The Jeep Compass is a small car-based SUV with seating for five passengers. Every Jeep Compass comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 172 hp and 165 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional. Available on front-drive Compass Sport models only is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque. The smaller engine comes only with the CVT and is bundled as part of an expensive option package. It does serve as a more fuel-efficient alternative to getting the CVT with the 2.4-liter, however.

Four-wheel-drive models operate in front-wheel drive in normal situations and automatically and seamlessly apply power to the rear wheels when needed. The system can also be locked, with up to 60 percent of the engine's torque supplied to the rear wheels for better off-road traction. For a 4WD Compass with a CVT, expect a rather pokey 0-60-mph acceleration time of 10.2 seconds and a mediocre 20 mpg city/24 mpg highway EPA mileage rating. Getting a manual transmission or the 2.0-liter engine raises those figures to 22-23 mpg in the city and to 27 on the highway.