Find Your Inner Adventurer in a Jeep Compass

The call of the wild, the path less taken, over the river and through the woods – you know the drill. It’s probably fair to say that most of us love the allure of the great outdoors, and it’s a shame to say that too few of us ever make a serious effort to get there. It seems at odds with automotive marketing, doesn’t it, with the plethora of high-performing off-road vehicles on lots around the nation? But at a glance, it’s easy to understand why – the logistics and time required for an outdoor adventure means planning in advance, setting days aside from our busy lives to unplug and unwind someplace far away from home. We’d like to suggest changing that narrative by making a used Jeep Compass your next vehicle purchase.

The Compass was Jeep’s entry to the compact crossover market when it first came out in 2007. Together with its sharply-styled sibling, the Patriot, the Compass anchored the entry-level Jeep lineup for a decade before the Compass was fully redesigned in 2017. The all-new Compass was designed to invoke the legendary Jeep Grand Cherokee and included superior materials, updated infotainment, and simply a better overall experience than the outgoing model, marking a significant step forward for this compact crossover SUV.

Its superb off-road capabilities, outstanding for the compact crossover class, make it easy to turn down a dirt road or overgrown trail on a whim. It’s always wise to download your maps and to carry snacks, water, and a blanket, but you won’t need any more foresight than that to go adventuring in your used Jeep Compass. What’s more is that this vehicle comes with competitive fuel efficiency, one of the best infotainment systems on the market, and at a low-risk bargain price.

Trail-Rated Excellence

Not every Compass earns the distinction of being Trail Rated – that’s reserved for top-of-the-line Trailhawk models. You’ll know one when you see it by the anti-glare hood, red tow hooks on both bumpers, and four skid plates on the underbelly (if you get a look at it). Trailhawk models get a modest 180 hp engine like every other Compass, paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission, but it gets an upgraded Active Drive Low 4×4 system with a 20:1 low range crawl ratio. Another advanced feature of the Trailhawk is hill descent control for improved downhill speed control.

In addition to these features, look for the Selec-Terrain knob with selectable drive modes for any driving condition. This adjusts the damping, steering, braking, throttle responses, and power distribution to optimize performance for any circumstances. Rock, Sand, Mud, Snow, and Auto adorn the selector, so fear not – just switch the dial to the appropriate setting and enjoy! You won’t need to fear tall obstacles either; with 8.5” of ground clearance, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is more than capable of safely navigating rocks, bumps, ruts, and even small tree limbs.

Versatile at Entry-Level

Even low-trim Compass models like the Sport and Latitude boast versatile capabilities. Depending on what matters to you, look for either front-wheel drive or 4×4 models – front-wheel drive will offer better fuel efficiency while 4×4 gives better all-weather handling and is much more ready for a spontaneous dirt road exploration. If you’re feeling truly adventurous in your search for your next used car, seek out a used Compass with the available 6-speed manual transmission. This option is no longer offered in the 2021 Jeep Compass, making it an added advantage of shopping on the used market.

While every one of these Jeep SUVs is just at home off-road as it is on-road, you don’t pay for it with the atrocious fuel efficiency of the bigger, bulkier off-roaders with super-grippy wheels and the aerodynamics of a brick. The Compass is rated for up to 31 MPG on the highway, which is a strong result for a performance-oriented design. This compact SUV offers a delightful blend of Cherokee driving comfort with Renegade agility and is unexpectedly composed given the performance of the outgoing generation.

The second-generation Compass is on-point in the comfort and volume category as well, offering a surprisingly quiet ride and an amply spacious rear seat. When you fold down the rear seats, you can even enjoy nearly 60 cubic feet of cargo space, which is more than in a Jeep Cherokee. The Compass even includes a fold-flat front passenger seat for even more cargo space and a towing rating of 2,000 pounds. While 2,000 pounds won’t be useful for towing a motorhome, small campers or trailers with a snowmobile or jet ski aboard shouldn’t pose a problem, making the Compass a substantially capable hauler for its class!

Technology – Diverse Selection

A used vehicle is always a mixed bag when it comes to technology, and the Compass has been updated several times over the years. If optional technology features are important to you, it’s critical to be discerning when perusing the used market. If you like the second-generation Compass but have certain tech demands, keep an eye out for the ones that matter to you, and be sure to ask your salesman for assistance in that hunt.

For example, increasingly-ubiquitous smartphone-integration technology in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is much more popular today than it was in 2017. The base Compass originally lacked this feature and only came with a 5” touchscreen. However, a 7” screen with Apple and Android connectivity features became standard across the board in 2019, and it was optional on 2017 and 2018 models. This Uconnect 4 infotainment system is positively viewed by critics and drivers alike as one of the more responsive and intuitive systems out there.

The advanced driver-assist situation is even more widely varied. Few of these features are standard on lower-trim used Compass models. Still, technologies such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning to help were options even in 2017. The list grows longer for newer models – 2019 saw adaptive cruise control added to the Advanced Safety Group Package, and Lane Keep Assist was added to the roster as well. If you like these features, be sure to seek them out as having them is not a given on most Compass models – but if you don’t care for them, you can find yourself a real bargain of a deal in a Compass that lacks them!

You’ll Never Lose Your Way With a Compass

The Jeep Compass is a popular and low-cost crossover SUV, but it still has Jeep DNA through and through. Don’t let the size fool you into thinking it’s not a worthy choice for taking on off-road adventuring – especially in Trail Rated Trailhawk trim, there’s no other compact crossover that can compete. Strictly speaking, though, we think the off-road abilities are more of a perk than a prime motivator for buying a used Compass.

That’s because off-roading abilities aside, the Compass is still a capable and frugal choice, making the Compass a great option for drivers of every stripe. Fuel efficiency ratings of up to 31 MPG on the highway and towing ratings of 2,000 pounds are nothing to sneeze at for its class. You’ll find ample room for five adults and sufficient cargo space for most modest adventures, with a great infotainment system and however many tech frills you desire to make the trip your own. Given the low cost of a used Jeep Compass, we think there’s no better vehicle for stretching your normal limits and doing something out of the ordinary by taking the road less traveled. Mother Nature’s calling, so what are you waiting for? Contact us at Orange Coast today.