Thinking about buying yourself a 2017 Jeep Patriot? I don’t blame you. Apart from all the hate it gets, it’s able to provide one thing that all the other 2017 Jeep models are unable to provide: low-cost value-for-your-dollar. No, it’s not the best off-road Jeep in the lineup, nor is it the fastest on the road. But with relatively low starting MSRPs on the base Sport trim, all the way through to the range-topping High Altitude trim, it makes a perfect SUV for a first-time driver. Or, if you’re just looking for a cheap vehicle that’s jam-packed with value. Either way, the Patriot won’t disappoint.
Update!:
It’s now 2019 and looking back I have to wonder: what happened?! We were all so excited for the 2017 Jeep Patriot and to see everything it had to offer, and then it just disappeared. It sold well, offered a great sibling to the Jeep Compass and treated the market right. And yet, Jeep threw it into the waste bin of history to fade like a dream upon waking.
So now here we are, no more Jeep Patriot. Instead, the Jeep Compass has thrived and offers the best of what came before. Rather than give the Patriot a second generation (as it, perhaps, deserved), the second-generation Jeep Compass stood alone and carried on the traditions of both itself and its sibling. Personally, I dug the fact that we had multiple options to choose from with SUVs from Jeep, but I can also see things from their perspective. There was certainly some redundancy that has been cleaned up with the 2019 Jeep Compass, which offers everything you could want from what the Compass and Patriot used to offer.
There are four different trim levels to choose from: Sport, Sport SE, Latitude, and High Altitude.
Update:
The 2019 Jeep Compass has quite a few trim levels available, but the major ones are the Sport (no surprise), the Latitude, the Altitude, the Limited, and the Trailhawk. How have these changed from the 2017 Jeep Patriot’s offerings? Let’s find out
Sport
Starting MSRP: $18,040
If squeezing every ounce of value out of your new car purchase at a low price point is your goal, then buy a 2017 Jeep Patriot Sport. Its starting MSRP is exceptionally low, and it returns up to 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway, so you’ll be saving money in the long-run as well. With a 158 horsepower engine, it’s just peppy enough to get you up and on the highway safely. It also has plenty of standard safety features for the price, and a surprisingly spacious cargo area for the size.
It’s available in either FWD, or 4×4 for a slight increase in starting MSRP – just like the other three trims.
2019 Jeep Compass Update:
That was all well and good for 2017, but what about now? The Sport is still the starting trim level for the Jeep Compass, which builds upon what came before and generally improves upon it. The Sport comes with a 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir engine that offers up to 31 mpg on the highway and has a 6-speed manual transmission. It has 16-inch tires and comes with a 7-inch Uconnect display that includes voice controls. Just like the old Patriot, the 2019 Compass can be configured as either a FWD or 4×4 SUV, depending on what you need.
The interior of the Compass includes cloth bucket seats, air conditioning with dual zone control, and other standard features. It has a rear backup camera, stability control, and airbags. There are other options available, but as you would expect from the starting trim level, not much more in the way of luxury or sophistication.
Sport SE
Starting MSRP: $20,185
More expensive than the Sport trim, but no where near a price that will break the bank, is the Sport SE. Which is able to provide a proportionate increase in value when compared to the price.
The first thing you’ll notice is a more upscale appearance, thanks to the mineral gray exterior accents. This upscale feel continues into the cabin, where you’ll find a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a Uconnect Voice Command system. The seats? Now a combination of McKinley vinyl/sport mesh and cloth. Not only does this provide you with increased value, but also with enhanced comfort and eye-catching style.
On the performance side of things, you’re still looking at 22 mpg city/26 mpg highway, which is still quite efficient, along with the engine still producing that 158 horsepower.
2019 Jeep Compass Update:
Not much to say here, there is no Sport SE trim level available on the Compass. The next step up from the standard Sport is the Latitude. But there are more high-end options available than there were with the 2017 Patriot.
Latitude
Starting MSRP: $22,540
With the exterior pallet of paint colors nearly doubling, you have an even greater chance of making your Patriot Latitude feel much more upscale than the price you paid for it. Returning 23 mpg city/30 mpg (FWD) with the same engine option, you’re back to saving more money in the long run than the Sport SE. But, that extra two-grand up front for the starting MSRP nets you even more fun features. Such as heated premium cloth bucket seats, standard air conditioning, 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, speed sensitive power door locks, and more.
