Finding True North in the Jeep Compass: A Buyer’s Guide

As Southern California residents immersed in the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget that we live in one of the most gorgeous towns on the West Coast. Located a mile from the Pacific Coast, the vibrant city of Costa Mesa and the surrounding area has so much to offer, from pristine beaches, rugged mountains, and arid deserts to bustling cities like Los Angeles. So, what does this have to do with our Jeep Compass buyer’s guide? So much, and here’s why!

The beauty of being a tourist is that you fall in love with a place for the first time and get to appreciate the nuances of its culture, from its cuisine to its attractions and beyond. It can be harder to fall in love with your hometown, especially after the new wears off. We believe that getting behind the wheel of a vehicle you love, one like the Jeep Compass, can ignite a Southern California love story that will set your need for adventure ablaze. How? Because with the Jeep Compass, it’s easy to find your true north wherever the road takes you.

Trim Guide

One of the most remarkable things about the Jeep Compass is that it truly has no competition on the road. The compact crossover SUV is loaded with features and boasts a spacious interior, but it also carries the rugged capability of the Jeep brand. This capability extends across the lineup from the Sport base model to the Latitude, Limited, and the ultimate adventurer, the Trailhawk. So, which trim is right for you? Here’s a closer look at what the Compass has to offer.

Sport

Designed with adventure in mind, the Compass lineup starts with the affordably priced Sport at $24,095.* The base model is far from basic and is more than capable of carrying its weight both on the pavement and on the trail. Equipped with a 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir 2 engine under the hood, the Sport produces 177 horsepower, 172 lb-ft of torque, and a towing capability of up to 2,000 pounds. This performance isn’t mutually exclusive with efficiency, with the Sport averaging 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, which is great for a compact SUV that you can take off-road.

So, with such an affordable price, the Sport must have a bare-bones interior, right? Not at all. Jeep delivers plenty of features even on the base model, beginning with the 7-inch touchscreen display and Uconnect 4 technology that features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. You’ll have a clear view behind the Compass courtesy of the ParkView Rear Back Up Camera, which displays on the Uconnect touchscreen with gridlines to help with parking. And, as with any Jeep, four-wheel drive models are equipped with the Selec-Terrain Traction Management System that allows you to customize the SUV’s performance by switching between Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud modes.

Latitude

If you’re looking for a few more features in the Compass, then you’ll want to start your search with the Latitude, which is priced at $26,340.* The Latitude delivers comfort and capability by adding several upgrades to the SUV. In addition to the 7-inch touchscreen display, the Latitude offers several available tech upgrades like a 7-inch reconfigurable Driver Information Digital Cluster Display that puts all the data you need within eyesight. You can also add an Alpine Premium Audio System, which delivers an immersive listening experience whether you’re listening to your favorite podcast, playlist, or satellite radio!

Beyond its tech features, the Latitude trim of this Jeep SUV boasts several comfort upgrades in its Convenience Group. This package includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as well as a remote vehicle start. You can also take full advantage of the beautiful Southern California weather by adding the dual-pane panoramic sunroof that gives you a clear view of the sky above.

Limited

The Limited takes things up a notch without sending the price sky-high. Priced at $29,840,* this affordable trim is loaded with features like a larger, 8.4-inch touchscreen display that gives you a clearer view of the many in-vehicle apps as well as access to your messages, music, navigation, and more. While you’re listening to your favorite music, you can take full advantage of the Limited’s luxurious leather and heated front seats and steering wheel. This is a great way to combat those chilly Costa Mesa evenings.

The Limited’s luxury extends from its interior amenities to its comprehensive safety and driver-assist suite. Designed to give you peace of mind when you’re behind the wheel, the suite includes Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning to minimize the potential for collision and maximize visibility. Beyond this, the Limited also features a signature design courtesy of its gloss black roof that sets it apart from every other Compass in the lineup. The addition of the unique roof gives the Compass a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic that you won’t find on any other model.

Trailhawk

You won’t find a more capable Compass in the lineup beyond the powerful Trailhawk, which starts at $31,340.* The ultimate off-road vehicle, the Trailhawk is equipped with Jeep’s signature Active Drive Low 4×4 System and Selec-Terrain Traction Management System to deliver exceptional performance on any terrain. The four-wheel drive system is Trail Rated and delivers a 20:1 crawl ratio and low range power, which is ideal for rock crawling and traversing all types of terrain and obstacles from rocks and downed trees to water crossings, mud, sand, and beyond.

The rugged capability of the Compass isn’t limited to under the hood, with Jeep adding exclusive details to the exterior of the model to give it an aggressive appearance. These details include 17-inch polished aluminum wheels with gloss black pockets and both front and rear red tow hooks. But just because the Trailhawk is designed for the trail doesn’t mean it lacks comfort and convenience inside. The interior is loaded with features that will keep you comfortable and connected wherever the trail leads.

The Trailhawk’s interior is outfitted in leather-trimmed seats that give a sleek and luxurious appearance enhanced by ombre mesh cloth, Ruby Red accent stitching, and the embroidered Jeep logo. You’ll find the full-size 8.4-inch touchscreen display and the Uconnect infotainment system at your fingertips, as well as a full suite of safety, security, and driver-assist tools. You can also take advantage of new features like SiriusXM Guardian that give you more control over the Trailhawk from your smartphone. You can use the app to lock and unlock the doors, remotely start the engine, honk the horn, and locate the Trailhawk at the touch of a button.

Let the Adventure Begin

Do you like what you see in the Jeep Compass lineup? Affordably priced and packed with features from the Sport to the Trailhawk, there is no question that the Compass is designed with adventure in mind. That’s exactly why we believe the Compass is a great vehicle for exploring the beauty of Costa Mesa and the surrounding areas because it can easily take you from the beach to the mountains and beyond with ease. And if you ask us, that’s exactly what you need when adventure calls. So contact us today to get your hands on the perfect Jeep Compass.

*MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.