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.

    See also:

    Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
    The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) and the transmission must be placed in PARK for recreational towing. The NEUTRAL (N) selection button is adjacent to the transfer case selector ...

    Parksense System Usage Precautions
    NOTE: • Ensure that the rear bumper is free of snow, ice, mud, dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense system operating properly. • Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could affe ...

    Compass Variance
    Compass Variance is the difference between Magnetic North and Geographic North. To compensate for the differences the variance should be set for the zone where the vehicle is driven, per the zon ...