Jeep Compass review: Large, in charge, and ready for anything

Join us as we get behind the wheel of the Jeep Compass to see if it's the capable family SUV it looks like

Jeep cars carry that distinctive, rugged SUV charm, and they pair it with genuine off-road capability. But in this new electric world, Jeep needs to keep up.

That's where the Jeep Compass comes into play.

A Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) or fully electric (EV) model gives you plenty of choice over how you want to go electric.

We drove the MHEV, which means no charging. Just fill up and go, and it tops up the battery itself as you drive, squeezing more miles out of every tank.

With a terrain selector and plenty of space on offer, could this be the perfect car for a family that spends every weekend outdoors? Let's find out.

What we drove

• Model: Jeep Compass Summit MHEV 4x2 Auto
• Engine: 1.2-litre turbo three-cylinder mild hybrid, 136hp petrol engine plus 21kW/28hp electric motor (48V, 0.9kWh battery)
• Transmission: Six-speed EDCT automatic with auto start/stop
• Body style: SUV
• Euro NCAP: Four stars
• Fuel efficiency: 49.6mpg

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Rugged looks that mean business

There's no denying it: The Jeep Compass is a beast of an SUV.

It's a Jeep through and through, with squared-off styling cues that lean straight into the brand's off-road heritage.

We shot the Compass against the rugged backdrop of Dartmoor, and it looked entirely at home against that dramatic scenery.

It's also hiding some fun easter eggs, if you know where to look:

• The hidden gecko: A small 3D gecko tucked near the base of the windscreen wipers, symbolising its grip on any surface
• The Loch Ness Monster: A silhouette of the mythical sea creature swimming along the rear windscreen, a nod to the Compass's water-fording capability
• Willys MB silhouette: A small tribute to the original Jeep, hidden in the windscreen corner or on the centre wheel caps
• Seven-slot grille motifs: The iconic Jeep grille pattern reappears throughout the car, from the headlights and taillights to the gear shifter surround

Built for muddy boots, not black tie

Step inside and the outdoorsy theme continues, easter eggs and all.

The footwell mats have rocky, mountainous terrain moulded straight into them, a small but characterful touch.

There are some harder plastics dotted around too, which knock the sense of premium-ness back a notch.

But would soft-touch fabrics really make sense in a car built for any terrain? Good luck getting the mud out of those.

Round the back, boot space comes in at 550 litres, more than enough for weekend kit, sports gear and whatever else outdoor family life throws at it.

Smooth, powerful, unbothered by hills

The Jeep Compass comes in three flavours, depending on how green you want to go: PHEV, MHEV or EV.

We drove the mild hybrid, which needs no charging cable but still benefits from extra efficiency through regenerative braking. The result is a smooth drive with plenty of power behind it.

Hills don't faze it, and it soaks up bumps with the ease you'd expect from an off-roading master.

Despite its size, it feels composed and confident on country lanes too.

There's a terrain selector on board as well, so whatever road (or track) you find yourself on, the Compass is ready for it. Including water, thanks to its built-in water-fording capability.

Level 2 autonomous driving tech comes as standard, bundling in adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to take some of the strain out of longer journeys.

No plug required, but plenty of choice if you want one

MHEVs are a great stepping stone on the electric journey. They're greener than a standard petrol or diesel, but without the need for a charging cable, often the most daunting part of going electric.

The MHEV we drove returns up to 49.6mpg (WLTP Comb), with the regenerative braking helping to eke out a few extra miles.

Step up to the PHEV and you gain a charging cable, but keep petrol power as backup, so running low never has to be a dealbreaker. Some PHEVs now offer up to 90 miles of electric range, and the Compass PHEV manages up to 149mpg (WLTP Comb).

Go fully electric with the EV and the Compass delivers up to 285 miles of range (WLTP Comb), with no petrol involved at all.

Safety and warranties

The Jeep Compass earns a four-star Euro NCAP rating (tested 2025), with solid scores across the board:

• Adult occupant protection: 80%
• Child occupant protection: 85%
• Vulnerable road user protection: 74%
• Safety assist: 66%

It's a strong result, even if some rivals now push for the full five stars.

That's backed up by a generous list of standard safety tech:

• Matrix LED headlamps
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keeping assist
• Front airbags, belt pretensioners and load limiters across all seating positions
• 360° protection via the Selec-Terrain system

Jeep also backs the Compass with a comprehensive warranty.

You get two years of unlimited-mileage cover against manufacturing faults, extending into a third year provided you're under 60,000 miles.

Paintwork is covered for three years, and perforation cover runs for two years on sheet metal panels and seven years on the visible outer-body panels you'd notice walking around the car.

All of this is valid across the EU, plus 15 other countries and regions, so the cover travels with you.

What's good, and what's not

The good bits:

• Soaks up bumps with ease
• Confident and composed on country lanes
• Didn't struggle on hill climbs
• Characterful design touches (footwell mats, easter eggs)

The not-so-good bits:

• Some noticeably cheap-feeling plastics inside
• Not the most premium cabin at this price point
• Four-star NCAP rating, behind some rivals' five-star scores

What's the verdict?

Overall rating: 7.5

The Jeep Compass sets out to be a genuinely capable family SUV, and largely, it delivers.

It handles hills, bumps and country lanes with real composure, and the terrain selector and water-fording capability give it a level of confidence you don't always find in this class.

The cabin does show a few cost-cutting compromises.

Some of the plastics feel a little harder than you'd want at this price point, and the four-star NCAP rating sits just behind some five-star rivals.

But neither is a dealbreaker, especially once you factor in the choice of MHEV, PHEV or EV power, letting you pick your own pace into electrification.

For a family that spends its weekends outdoors, the Compass makes a genuinely strong case for itself.

Top five reasons to consider the Jeep Compass:

1. Genuinely capable on rugged terrain and country roads
2. Spacious, practical cabin for family life with a generous boot
3. Choice of MHEV, PHEV or full EV powertrains to suit how you drive
4. Distinctive, rugged Jeep styling that stands out
5. Solid, EU-wide warranty package for extra peace of mind

Would we recommend leasing the Jeep Compass?

Yes, especially if your weekends revolve around muddy boots and the great outdoors.

The Compass handles hills, bumps and country lanes with genuine confidence, the terrain selector and water-fording capability add real reassurance, and the choice of MHEV, PHEV or EV power means there's a version to suit however you want to drive.

Yes, some of the cabin plastics feel a little like cost-cutting. And yes, the four-star NCAP rating trails a few rivals.

But for a family that wants a spacious, capable SUV without committing fully to electric just yet, the Jeep Compass makes a genuinely compelling choice.