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2009 Jeep Compass Review

June 1, 2009

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Jeep Modern
Kelley Blue Book

less inviting
Edmunds

Lacks the overall refinement...especially in interior decor
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 Jeep Compass has an uncharacteristic style that’s not pleasing to most reviewers. Editors at The CarConnection.com prefer the exterior styling of the Patriot to the 2009 Jeep Compass. Inside, the interior is stark, but purposeful.

The exterior style of the Jeep Compass shares some elements with the entire 2009 Jeep line, including round headlights and the familiar slotted vertical grille. Most viewing angles will reveal uncharacteristically rounded corners and some bloated proportions that are "unusual" and "not rugged," according to Edmunds; "Jeep Modern" is the phrase chosen by Kelley Blue Book. Cars.com mentions that the aluminum trim pieces on the bumpers and doors help distinguish the Jeep Compass from the other small crossovers in the segment. The Jeep Compass shares its architecture with the Dodge Caliber and the Jeep Patriot. Of the Jeep variants, Kelley Blue Book characterizes the Compass as suited to the buyer looking for a more carlike small SUV and says the 2009 Jeep Compass "looks exactly like what it is—a cross between a station wagon and a sport utility vehicle, made by Jeep."

The 2009 Compass has bargain-basement interior styling like its Patriot and Caliber cousins. Vast quantities of hard plastic lead the editors of Edmunds to describe the cabin of the 2009 Jeep Compass as "less inviting" than its Japanese and Korean rivals, a sentiment shared by ConsumerGuide. Cars.com finds more metallic accents, with standard chrome accents added to the door locks, door handles, and radio knobs, which give a little pizzazz to the Compass. Jeep equips the Compass with a two-tone interior as well, to help break up the monotony created by a monochrome interior. Kelley Blue Book has nothing bad to say about the interior, simply referring to it as "contemporarily styled" and "straightforward" in design.

Conclusion

With more rounded corners and a carlike appearance, the 2009 Jeep Compass is a softer version of the Jeep Patriot.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Jeep ModernKelley Blue Bookless invitingEdmundsLacks the overall refinement...especially in interior decorConsumerGuide The 2009 Jeep Compass has an uncharacteristic style that’s not pleasing to most reviewers. Editors at The CarConnection.com prefer the exterior styling of the Patriot to the 2009 Jeep Compass. Inside, the interior is stark, but purposeful. The exterior style of the Jeep Compass shares some elements with the entire 2009 Jeep line, including round headlights and the familiar slotted vertical grille. Most viewing angles will reveal uncharacteristically rounded corners and some bloated proportions that are "unusual" and "not rugged," according to Edmunds; "Jeep Modern" is the phrase chosen by Kelley Blue Book. Cars.com mentions that the aluminum trim pieces on the bumpers and doors help distinguish the Jeep Compass from the other small crossovers in the segment. The Jeep Compass shares its architecture with the Dodge Caliber and the Jeep Patriot. Of the Jeep variants, Kelley Blue Book characterizes the Compass as suited to the buyer looking for a more carlike small SUV and says the 2009 Jeep Compass "looks exactly like what it is—a cross between a station wagon and a sport utility vehicle, made by Jeep." The 2009 Compass has bargain-basement interior styling like its Patriot and Caliber cousins. Vast quantities of hard plastic lead the editors of Edmunds to describe the cabin of the 2009 Jeep Compass as "less inviting" than its Japanese and Korean rivals, a sentiment shared by ConsumerGuide. Cars.com finds more metallic accents, with standard chrome accents added to the door locks, door handles, and radio knobs, which give a little pizzazz to the Compass. Jeep equips the Compass with a two-tone interior as well, to help break up the monotony created by a monochrome interior. Kelley Blue Book has nothing bad to say about the interior, simply referring to it as "contemporarily styled" and "straightforward" in design. ConclusionWith more rounded corners and a carlike appearance, the 2009 Jeep Compass is a softer version of the Jeep Patriot. 2009 JEEP COMPASS STYLING | [6 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: " Jeep Modern" Edmunds: "less inviting" ConsumerGuide: "Lacks the overall refinement...especially in interior decor" The 2009 Jeep Compass has an uncharacteristic style that’s not pleasing to most reviewers. Editors at The ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Nissan Rogue is similar to the 2009 Jeep Compass in layout; it also utilizes a four-cylinder engine and a CVT for its powertrain. This combination works better in the Rogue than in the Compass. The Rogue, while simple in its presentation, did not feel or look cheaply screwed together. It's easy to group the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V together, as they represent the best of the small crossover SUVs in several respects. The Honda is more carlike and delivers refinement in all areas where the 2009 Jeep Compass fails. Ditto for the RAV4, but in a vehicle with some off-road capabilities. The Tucson benefits from Hyundai's aggressive pricing-vs.-feature equation (low price with lots of features). A V-6 is available, but we find the styling somewhat awkward. The Tucson's excellent warranty may make you ignore anything you don't like about the styling. It's easy to identify the popular Ford Escape as a reasonable competitor to the Jeep Compass. If you have the opportunity to drive a 2009 Escape, you'll enjoy a much more substantial vehicle that offers V-6 and gas/electric hybrid power in addition to a four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic.

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See the Jeep Compass in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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