I love how they recommend something that has zero history. Given Ford's current situation with quality, I don't understand how they can do that. But it is Ford, and they get a pass.
2023 Jeep Compass First Drive Review: New Cabin, New Engine, Still Just Shy of Greatness
From the article:
Then there’s the updated engine, which is a mixed bag. Relative to the old engine, it is an astronomical improvement. Relative to the market, it is just barely on par. It still has some lingering noise and vibration issues, even with efforts to curtail them. At idle in drive, the engine’s primary, loping vibrations come through the steering wheel slightly. It’s not isolated that well either, with lots of accessory noise permeating through the firewall, especially the high-pitched twittering of the direct fuel injection.
It also doesn’t feel particularly potent. The engine is rated at 221 lb-ft but it feels like it only makes that power in a narrow range. It’s all about the low-end torque, but even then the Compass still feels slightly sluggish from stops. Once it's on an open highway, it’s straight up slow. The engine groans and grumbles to deliver power, transmitting a lot of its '90s-sounding buzz to the cabin.
Full article here:
2023 Jeep Compass First Drive Review: New Cabin, New Engine, Still Just Shy of Greatness (thedrive.com)
Then there’s the updated engine, which is a mixed bag. Relative to the old engine, it is an astronomical improvement. Relative to the market, it is just barely on par. It still has some lingering noise and vibration issues, even with efforts to curtail them. At idle in drive, the engine’s primary, loping vibrations come through the steering wheel slightly. It’s not isolated that well either, with lots of accessory noise permeating through the firewall, especially the high-pitched twittering of the direct fuel injection.
It also doesn’t feel particularly potent. The engine is rated at 221 lb-ft but it feels like it only makes that power in a narrow range. It’s all about the low-end torque, but even then the Compass still feels slightly sluggish from stops. Once it's on an open highway, it’s straight up slow. The engine groans and grumbles to deliver power, transmitting a lot of its '90s-sounding buzz to the cabin.
Full article here:
2023 Jeep Compass First Drive Review: New Cabin, New Engine, Still Just Shy of Greatness (thedrive.com)
101 - 112 of 112 Posts
HUH? Where do you get the idea that the Maverick Hybrid has no history? Its not exactly brand new anymore. CR gives its quality opinions on their own readers returned surveys. They dont recommend the non hybrid BTW. There are a ton of Ford models they dont recommend. Saying CR gives Ford a pass is a truly bizarre thing to say.I love how they recommend something that has zero history. Given Ford's current situation with quality, I don't understand how they can do that. But it is Ford, and they get a pass.
It has no history. When CR bases something from Mopar they automatically downgrade it because of something that may happened years before to a totally unrelated vehicle.
UPDATE:My brother and sister-in-law just traded their 2019 Compass for a 2023 Bronco Sport. Their Compass was relatively trouble-free, but they never really cared much for it. Worse, they didn’t trust it after the similar 9-speed automatic transmission on their 2015 Renegade croaked the week the warranty ended - suddenly, they were out of options and the dealer practically forced them into a Compass.
They took the Compass but never forgot the quality issues with their prior Jeep, or how the Jeep dealer handled things.
When the end of the warranty on their Compass approached, they decided to preempt things by dumping it before they found themselves in a similar situation. And, by that point, even though they had owned Chrysler products for the prior 31 years, buying another Jeep was pretty much out of the question.
My educated guess is that part of the steady decline in sales we are seeing across Jeep’s junior models comes from disenchanted owners leaving the brand. Jeep introduced Renegade and Compass as a step into the brand, and the strong allure of Jeep brand did lure many people in. But between the lackluster driving experience of these vehicles, the spotty quality, and the terrible dealer experience, Jeep is now unable to stem the tide of defection. Add to that Jeep’s delusional pricing, and these Jeeps are simply a non-starter for many buyers.
Like @Adventurer55 says above: unless you have 700 HP —or something unique like a front solid axle, there’s little reason to buy a Stellantis product these days.
I got to drive my sister-in-law’s 2023 Bronco Sport today: the thing looks and feels a lot more substantial than their 2019 Compass.
Bronco Sport is much larger inside and out, more comfortable, is loaded with technology, feels peppy and is more fuel efficient.
I was a bit hesitant about the 1.5T 3-cylinder engine. But it doesn’t feel —or sound— like it’s missing a cylinder.
I can totally see why Bronco Sport is selling like hot cakes, and Compass isn’t. Compass looks and feels cramped, old and outdated.
I wonder if the new interior added for 2022 and the new motor for 2023 would affect what you wrote. Obviously wouldn't change the space.
The last interior was very dark for me. But this new one with the optional colours that can be had makes it feel less claustrophobic.
The last interior was very dark for me. But this new one with the optional colours that can be had makes it feel less claustrophobic.
Drive the Bronco Sport with the 2.0T and you will see why it is so much hotter than the Compass.UPDATE:
I got to drive my sister-in-law’s 2023 Bronco Sport today: the thing looks and feels a lot more substantial than their 2019 Compass.
Bronco Sport is much larger inside and out, more comfortable, is loaded with technology, feels peppy and is more fuel efficient.
