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3.9

Jeep Compass

Starts at:
$17,475
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New 2008 Jeep Compass
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Key specifications

Highlights
Gas I4
Engine Type
21 City / 25 Hwy
MPG
172 hp 158 hp
Horsepower
5
Seating Capacity
Engine
2.4L/144
Displacement
Gas I4
Engine Type
172 @ 6000
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
165 @ 4400
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Suspension Type - Front
Not Available
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-link
Suspension Type - Rear
Not Available
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Weight & Capacity
N/A
Curb Weight
14 gal
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
N/A
Curb Weight - Front
N/A
Maximum Trailering Capacity
Safety
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Brake Assist
Electrical
120
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
525
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
Brakes
Not Available in
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Yes
Disc - Front (Yes or )
4-Wheel
Brake ABS System
Power
Brake Type

Notable features

Front- or all-wheel drive
Standard stability system and curtain airbags
Five-speed manual or CVT automatic
Backseat and front passenger seat fold
Stain-resistant upholstery

Engine

2.4L/144 Displacement
Gas I4 Engine Type
172 @ 6000 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
165 @ 4400 SAE Net Torque @ RPM

Suspension

MacPherson Strut Suspension Type - Front
Not Available Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-link Suspension Type - Rear
Not Available Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Weight & Capacity

N/A Curb Weight
14 gal Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
N/A Curb Weight - Front
N/A Maximum Trailering Capacity
3,014 lbs Base Curb Weight
1,000 lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
N/A Maximum Payload Capacity
N/A Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx
1,000 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
0 lbs Total Option Weight
N/A Curb Weight - Rear
100 lbs Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
100 lbs Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.

Safety

Standard Stability Control
Standard Brake Assist

Electrical

120 Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
525 Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

Brakes

Not Available in Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Yes Disc - Front (Yes or )
4-Wheel Brake ABS System
Power Brake Type
11.5 x 1.0 in Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness
Yes Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Not Available Disc - Rear (Yes or )
N/A Brake ABS System (Second Line)

Photo & video gallery

2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass 2008 Jeep Compass

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
3 years
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / less than 75,000 miles
Basic
3 months / 3,000 miles
Dealer certification
125-point inspection

The good & the bad

The good

Gas mileage
Ease of entry/exit
Versatility
Standard safety equipment
Fully independent suspension

The bad

Least offroad-capable Jeep
Limited towing capacity
Base model meekly equipped
Some cheap interior pieces
Lackluster acceleration with CVT

Consumer reviews

3.9 / 5
Based on 37 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 3.7
Performance 3.7
Value 4.0
Exterior 3.9
Reliability 4.0

Most recent

bought the compass limited new in 2008.

bought the compass limited new in 2008. love the fact it has a lifetime warranty on the engine & transmission (the only year jeep had it). did have front end problems when new, gave the dealer 2 chances to find & fix the loud cracking noise it made. they kept insisting there was no problem, but replaced right front axle. that didn't solve the problem so i did my own research & found that certain chrysler, dodge & jeeps had undersized control arm bolts. dealer fixed problem after i showed them the technical service bulletin advising dealers to replace the bolts. did have a problem in 2020 with the computer not recognizing the key, so car would not start. very vexing, as it took the dealer 3 attempts to fix the problem, which turned out to be a connector. had to have the alternator replaced in 2021. asked mechanic what genius thought it was a good idea to place the alternator under the engine, making it necessary to evacuate a/c & remove a/c lines to replace alternator. had new serpentine belt installed at the same time. 2023 had to have the oil pan gasket replaced. aha! lifetime warranty came into play---no charge. gas mileage is great, approx 20 mpg city/28 highway. car is peppy, seating very comfortable in front with driver side lumbar support & heated seats, if you are short, back seat is good, somewhat tight for taller person. cargo area is adequate. one drawback is the fact that it's a bit noisy if you only have 1 window open, you have to counter it by opening the opposite window. window guards helped with that. great sound system. good looking exterior. the "silver bullet" as i call it still looks good after 16 yrs.
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 5.0
Value 5.0
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 5.0
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Shut this dealer down already!!!!!

