Jeep Compass 2021 Review

The 2021 Jeep Compass is a refresh and update of a small SUV that’s been around in Australia in second-generation form since 2017.

The starting point is the only front-wheel drive model in the range, the $37,950 Launch Edition (previously named Night Eagle), then comes the $43,950 Limited, the $46,950 S-Limited and the $51,250 Trailhawk. A special-edition $47,941 80th Anniversary model is also available.

On-road costs are additional and the latest pricing represents an increase of at least $1000 compared to the previous model. The Trailhawk is up $1800.

The high pricing excludes Compass from much of the action in this segment, which takes place below $40,000. All the big players such as the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30 and Mitsubishi ASX are into the action at or below $30,000.

Here we are testing the S-Limited, which along with the Launch Edition is on sale now. The 80th Anniversary arrives in September and the Limited and Trailhawk by the end of the year.

The key Compass changes centre around the visuals and the equipment levels. Safety gets a big bump but not mechanicals, which means the 2.4-litre petrol engine in most Jeep Compass models is familiar, as is the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel in Trailhawk. Automatic transmission remains standard across the range; six-speed in the LE and ZF-sourced nine-speed in the AWDs.

To the appealing mini-me Jeep Grand Cherokee exterior first. The signature seven-slot grille has been raised and divided in two, the bonnet is broader, excellent LED headlights (replacing Xenons) are sleeker and incorporate the driving lights, the fog lights are now housed in the broader centre opening, while the lower opening and skid plate are wider.

Sold as a sporty model, the S-Limited now has metallic grey finishes, body-colour body kit elements and new-design alloy wheels.

Inside the Compass there’s been a substantial design overhaul. The three-layer dashboard is new, the centre tunnel has been raised to allow more storage space and a new 10.1-inch infotainment screen sits atop the centre stack.

Using the latest Uconnect 5 operating system with integrated TomTom sat-nav, it is highly customisable, has voice control, wireless charging and wireless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

From Limited upward a 10.25-inch digital instrument display is standard. This too is customisable to allow your favoured info to sit between the speedo and tacho dials. Sadly, there does not appear to be a digital speedo.

Also new to all MY21 Compass models is remote keyless entry, push-button start, rain-sensitive wipers and auto high beam control. Power adjust for the front passenger seat now starts at Limited along with a power tailgate, while the Trailhawk gets a 360-degree camera.

All that comes on top of carryover equipment including roof rails, dual-zone climate control, six-speaker audio, an electric park brake, a fold-forward front seat, a thick-rimmed leather-wrapped reach- and rake-adjustable steering wheel and a 230V outlet for the second row. There are also USB-A and USB-C outlets front and rear.

A powered driver’s seat with memory and leather seat trim are included from Limited upwards and nine-speaker Alpine audio from S-Limited upwards. The LE and Limited come with 18-inch alloys, the S-Limited 19s and the Trailhawk 17s. All models come with a 17-inch spare tyre on a steel wheel.

The panoramic sunroof fitted to our test car is part of a $2950 Premium package.

The Compass comes with a five-year/100,000km warranty. That’s competitive on time but not mileage as many rivals offer unlimited kilometres. Roadside assistance is lifetime as long as you service through Jeep dealers.

Capped-price servicing is listed on the Jeep Australia website as due every 12 months or 12,000km for petrol models and 12 months/20,000km for diesels. It costs $399 each time for each model for the first five services.

In safety terms, the 2021 Jeep Compass takes a significant leap forward. Mostly.

As is usual these days, the key changes revolve around driver assistance features, highlighted by the overdue arrival of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist recognition.

But at the same time the airbag count has actually dropped to six, with the deletion of the driver’s knee airbag.

As well as AEB, active lane management, a stop function for adaptive cruise control, drowsy driver alert, traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed assist are added. The latter enables the automatic adjustment of speed based on the road sign limits.

From the Limited up the Compass adds updated parking assistance with ‘unpark’.

As before, all models get rear parking sensors, but the base model continues to miss out on fronts. Other carryovers are forward collision warning, lane departure warning and stability control with electronic roll mitigation. There are two ISOFIX child seat mountings and three top-seat tethers.

The Compass comes with a five-star ANCAP rating, but it does date all the way back to 2017.

When it comes to the mechanical package, the 2021 Jeep Compass is very well established. There is nothing new here of any significance.

The Compass is underpinned by a front- and all-wheel drive monocoque platform originally developed by Fiat and also used by Alfa Romeo, Opel and even RAM for a small van.

Apart from the Trailhawk, all Compass models are powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder SOHC 16-valve engine dubbed 'Tigershark' that makes 129kW at 6400rpm and 229Nm at 3900rpm.

The technical highlight of this engine is a system called MultiAir2 that employs electro-hydraulic variable valve timing and lift on the inlet side of the cylinder head.

