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:

    Child-Protection Door Lock System — Rear Doors
    To provide a safer environment for small children riding in the rear seats, the rear doors are equipped with a Child-Protection Door Lock system. To use the system, open each rear door, use a fla ...

    Shift Positions
    For additional information on the appropriate use of each transfer case mode position, see the information below: 2H Position This range is used for normal street and highway driving on hard-surfa ...

    Quadra-Trac II Operating Instructions/ Precautions – If Equipped
    The Quadra-Trac II transfer case is fully automatic in the normal driving 4WD AUTO mode. The Quadra-Trac II transfer case provides three mode positions: • 4WD HI • NEUTRAL • 4WD LOW ...