2009 Jeep Compass Review

Specifications

It is impossible to understand what the design department at Chrysler were thinking when they decided the Jeep Compass was fit to sell under the revered marquee. And to add insult to injury, they then came out with a the color dubbed Surf Blue Pearl that would be repugnant on any vehicle and makes the Compass look like a prize out of a cereal box, in other words, a cheap children’s toy.

The Compass was a first for Jeep in that it is a car with Jeep-like qualities nor is it meant to be taken off-road. It shares the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Patriot so its unibody construction does have a softer ride then the remainder of the Jeep line up. Stability control with electronic roll mitigation keep the car on all four wheels but although lacks agility.

Models include the Sport and Limited and both come with a choice of front wheel drive or 4WD. The front wheel Sport model comes with a choice of the standard 2.4-Liter 4 cylinder DOHC 16 valve VVT-i engine that offers 172 hp and 165 lb-ft torque or the 2.0 Liter 4 cylinder DOHC 16 valve VVT-I engine that produces 158 hp and 141 lb-ft torque. Fuel consumption is only marginally better on the front wheel drive models and the smaller engine is superior in the city but is not powerful enough to maintain its higher gas mileage on the highway. The 2.4 Liter engine is a noisy beast for the size and nor can it be considered peppy at 10.3 seconds to go 0 to 60 mph.

Standard on both the Sport and Limited models is the five speed manual transmission. As with all manual transmissions, this helps improve fuel consumption a bit, in this case to 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway.

To put it nicely, the optional Rallye package is a joke. The added driving lamps with Jeep® logoed covers look like the after thought they are while the rear spoiler and large bright exhaust tip further add to the Lego feel of the car. The 18 inch black painted cast aluminum wheels and Mopar Body Kit do toughen up and complete the exterior looks of the Compass.

The interior continues the children’s toy comparison with a proliferation of cheap plastic and boring finish. Features such as the 60/40 split folding and reclining rear seats offer extra comfort and the flat folding front seat offers a longer cargo space or a solid surface to put a laptop. The variable seat adjustment for the driver is a fabulous addition but the ratcheting lever is clunky.

For 2009, Chrysler is offering the MyGig® Multimedia System w/ GPS Navigation that allows you not only know where you are going like every other GPS system, it also allows you to take your favorite music, photos and DVDs along for the ride. Inside sits a 30gb hard drive so you can upload 4500 of your favorite songs or a few thousand photos through either a disc or a USB 2.0 port. Movies, Sirius TV and photos can be played on the cockpit nav screen when the vehicle is in park. Bluetooth technology allows for hands free calling and each Commander comes with a one-year subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio. Fold down lift gate speakers are a cool option for beach parties or anytime when you want your tunes outside your vehicle.

The 2009 Jeep Compass is difficult to recommend. It is ugly, offers clumsy handling with a noisy, less then peppy engine and has a basic, boring interior. It does offer high in class fuel consumption in the front wheel drive model with the smaller 2.0L engine with the manual transmission and its small, car-like stature is easy to maneuver. Jeep lovers might adore this vehicle but for anyone contemplating the make for the first time, it would be better to steer clear of the Compass otherwise you may just keep walking right out of the car lot.