Car died 2 days after purchase. This dealer sells lemons. Avoid, avoid, avoid. I purchased a vehicle that died after only 2 days. He doesn't even offer warranties because the vehicles are not functionabale.
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
Comfort 1.0
Interior 1.0
Performance 1.0
Value 1.0
Exterior 1.0
Reliability 1.0
23 people out of 29 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Photo of David Thomas

2008 Jeep Compass review: Our expert's take

By David Thomas

Editor’s note: This review was written in August 2006 about the 4×4 version of the 2007 Jeep Compass. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what details are different this year, check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

Jeep is billing the Compass as a competitor for small SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. That’s a lofty comparison, and even though the Compass costs as much as those vehicles when given just a few options — like a continuously variable transmission and 4×4 — it is not a small SUV. Even with the Jeep name on the front, the Compass is clearly a car. Yes, you heard me, a car.

It might look like an SUV, but its dimensions, suspension, ride height and driving personality are all car. Why is this important? Two reasons: Consumers are being sold one thing and getting another, and when you make the right comparisons, the Compass doesn’t hold up to its real-car competition.

While the Compass is adequate and in some regards above average, it isn’t going to set the world on fire. It’s a gamble by Chrysler, which is not in the best financial position right now. It’s interesting to note that when the Compass was given the green light — along with its more handsome sibling, the upcoming Jeep Patriot, and Dodge’s already released Caliber — Chrysler was awash in profits. Company execs were so giddy that instead of green-lighting one Jeep car/SUV to be built alongside the Caliber, they approved two. Now that decision is coming back to haunt them.

Exterior
Most debate about the Compass will come from its exterior; no one will say it isn’t daring. My black test vehicle made the most of all the Compass’ jutting edges and odd exterior light placements. Around front — where cars used to have bumpers — an odd lower lip juts out. Black thankfully hides this design element, but other colors do not. This is where many people find fault with the look.

Otherwise, the side glass that tapers off toward the rear of the Compass looks contemporary, as does the sporty spoiler above the rear liftgate. A tough stance adds Jeep authority from afar, but there isn’t much to back it up underneath.

The Inside
Chrysler can no longer get by on flashy exterior designs alone. Over the past few years, as good-looking vehicles like the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled out, everyone overlooked their relatively bulky and, let’s just say it, cheap plastic interiors. In this $15,995 Compass, the interior is even more plasticky.

Here’s where that Jeep nameplate helps out; because Jeep, unlike Dodge, is known as an offroad brand, there are rugged cues that make the plastic less offensive than in the more street-oriented Caliber. Meaning, if a car looks like it’s going to get muddy, you don’t want it to look too nice.

There are also convenient cubbies and cupholders in all the right places. There’s even a slot above the glove box that’s perfect for a run to the post office.

My tester’s cloth seats were supportive and felt good to the touch, as did the roof lining. The steering wheel also felt great; it was made of soft plastic and was just the right size for any driver. An oversized shift lever was kind of bulky, but it didn’t impair drivability. The gauges — with little cardinal points to play up the Compass name — were pretty cool and looked more expensive than the rest of the interior.

That said, I just couldn’t get over the rough seams where one plastic part met another. They can scratch the skin — they were that unfinished. When my wife got into the car for the first time she used the word “cheap” immediately. I told her it cost a lot less than her 2004 Grand Cherokee, though. About $10,000 less. She quickly changed her tune, saying, “It’s not that bad.”

Even after a week, though, I’m sure I could only live with the Compass’ interior if I got a version of the car that was closer to the $15,985 base price and not the $21,185 tester price.

Ride & Handling
Before this review starts sounding like a bash fest, there is some good news. For an entry-level product, the Compass handles a lot better than it should. Steering feel is light without giving up any accuracy. You can zip through traffic and around corners just like you can in any sporty compact car.

There was a fair amount of road noise on the highway, which can be expected in the compact segment, but it wasn’t as noticeable as in the Dodge Caliber. Wind noise was light, and the ride over a torn-up highway of grooved pavement was much better than I imagined. An above-average driving feel like this is much harder to attain than a quality interior, so it’s a good thing Jeep got this right.

