2009 Jeep Compass
2009 Jeep Compass Review
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The 2009 Jeep Compass is a compact SUV that shares its basic design with Jeep's Patriot and the Dodge Caliber. The Compass has room for five and is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. There are two trims available, Sport or Limited. New for 2009 is Chrysler's uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a wireless cell phone link, 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music and picture files, and a navigation system with real-time traffic information. The Compass is an affordable compact SUV meant to bring the Jeep name to a broader range of drivers with car-like on-road capability and fuel economy. Overall, Compass makes sense as a functional wagon for people who crave Jeep style but don't need go-anywhere Jeep capability. The Compass may not be able to go off road like its other Jeep siblings, but it can tread lightly off the beaten path thanks to optional all-wheel drive. EPA mileage for the Compass is 21 – 23 mpg for city and 24 – 28 highway. It has a starting MSRP of $18,465 – $24,575.
Compass Power
Standard on all models is a 172-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Manual transmission is standard. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. Available on the front-drive Sport with the CVT is a 158-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder.
Cabin Features
The 2009 Jeep Compass gets a redesigned interior. The new interior includes upgrades to the instrument panel, door trim panel, and center console to go along with chrome accents, a removable carpeted load floor, and illuminated cupholders. The Sport’s radio is upgraded with an MP3 player, and the Limited receives a 6-CD/DVD/MP3 player with SIRIUS satellite radio. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are available. The Compass offers generous headroom; the seats are mounted higher in Compass than in Caliber, expanding ample legroom. The driver seat is height adjustable on most versions. Visibility to front corners and over-the-shoulder is impeded by thick roof pillars and to the rear by tall headrests. Interior dimensions are rather large for the segment, coming in at 123.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, which beats the competitors by a good margin. Cargo volume, though, comes in at 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.6 cubic feet with the second-row bench folded. That's less cargo volume than both the Escape and Element.
Jeep Compass Drive
The Compass strays away from Jeep tradition because it doesn't carry a pretense of off-road capability. As far as handling goes, the Compass lacks the overall refinement of co
mpetitors such as the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. The Compass and Patriot are Jeep's first models with four-wheel-independent suspensions. The brand's other SUVs retain a solid rear axle, which offers advantages in some offroad situations. Fuel economy is decent for the class, but the 4-cylinder engine feels underpowered and coarse. On the road the 2009 Compass is comfortable and stable and easily absorb most road imperfections. Compasses have adequate power, but modest reserve power demands careful planning before passing or highway merging. The Compass is a bit slow in acceleration, going 0-60 mph in a lackluster 9.3 seconds.
Design for 2009
The Compass looks like the child of the previous-generation Liberty and the current Grand Cherokee. The doors have matching moldings that dress up a deliberate accent groove. All models have black mirrors and door handles, not body-colored. The 2009 Compass is 173.4 inches long and 71.3 inches wide; that's about the same as the Escape, but the Element is shorter. The optional RALLYE Group provides 18-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, a body color kit, bright exhaust tip, driving lamp and spoiler.
Summary
Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with brake assist, electronic stability control w/roll mitigation, traction control and side-curtain air bags. The benefits of the 2009 Compass include its decent Gas mileage, its ease of entry/exit, its Versatility, standard safety equipment, and fully independent suspension. The downsides of the Compass are that it is the least offroad-capable Jeep, it’s got limited towing capacity, the base model is meekly equipped, and the Compass has lackluster acceleration with CVT. For more research, read another review of the new Compass.