I was a bit hesitant about the 1.5T 3-cylinder engine. But it doesn’t feel —or sound— like it’s missing a cylinder.
I can totally see why Bronco Sport is selling like hot cakes, and Compass isn’t. Compass looks and feels cramped, old and outdated.
Bronco Sport gets lower fuel economy, but that power is what sells consumers.
If it doesn't blow up before the warranty is out.Drive the Bronco Sport with the 2.0T and you will see why it is so much hotter than the Compass.
Bronco Sport gets lower fuel economy, but that power is what sells consumers.
Bronco had the defective valves, not Bronco Sport.If it doesn't blow up before the warranty is out.
The 9-speed and the small cargo area (which is made worse by the annoying sloped rear design) are my two complaints with my KL. It's a wonderfully comfortable road trip vehicle that is more capable than the average crossover (basically why I bought it) and 5 years ago the value was pretty good in my humble opinion considering the features included. It does have a bit of a drinking problem, my best tank to date is 27.3 MPG (achieved on my way home from Illinois last month), but it's average MPG over 5+ years is about 19 MPG, lol. I have no idea what I would replace it with at this point. Grand Cherokee 4xe would be great, but it's wildly expensive, there is no more KL, and I'm undecided on a Wrangler.When the 2019 refresh did nothing for sales and volume continued to decline, it was clear that the product was a flop. It became a sub-prime queen that only moved with heavy incentives, just like Renegade and Compass.
Cherokee fuel economy was sub-par in its class and with no improvement, is now like the Liberty was due to neglect.
Liberty launched well to strong sales and the refresh hurt it along with neglect.
Cherokee launched to massive problems and also needed incentives to sell at any volume.
Resale values of the small Jeeps reflects how the market sees them....in the toilet.
Now they think by finally giving Compass a class competitive interior they can command big margins with it. That is not going to happen.
Lastly, the Renegade and Compass 4xe still have not materialized in North America. I realize the supply chain issues caused them to focus on EMEA only, but it would be another boost for these failing products.
I've been pointing out the new Compass to my wife for when we need to replace the Prius, as I would like something for her that has memory seats (she's 5'0" & I'm 6'2") and better ground clearance/tires than the Prius (skinny tires & low ground clearance is not good in snow, or with the rough roads here). The new Prius is too small for me, but we would like to have a hybrid for her still at least. I got her to sit in a new Compass at a dealer last week, which seems to have gone well. I would like to see a hybrid or PHEV version of the Compass, but I'm honestly afraid of the price tag on it, considering that a no options 2023 Compass Trailhawk Elite now costs more than my 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk Elite did with options.
Jeeps in general have drinking problems, and it seems they’ve raised their prices to feed their habit.The 9-speed and the small cargo area (which is made worse by the annoying sloped rear design) are my two complaints with my KL. It's a wonderfully comfortable road trip vehicle that is more capable than the average crossover (basically why I bought it) and 5 years ago the value was pretty good in my humble opinion considering the features included. It does have a bit of a drinking problem, my best tank to date is 27.3 MPG (achieved on my way home from Illinois last month), but it's average MPG over 5+ years is about 19 MPG, lol. I have no idea what I would replace it with at this point. Grand Cherokee 4xe would be great, but it's wildly expensive, there is no more KL, and I'm undecided on a Wrangler.
I've been pointing out the new Compass to my wife for when we need to replace the Prius, as I would like something for her that has memory seats (she's 5'0" & I'm 6'2") and better ground clearance/tires than the Prius (skinny tires & low ground clearance is not good in snow, or with the rough roads here). The new Prius is too small for me, but we would like to have a hybrid for her still at least. I got her to sit in a new Compass at a dealer last week, which seems to have gone well. I would like to see a hybrid or PHEV version of the Compass, but I'm honestly afraid of the price tag on it, considering that a no options 2023 Compass Trailhawk Elite now costs more than my 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk Elite did with options.
Other than Wrangler or Gladiator, there’s nothing else I’m interested in from Jeep. Maybe the new Recon when it comes out, but I can imagine how much it’ll cost.
Not a thing wrong with your memory.My memory might be hazy on this, but didn't Norm warn of this very thing?
For all the whingers about what Sergio didn't do for Chrysler Group, I will repeat myself again. Sergio did not work for Chrysler, or Fiat, he worked for John Elkann and the Agnelli family. Stop being offended when other posters here tell you things you don't want to hear. As posted, Sergio did quite a brilliant job of anticipating the FINANCIAL future of FCA, which was his job. Not to make cars, not to save brands, but to save an entire conglomerate for the future. He did that really well, and should be applauded for seeing his way through a morass.
Am I happy about the state of Chrysler? No, but at least it still exists in some form, and that IS DUE to Sergio as well, and thanks to him, Chrysler still has a fighting chance, which it would not have had without his intervention. So please don't diss other posters who may have the nerve to actually acknowledge the good work that SM did, for both Chrysler and Fiat.
Am I happy about the state of Chrysler? No, but at least it still exists in some form, and that IS DUE to Sergio as well, and thanks to him, Chrysler still has a fighting chance, which it would not have had without his intervention. So please don't diss other posters who may have the nerve to actually acknowledge the good work that SM did, for both Chrysler and Fiat.
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