Unsurprisingly, Jeep has one of the auto industry's deepest range of crossover and SUV models. Where most manufacturers offer one model in each segment, Jeep has two that compete for shoppers in the subcompact class.
The larger of that pair is the Compass. At this model's introduction more than a decade ago, it was frequently cross-shopped with cars like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape. More recently, Jeep revived the Cherokee name to do battle with those big sellers and kept the Compass around to bridge the gap between the Cherokee and the little Renegade.
Jeep redesigned the Compass into its current shape for the 2017 model year, so there are minor changes for this year. Sport trim can be newly optioned with an Upland special edition package that adds wheels, fascia, tow hooks and front skid plate from the Trailhawk model, plus some other cosmetic touches.
Limited trim adds an optional High Altitude appearance pack that, despite being labeled an appearance option actually brings some functional bits. It comes with 19-inch wheels, navigation, HID headlights with LED daytime running lights and satin gloss and gloss black exterior trim.
Also new is a Sting Grey paint colour, adaptive cruise control for the optional advance safety package and a standard 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for Sport and North trims.
Like last year, the Compass comes in four trims -- Sport, North, Limited and Trailhawk, plus Altitude and High Altitude sub-trims that build on the North and Limited variants -- all powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 180 hp/175 lb-ft of torque. Front-drive models (Sport and North) start with a six-speed manual transmission that options to a a six-speed automatic. 4x4 variants use a nine-speed automatic.
The Compass's 2017 restyle and its Grand Cherokee-esque appearance did good things for this vehicle, lending it a more upscale appearance. That's good, because the crossover market's popularity means lots of competition from nice vehicles like the Nissan Qashqai and not-quite-crossovers like VW's Golf Alltrack.
Standard kit at base level includes 16-inch steel wheels, six-way manual front seats, air conditioning and Uconnect infotainment with this year's new 7.0-inch touchscreen.
North adds fuel-saving auto stop/start for the engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights with cornering fog lights, passive keyless entry, LED ambient cabin lighting and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
Limited brings 18-inch wheels, 7.0-inch gauge cluster info display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, 12-way power driver's seat, windshield wiper de-icer and an 8.4-inch infotainment screen.
Trailhawk trades down to 17-inch wheels with grippier tires, low-range gearing, off-road drive modes, underbody shielding, tow hooks and off-road suspension.
Fuel consumption estimates are 10.4/7.3 L/100 km (city/highway) with FWD and the stickshift and 10.6/7.6 with the six-speed auto. 4x4 models are rated 10.8/7.8 L/100 km.