In the S-Limited the transverse-mounted engine hooks into a nine-speed torque-converter auto – with manual shifting available by the gear lever (no flappy paddles) – and an on-demand all-wheel drive system.

The result is a claimed 9.7L/100km fuel consumption average on standard unleaded petrol. That turns into at least a 10-plus average in the real world and, during our test running, an average in the low 11s.

The AWD system is dubbed ‘Active Drive Low’ but despite the name there is no dual-range transfer case, just an ultra-low first gear ratio. To further assist off-road there is hill descent control and a lock button that prevents the rear axle disconnecting.

Selec-Terrain toggles through Snow and Sand/Mud modes managing throttle and torque distribution for off-roading and defaults to Auto mode (primarily front-wheel drive) for on-roading.

The Compass rolls on all-independent suspension comprising MacPherson struts up front and compact Chapman strut at the rear, the latter so named because Lotus founder Colin Chapman developed it. Koni frequency-selective dampers are included in the package.

Electric power-assist rack and pinion steering, disc brakes with single-piston callipers and 235/45R19 Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport highway performance tyres that work very well in the dry, the wet, on dirt or tar complete the package.

The Compass measures up at an appropriately compact 4394mm long, 1819mm wide, 1644mm high and has a 2636mm wheelbase. It is very similar in size to a Mazda CX-30.

Considering it’s a Jeep, it’s worth noting the 212mm ground clearance, 16.8-degree approach, 22.9-degree breakover and 31.7-degree departure angle and 405mm wading depth. There is also a decent 11.07m turning circle and a pretty miniscule 1000kg braked towing limit.

Speaking of kilos, the S-Limited weighs in at 1503kg (tare), which is about right for an AWD version of a vehicle this size. An AWD form, the CX-30’s kerb weight (so more fuel on board) is 1544kg.

The 2021 Jeep Compass plays a bit part in a segment bubbling over with vehicles that are affordable, sensible and enjoyable, and often a combination of all three.

Well, taken purely from the perspective of the driving and, um, passengering, the Compass is deserving of more attention than its sales suggest.

It rides very comfortably. Whether it’s the suspension geometry, the damping, the travel or something else altogether, it manages to smooth the way across both sharp- and soft-edged potholes and over lumpy protrusions.

There is some float before settling, but it’s contained and there is very little sense of unrestrained body roll when cornering. Speaking of which the Compass is no terminal understeerer either. At sensible speeds it settles in and arcs smoothy through corners.

The cabin is a quiet place to be. A bit of engine noise at high revs, some tyre roar off coarse surfaces but almost entirely acceptable.

Passengers are well-looked-after. The front seats are well-shaped and supportive and in the rear there is an impressive amount of knee-room and headroom for two adults – it would get squeezy trying to fit three people in here. Thanks to the high hip point there’s a good view out – great for kids!

The boot is also quite spacious at 438 litres (the rear seat split-folds to grow space) and the tailgate lifts well out of the way.

There’s decent storage up front split across door bins, glove box and a narrow but deep centre-lidded bin. In row two there are seat-back pockets, door bins and cup holders in the fold-down arm rest.

The new digital touch-screen is clear and easy to use. The new interior look and feel is clearly a step forward. The Compass is built in India, but if that sounds worrying our test car showed no quality issues.

The steering is accurate and light – which is great for the ’burbs – but it is vacant of feel. You point and hope. The upside of this mummification is little or no unruly kickback or torque steer.

The new digital instrument display proved less impressive than the touch-screen. The graphics are a bit grotty and hard to read and there was no sign of a digital speedo.

The feel of some of the control buttons, stalks and the gearshift is also a bit plasticky and brittle. After some experimentation we elected to Bluetooth our smartphone because the wireless Apple CarPlay connection proved a little patchy.

The Tigershark is more cuddly puppy. It lacks the low-down grunt low-blow turbo engines deliver, which means it takes a while to get going. There are lots of revs, lots of gear changing and an explanation for why our fuel consumption steepled.

Thankfully, the engine remains pretty refined until it’s being really poked. The auto remains as surreptitious as possible, although some changes become obvious.

Off-road experimentation was confined to less adventurous courses. The Compass S-Limited displayed no negative traits, cruising up winding, rutted and wet tracks without issue. But have no doubt, this is not the Jeep to cross the Outback in.

There is no doubt Jeep has put a big effort into the interior of the 2021 Jeep Compass. Better presentation and improved equipment definitely make it more appealing.

Boosting the level of safety equipment is also laudable, although AEB should have actually been standard in 2017 when this model first arrive.

Interior space, ride quality, cabin quietness and neat handling are also positives.

On the flipside, the reasonable off-road capability probably doesn’t resonate with that many people and the engine is mediocre.

But it’s the high price of admission that’s the big issue. The Compass won’t gain the recognition Jeep insists it deserves until that is addressed.

How much does the 2021 Jeep Compass S-Limited cost?
Price: $46,950 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 129kW/229Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 230g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

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