2023 Jeep Compass easily finds its way from city streets to off-road

Now in its second generation, the 2023 Jeep Compass, a two-row SUV seating five, was introduced in 2007. This model year, it gains a more powerful, fuel-efficient turbocharged engine and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is no longer offered. All wheel drive is now standard equipment. Other enhancements include the addition of a drowsy driver monitor and a rear seat reminder system.

Compass trim levels range from basic to plush, including Sport, Latitude, Altitude, Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude.

As mentioned, all models feature AWD with Jeep's Selec-Terrain's Snow, Sand and Mud settings. Drivers intent upon off-roading in the boonies would do well to opt for the Trailhawk, the most off-road-worthy Compass in the lineup. In addition to additional ground clearance, Trailhawk, shod with all-terrain tires, boasts hill descent control, skid plates, tow hooks and crawler gear. Rock Mode keeps Compass in granny gear and selectively directs torque to wheels with traction.

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The new direct-injected, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo motor boasts 20 more horsepower than the engine it replaces (200 horsepower versus 180 horsepower) plus a nearly 50 pound-foot increase in torque. The bump in performance is welcome at highway speeds when merging into traffic and passing slow pokes on Highway 30. The added power also helps maneuver challenging terrain.

My test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. As for mileage, the new turbo four is more fuel efficient than the naturally aspirated motor it replaces. The EPA estimates the 2023 Jeep Compass will travel 24 miles per gallon on city streets and 32 mpg on the highway, with 27 mpg combined. That's two more MPGs than last year.

For 2023, Jeep suspension engineers retuned the springs, added frequency selective dampers, modified the steering rack, and added a stouter rear stabilizer bar. Know the Compass is a Jeep, not a Lamborghini Countach. The ride is comfortable. Noise and vibration intrusion are minimal. Underway Compass is more agile than its tall, boxy profile suggests. One feels a hint of body roll in the seat of the pants when hard cornering.

Compass is blessed because standard comes with a litany of advanced driver aids, including blind-spot warning with a rear cross-traffic warning, hill-start assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and a rearview camera. Higher trim levels add Active Driving Assist, hill-descent control, rear parking sensors, active parking assistance, traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive cruise control.

While Compass isn't a large SUV, the Trailhawk version's lifted body makes it a little more challenging for kids to climb aboard or adults loading cargo. There are two sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The back middle seat borrows lower anchors from either outboard seat.

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Rear seats fold flat, effectively doubling cargo space. The standard manual liftgate is easy to operate, with the optional hands-free power liftgate a must-have item.

Compass' Uconnect 5 interfaces with the Jeep app to lock/unlock doors remotely, start the engine, or send navigation directions from a phone to the infotainment system. It also enables over-the-air updates to firmware.