Safety

For an entry-level vehicle the Compass comes stacked with safety features. Side curtain airbags, traction control, an electronic stability system and antilock brakes all come standard at the $15,985 entry price.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released crash-test results for the Compass' sibling, the Dodge Caliber. It received a Good rating, the best possible, in the frontal crash test, but got a Marginal score, the second worst possible, in both side-impact and rear-impact tests. While the two vehicles aren't identical, the results should be similar for the Compass.

    See also:

    Five-Speed Automatic Transmission (3.6L Engine) — If Equipped
    The shift lever position display (located in the instrument panel cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever out of the PARK position ...

    EVIC Units Selection (Units In Display)
    Displays the units used for the Outside Temperature, Average Fuel Economy, Distance to Empty and Tire Pressure features. Press and release the SELECT button to toggle units between U.S. and METR ...

    Gear Ranges
    DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range. PARK This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this ra ...