Going & Stopping
Want a thrilling driving experience? This Jeep doesn’t have one, but that’s OK; you don’t need to peel out at traffic lights if you’re driving a Compass. What you need to know is that at highway speeds, the Compass doesn’t waver. With some heavy boxes in the back and my wife in the passenger seat I was doing more than 80 without noticing it on the highway (this one was well-paved).

Now here’s where we have to talk about the CVT. The three-lettered transmission option might be a mystery to car buyers, but it shouldn’t be. Just think of it as an advanced automatic transmission that transitions between gears very smoothly — so smoothly that most people wind up missing the jolts a standard automatic delivers when shifting from one gear to the next. The CVT is also supposed to aid in fuel economy. I was very disappointed, though, with the 23/26 mpg city/highway of the Compass. Even with all-wheel drive, it barely contends with a much more outdated Subaru Impreza. It might compare to those compact SUVs we mentioned before, like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, but it doesn’t come close to compact hatchbacks like the Mazda3 and Toyota Matrix.

The 172-horsepower engine was pretty hum-drum and nowhere near as exciting as the same setup in the Caliber. It was driving at highway speeds that made me enjoy the Compass as a competent commuter, not the launches from stoplights.

Braking wasn’t nearly as acceptable; during one real-life emergency braking maneuver there was significant shudder from the brakes that had me a bit tense. Brake feel in day-to-day driving, however, was solid.

Safety
For an entry-level vehicle the Compass comes stacked with safety features. Side curtain airbags, traction control, an electronic stability system and antilock brakes all come standard at the $15,985 entry price.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released crash-test results for the Compass’ sibling, the Dodge Caliber. It received a Good rating, the best possible, in the frontal crash test, but got a Marginal score, the second worst possible, in both side-impact and rear-impact tests. While the two vehicles aren’t identical, the results should be similar for the Compass.

Cargo
The Compass boasts a hard-floor cargo area as a plus. Personally I prefer carpet back there, mainly because my dog — a boxer — hates standing on the slick plastic when the back seats are flipped forward. Otherwise the cargo area size and height were ideal for her. The rear windows were right at her head level, and she could stick her face out the window all day long if she wanted.

The Compass is just adequate for cargo, and here’s where those comparisons to the CR-V and RAV4 fall apart. The Compass has 21.9 cubic feet of cargo room with the seats up and 52.5 with the seats folded. The RAV4 is significantly larger at 36.4 cubic feet and 73 cubic feet, respectively. The CR-V has 33.5 cubic feet and 72 cubic feet, respectively.

That’s why consumers should compare the Compass to other car-based hatchbacks, like the Mazda3 or Toyota Matrix; in this category the Compass easily bests them. If cargo is a major concern, the Compass has to be ruled out of a shopping comparison with small SUVs. But if you just want the utility, it’s better than most hatchbacks. Just go into the dealership in the right frame of mind.

Features
There are a few spiffy features in the Compass. An optional Musicgate stereo system is also a must, not because the rear speakers flip outward when the tailgate is lifted, transforming the Compass into an impromptu boom box, but because the sound inside when the rear is closed is far superior to the stock system. It’s the one option I’d opt for.

There’s also a holder built into the armrest for iPods or other MP3 players. I found this awkward to use with my iTunes-enabled cell phone and not at all comfortable as an armrest while driving. Instead I just dropped the cell phone into a handy cubby below the shifter and left iTunes on shuffle. There it was out of sight and out of mind, and that wasn’t even the intended use.

A standard rear dome light pops out of the roof lining for use as a flashlight. I honestly can’t remember the last time I needed a flashlight while looking around my trunk, and during the week of testing nothing came up that needed such illumination.

Compass in the Market
Jeep is going to have a tough time selling the Compass. Sure it’s the least expensive vehicle on the lot, but it doesn’t deliver as an SUV, even a small one. Its price and just-average fuel economy keep it out of the compact car debate. In the end, it’s this weird limbo that makes it hard to justify the Compass to a real-world buyer. If someone wants economy and utility, they’ll stick with a Mazda3 or another hatchback. If they want an SUV for higher ride height and more cargo room, they’ll get a RAV4 or even the Jeep Liberty. Trying to be all things to all people, the Compass ends up not winning over any segment.

