its vehicles in both fresh and exciting ways. The 2021 Compass is the perfect choice if you’re looking for all of the best parts of an SUV at an affordable price. With vehicles such as the 2021 Compass, Jeep has yet again raised the bar, and it makes us excited for the future of the market. The 2017 model year redesign laid a solid foundation that Jeep has only continued to improve as the years pass. Perhaps the only significant change left to make is to bring the new European Compass 4Xe plug-in hybrid to the American market.
