Jeep Compass Gets a Much-Needed Overhaul

The Compass has long been one of the most maligned models in Jeep’s lineup for many reasons: lack of room, limited off-road potential, chintzy interior, etc. Now, with a complete redesign, Jeep hopes to change the fortunes of its tiny people hauler.

The 2017 Jeep Compass will roll in with a familiar look, as it will inherit the styling cues of the recently refreshed Grand Cherokee, including the slightly shorter grille and thinner headlights. Outside of these Grand Cherokee-inspired changes, the rest of the Compass’ body is all-new too. These changes include a new hood with a clamshell design, a double break line and a center bulge, more pronounced fenders, black-outlined headlight bezels, restyled LED taillights, a power liftgate, and an available dual-pane sunroof.

2017 Jeep Compass (Credit: © Jeep)

Inside, the new Compass will gain what Jeep is calling a more “upscale interior design.” Not that the bar was set too high before, but it seems like Jeep is really trying. Looking at the limited images of the interior online, it is clear that Jeep has pushed past the crummy sea of plastic from last year. What’s even more impressive are the front seats, which feature relatively huge bolsters for its class. Additionally, a 5-inch touchscreen comes standard, while 7- and 8.4-inch screens are available. It’ll also gain a standard 3.5-inch driver info center between the gauges, while the segment’s largest 7-inch info screen will be available too.

On the tech side of things, buyers who opt for the 7- or 8.4-inch touchscreens also get the added benefit of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

While the world will have 17 powertrain options, the U.S. will only have one engine, a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. This engine will, however, have three transmission to choose from: a brand-new nine-speed auto on all-wheel-drive models only, a six-speed manual on front- and all-wheel-drive models, and a six-speed auto as an option on front-wheel-drive models. These powertrain options will give the new Compass up to a 2,000-pound towing capacity.

2017 Jeep Compass (Credit: © Jeep)

New for 2017 will be the Trailhawk model, which will finally give the Compass off-road abilities almost worthy of the Jeep badge. This model will gain Jeep Active Drive Low 4×4 20-to-1 crawl ratio, Selec-Terrain with “Rock” mode, a nearly 1-inch-higher ride height, skid plates, red-painted tow hooks, unique fascias, Hill-Descent Control, and 17-inch off-road rubber. All this adds up to deliver a 30-degree approach angle, a 24-degree breakover angle, a 34-degree departure angle, and up to 19 inches of water fording.

The 2017 Jeep Compass will hit showrooms in the U.S. in late spring of 2017 at a starting price of $20,995 for the Sport trim. The Latitude model will run the price up to $24,295, the Trailhawk will hit $28,595, and the Limited trim will top off the range at 28,995.