Send David an email  
Read more

Editor’s note: This review was written in August 2006 about the 4×4 version of the 2007 Jeep Compass. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what details are different this year, check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

Jeep is billing the Compass as a competitor for small SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. That’s a lofty comparison, and even though the Compass costs as much as those vehicles when given just a few options — like a continuously variable transmission and 4×4 — it is not a small SUV. Even with the Jeep name on the front, the Compass is clearly a car. Yes, you heard me, a car.

It might look like an SUV, but its dimensions, suspension, ride height and driving personality are all car. Why is this important? Two reasons: Consumers are being sold one thing and getting another, and when you make the right comparisons, the Compass doesn’t hold up to its real-car competition.

While the Compass is adequate and in some regards above average, it isn’t going to set the world on fire. It’s a gamble by Chrysler, which is not in the best financial position right now. It’s interesting to note that when the Compass was given the green light — along with its more handsome sibling, the upcoming Jeep Patriot, and Dodge’s already released Caliber — Chrysler was awash in profits. Company execs were so giddy that instead of green-lighting one Jeep car/SUV to be built alongside the Caliber, they approved two. Now that decision is coming back to haunt them.

Exterior
Most debate about the Compass will come from its exterior; no one will say it isn’t daring. My black test vehicle made the most of all the Compass’ jutting edges and odd exterior light placements. Around front — where cars used to have bumpers — an odd lower lip juts out. Black thankfully hides this design element, but other colors do not. This is where many people find fault with the look.

Otherwise, the side glass that tapers off toward the rear of the Compass looks contemporary, as does the sporty spoiler above the rear liftgate. A tough stance adds Jeep authority from afar, but there isn’t much to back it up underneath.

The Inside
Chrysler can no longer get by on flashy exterior designs alone. Over the past few years, as good-looking vehicles like the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled out, everyone overlooked their relatively bulky and, let’s just say it, cheap plastic interiors. In this $15,995 Compass, the interior is even more plasticky.

Here’s where that Jeep nameplate helps out; because Jeep, unlike Dodge, is known as an offroad brand, there are rugged cues that make the plastic less offensive than in the more street-oriented Caliber. Meaning, if a car looks like it’s going to get muddy, you don’t want it to look too nice.

There are also convenient cubbies and cupholders in all the right places. There’s even a slot above the glove box that’s perfect for a run to the post office.

My tester’s cloth seats were supportive and felt good to the touch, as did the roof lining. The steering wheel also felt great; it was made of soft plastic and was just the right size for any driver. An oversized shift lever was kind of bulky, but it didn’t impair drivability. The gauges — with little cardinal points to play up the Compass name — were pretty cool and looked more expensive than the rest of the interior.

That said, I just couldn’t get over the rough seams where one plastic part met another. They can scratch the skin — they were that unfinished. When my wife got into the car for the first time she used the word “cheap” immediately. I told her it cost a lot less than her 2004 Grand Cherokee, though. About $10,000 less. She quickly changed her tune, saying, “It’s not that bad.”

Even after a week, though, I’m sure I could only live with the Compass’ interior if I got a version of the car that was closer to the $15,985 base price and not the $21,185 tester price.

Ride & Handling
Before this review starts sounding like a bash fest, there is some good news. For an entry-level product, the Compass handles a lot better than it should. Steering feel is light without giving up any accuracy. You can zip through traffic and around corners just like you can in any sporty compact car.

There was a fair amount of road noise on the highway, which can be expected in the compact segment, but it wasn’t as noticeable as in the Dodge Caliber. Wind noise was light, and the ride over a torn-up highway of grooved pavement was much better than I imagined. An above-average driving feel like this is much harder to attain than a quality interior, so it’s a good thing Jeep got this right.

Going & Stopping
Want a thrilling driving experience? This Jeep doesn’t have one, but that’s OK; you don’t need to peel out at traffic lights if you’re driving a Compass. What you need to know is that at highway speeds, the Compass doesn’t waver. With some heavy boxes in the back and my wife in the passenger seat I was doing more than 80 without noticing it on the highway (this one was well-paved).

