Our Opinion - 2026 Jeep Compass Review In 2026, the Compass will still be Jeep’s base model. It’s a small SUV, but it stands out from some rivals, like the popular Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4, by claiming to be good off-road, especially in Trailhawk form. The ride can be a little rough even on smooth roads, but the 2.0-liter turbocharged 200-hp four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive give you enough, if not thrilling, energy. On the highway, however, it achieved 35 mpg, which is significantly more than the EPA estimated. The exterior design aims to embody the classic seven-slot Jeep style in a smaller frame, while the interior, though spacious enough for five passengers, comes across as old-fashioned and outdated. A whole new replacement has been planned and begun, but it is currently being put on hold. The eighth year of making it has passed. What's New? Only a change in how the trims and prices are set up. The standard Latitude trim has been discontinued, along with the Sport and Latitude Lux versions. The Latitude Altitude is in first place because, with its basic features, it provides the best value. It is essential to note that Jeep plans to release a new Compass in other countries, but not in the US. Jeep says that the new Compass might not be released at all, as the all-new Cherokee is designed to serve both markets. Pros and Cons Pros Powertrains that run on both fuel and electricity. Off-road skills that are right for a Jeep. Tough and edgy style. Cons A very small amount of information is provided. There might be an extra charge. Not likely to happen until 2026. Engine, Transmission, and Performance A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower. Automatic transmission with eight speeds. All-wheel drive is built into the engine. The Compass features a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine capable of producing 200 horsepower. It features an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, which distributes power to all four wheels. The Trailhawk model is now equipped for off-road adventures, offering a stronger all-wheel-drive setup with a crawler gear ratio and an added Rock mode within the Selec-Terrain system. The Compass is quick on roads, but the steering isn’t very accurate and doesn’t respond well to input. Overall, the small SUV appears well-controlled, but there is a noticeable lean when the vehicle approaches a turn. But competitors like Mazda’s CX-5 and CX-50 offer more enjoyable driving dynamics than the Compass. We did play a short off-road course with a Compass and found it to be very good at navigating small obstacles. The all-wheel-drive system operated smoothly without any hesitation. Safety The Jeep Compass features several useful tools that make driving easier. One important change is that starting in 2026, adaptive speed control will come standard on both the Limited and Trailhawk models. Automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot tracking are all standard safety features. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are available as optional safety features. Internal and External Cargo Capacity First Row: The front seats are very comfortable and offer sufficient space for your legs and head, but they lack the soft, sophisticated support that makes long trips more bearable. The materials aren’t as good as those in the latest Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V models, despite the car’s sleek appearance. Second Row: The back seat isn’t the biggest or smallest in this class, but the high seat bottoms support your legs the whole way, so even long rides are more comfy. It can be uncomfortable for everyone when there are three adults in the back of a car that’s meant to hold five. Cargo Capacity: Although the Compass appears to have a good cargo volume on paper and a boxy shape, it doesn’t offer the most room for goods or luggage in its class. In our previous test of the Compass, it managed to fit only 17 carry-on bags with the seats folded, partly because the rear seatbacks did not fold completely flat. In contrast, the Ford Escape is capable of holding as many as 21 carry-on bags. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG Highway fuel economy test at 75 mph resulted in 35 mpg. The EPA reports a fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city. The EPA highway rating is 32 mpg. The EPA should not change its mind about the 2026 Compass’s fuel economy until they do.The 2025 model recorded 27 mpg in city driving, 32 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg in combined conditions. We were pleased with its 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which was 3 mpg better than the EPA’s estimate. The Mazda CX-5 got 32 mpg on the highway at 75 mph, while the CX-5 turbo got 30 mpg. The gas mileage for a Honda CR-V EX-L with all-wheel drive was 31 miles per gallon. Infotainment and Connectivity Infotainment: For entertainment, there is a basic 8.4-inch touchscreen and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. Connectivity: There are several ways to connect, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto wireless, and an auxiliary audio input port. Audio System: Alpine sound system with nine speakers (optional); radio with six speakers (standard). The 8.4-inch base touchscreen on the Compass can connect to smartphones running Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and can also recognize and navigate using natural voice commands. Latitude and Trailhawk models feature a 10.1-inch screen and support mirroring your phone via Bluetooth. Two 12-volt power outlets are positioned towards the back passenger, and two USB-A and one USB-C connections are included as standard. Range, Charging, and Battery Life In testing, the invoice-priced model accelerated from a complete stop to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. The turbocharged Mazda CX-50 is faster than the Jeep Compass (6.4 seconds), but the non-hybrid Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are faster (8.1 and 8.3 seconds, respectively). Towing and Payload Capacity Two thousand pounds is the maximum weight that can be pulled. The small Jeep Compass can tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped, but it’s not the best choice for those who need to haul a lot of cargo. The Compass can tow approximately the same amount of weight as the Mazda CX-5, but it can tow up to 500 pounds more than the Volkswagen Tiguan and Honda CR-V. Price and How to Choose The 2026 Jeep Compass is offered at prices ranging from $32,590 to $37,740, depending on the selected features and configurations. With the Sport trim no longer offered, the Latitude Altitude now serves as the entry-level model, though the Limited trim may raise some doubts. The Limited adds adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a power driver’s seat, leatherette door and seat trims, and a few other niceties for a fair price. The Compass comes in only one free paint color this year, just as it did last year: white. Add $595 if you’d like something brighter.
