New 2017 Jeep Compass To Be Offered Alongside The Old Model, Is It Worth Considering?

Apr 19, 2017 05:30 AM EDT | Mer Estrada

A new 2017 Jeep Compass has arrived, but it won't replace the old one. Two models will be sold side-by-side at the dealers with the newest one having upgraded features. However, Jeep still has not made it easy for consumers to choose Compass over other small SUVs.

The old 2017 Jeep Compass leaves a lot to be desired. The inside is cramped and in poor taste, and the driving experience is frustrating. It even failed its own demonstration at the New York Auto Show. It attempted to drive through Jeep's tallest hill, only to slide back down a couple of times. Granted, it was raining that day, which contributed to its difficulty.

Nonetheless, it spoke greatly of the 2017 Jeep Compass' capability in off-road situations. Further reviews of the supposed off-roader confirmed its lack of appeal. Now, Jeep is attempting to fix it by offering a redesigned model, but it still fails to deliver.

With a 2.4-liter engine that produces 180 horsepower, which was also seen in the Jeep Renegade, the new 2017 Jeep Compass is still slow and rough to drive, especially the automatic transmission. While the wheel handling is okay, the steering is not that responsive.

For an off-roader, the Compass is a bit too picky on roads. It cannot take much of a challenge, but it is still enough for an enjoyable ride in stellar conditions.

The base model starts at $22,090. To get the cool features that will make a bumpy ride more manageable, such as blind-spot warning, power seats, four-wheel drive, and more, interested buyers will have to be prepared to shell out almost $30,000.

At that price, the 2017 Jeep Compass enters direct competition with the Ford Escape and Subaru Forester, both of which are more capable and offer better deals. Still, it is a huge upgrade from the old model, so it may be worth looking into.

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