Now here’s where we have to talk about the CVT. The three-lettered transmission option might be a mystery to car buyers, but it shouldn’t be. Just think of it as an advanced automatic transmission that transitions between gears very smoothly — so smoothly that most people wind up missing the jolts a standard automatic delivers when shifting from one gear to the next. The CVT is also supposed to aid in fuel economy. I was very disappointed, though, with the 23/26 mpg city/highway of the Compass. Even with all-wheel drive, it barely contends with a much more outdated Subaru Impreza. It might compare to those compact SUVs we mentioned before, like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, but it doesn’t come close to compact hatchbacks like the Mazda3 and Toyota Matrix.

The 172-horsepower engine was pretty hum-drum and nowhere near as exciting as the same setup in the Caliber. It was driving at highway speeds that made me enjoy the Compass as a competent commuter, not the launches from stoplights.

Braking wasn’t nearly as acceptable; during one real-life emergency braking maneuver there was significant shudder from the brakes that had me a bit tense. Brake feel in day-to-day driving, however, was solid.

Safety
For an entry-level vehicle the Compass comes stacked with safety features. Side curtain airbags, traction control, an electronic stability system and antilock brakes all come standard at the $15,985 entry price.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released crash-test results for the Compass’ sibling, the Dodge Caliber. It received a Good rating, the best possible, in the frontal crash test, but got a Marginal score, the second worst possible, in both side-impact and rear-impact tests. While the two vehicles aren’t identical, the results should be similar for the Compass.

Cargo
The Compass boasts a hard-floor cargo area as a plus. Personally I prefer carpet back there, mainly because my dog — a boxer — hates standing on the slick plastic when the back seats are flipped forward. Otherwise the cargo area size and height were ideal for her. The rear windows were right at her head level, and she could stick her face out the window all day long if she wanted.

The Compass is just adequate for cargo, and here’s where those comparisons to the CR-V and RAV4 fall apart. The Compass has 21.9 cubic feet of cargo room with the seats up and 52.5 with the seats folded. The RAV4 is significantly larger at 36.4 cubic feet and 73 cubic feet, respectively. The CR-V has 33.5 cubic feet and 72 cubic feet, respectively.

That’s why consumers should compare the Compass to other car-based hatchbacks, like the Mazda3 or Toyota Matrix; in this category the Compass easily bests them. If cargo is a major concern, the Compass has to be ruled out of a shopping comparison with small SUVs. But if you just want the utility, it’s better than most hatchbacks. Just go into the dealership in the right frame of mind.

Features
There are a few spiffy features in the Compass. An optional Musicgate stereo system is also a must, not because the rear speakers flip outward when the tailgate is lifted, transforming the Compass into an impromptu boom box, but because the sound inside when the rear is closed is far superior to the stock system. It’s the one option I’d opt for.

There’s also a holder built into the armrest for iPods or other MP3 players. I found this awkward to use with my iTunes-enabled cell phone and not at all comfortable as an armrest while driving. Instead I just dropped the cell phone into a handy cubby below the shifter and left iTunes on shuffle. There it was out of sight and out of mind, and that wasn’t even the intended use.

A standard rear dome light pops out of the roof lining for use as a flashlight. I honestly can’t remember the last time I needed a flashlight while looking around my trunk, and during the week of testing nothing came up that needed such illumination.

Compass in the Market
Jeep is going to have a tough time selling the Compass. Sure it’s the least expensive vehicle on the lot, but it doesn’t deliver as an SUV, even a small one. Its price and just-average fuel economy keep it out of the compact car debate. In the end, it’s this weird limbo that makes it hard to justify the Compass to a real-world buyer. If someone wants economy and utility, they’ll stick with a Mazda3 or another hatchback. If they want an SUV for higher ride height and more cargo room, they’ll get a RAV4 or even the Jeep Liberty. Trying to be all things to all people, the Compass ends up not winning over any segment.

Send David an email  
Read more

Safety review

Based on the 2008 Jeep Compass base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
5/5
Side rear passenger
5/5

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