2019 Jeep Compass Update:
The Latitude is a step up from the 2019 Jeep Compass Sport, but not necessarily a huge one. Notable changes include a shift to 17-inch tires standard and an option for upgrading to 18-inch tires – neither of which are available for the Sport. The Latitude also features a 2.7L I4 M-Air Engine that includes a 6-speed automatic transmission rather than a manual, which is an option for the Sport but not standard. You also get cloth and vinyl bucket seats, rather than just cloth, and similar air conditioning.
The Latitude has the same 7-inch Uconnect display, but there is an option to upgrade that to an 8-inch display with Navigation. Safety features are pretty much the same between the Sport and Latitude, though additional options with the Latitude include power-adjustable seats for the driver, an optional sunroof, and leather details on the shift knob and steering wheel that are standard.
High Altitude
Starting MSRP: $25,220
The range-topping High Altitude trim is entirely worth it. 22 mpg city/26 mpg highway is back, but it makes up for the loss in fuel-efficiency with all the features it gains.
Features like standard leather trimmed seats, a power sunroof, 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, bright exterior accents, and so much more.
2019 Jeep Compass Update:
The first update of note is that Jeep has dropped the word “High,” so this trim level is simply known as the Altitude now. Mechanically, it is pretty much identical to the Latitude, with the same engine and transmission. Many of the interior features are also similar between them, though the Altitude has some stylistic difference such as standard piano black interior accents, which are not available on the Latitude, and an option for gunmetal interior accents.
One of the biggest differences between the Latitude and Altitude is that the 2019 Jeep Compass Altitude includes 18-inch tires, which are black aluminum not available on the Latitude. The Altitude has a number of other exterior features that are black and not available on the Latitude, so if you like an intimidating black SUV (maybe you like to pretend you’re a government agent chasing after downed alien vessels – no judgment!), then this is a great choice. Just like the other trim levels of the Compass, the Altitude is available as either a FWD or 4×4.
2019 Jeep Compass Limited
The first of two trim levels not previously available – sorry 2017 Jeep Patriot – the Limited is essentially the pinnacle of sophistication and luxury for the 2019 Jeep Compass. In terms of performance, it has the same engine and transmission as the Latitude and Altitude, so they all pretty much handle the same. Where things really set the Limited apart, however, is inside the cabin.
The 2019 Jeep Compass Limited features heated leather trim bucket seats, with a power-adjustable driver seat and manually adjustable passenger seat standard. It has an auto-dimming rearview mirror, not available on lower trim levels, a heated steering wheel, and an 8-inch touchscreen display. While the other trim levels include a 3-inch black and white driver info display, the Limited has a 7-inch color driver information display.
Finally, the 2019 Jeep Compass Limited also has access to some safety options not available on other trim levels. These include both blind spot and cross path detection, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. So not only is the interior of the Limited a more elegant experience, but you can also make it a safer one as well.
2019 Jeep Compass Trailhawk
Among the trim levels for the 2019 Jeep Compass, the Trailhawk stands out for one very important reason: it is only available as a 4×4, not with FWD. The Trailhawk was not available on the Jeep Patriot or first-generation Compass, so it stands alone in the modern era. Mechanically it is much the same as the other trims, with the same engine and transmission as 4×4 models of the Compass Limited.
The Trailhawk features an exclusive off-road suspension not found on the other trim levels, even in 4×4 setups. It has 17-inch tires but comes with all-season off-road tires not available on the other trims. The Trailhawk also has rear tow hooks, which make it ideal for off-roading and helping others who get themselves into trouble.
Standard seats in the Trailhawk are cloth with leather trim, but leather seats are available, though it lacks the Limited’s auto-dimming rearview mirror and heated steering wheel. Safety features on the Trailhawk are comparable to the Limited 4×4, with the same standard inclusions and options for things like rear park assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision alert.
Get One Quick, They Aren’t Sticking Around Forever
If you want any of these trim levels – new – you’ll have to get one before 2017 is over. After that, the second generation Compass is replacing both the first generation Compass and the Patriot.
2019 Jeep Compass Update:
You can’t say we didn’t warn you! Two years ago we knew the Jeep Patriot was on its way out, to be replaced by the Compass, and it happened just as we said it would. As you can see, however, change isn’t always a bad thing, and the 2019 Jeep Compass has just as much to offer as the Patriot ever did, plus some new features and additional trim levels to fill out an already impressive lineup of options. If you missed out on the Patriot, don’t fret – the 2019 Compass is waiting for you and ready to take you on all manner of adventures for years to come.
