Should you buy a JEEP COMPASS? (Test Drive & Review 2021 1.4T) 

Alright guys, how's it going welcome back

Just been binging your vids the past few days. So refreshing from all the 12 part episodes of ‘I bought an auctioned Ferrari for £1’ trash on RU-vid. Respect your approach to the business and the way you put the vids together so keep it up man. Awesome work.

The issue with Jeep safety comes from the 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee WJ the fuel tank was behind the rear axle so if involved in a rear end collision they could catch fire. To resolve this they were all fitted with tow bars. I had a V8 one and it was excellent off-road and in the snow.

I like your use of language, the way you can describe your experience. You should consider being a car salesman, you've got the patter. 😁

We had a brand new jeep Cherokee back in 2015 , never again, kept it 18 months , nothing but electrical issues to the point every time you changed gear it was a manual , it was cutting into the wiring loom , caused no end of problems . Neve ever again . I’ll stick to my velar.

I hired one in the US, fun to drive, nimble, spacious, loved it.

The rental company gave me one of these in Malaga Airport earlier this year, in bright red with sick black alloys, 1.5 petrol turbo - absolutely loved it! I found it really responsive burning every type of vehicle off on my hilly journey to my casa. Really enjoyed the experience. Drove & handled far better than I expected.

I have a 2L turbo diesel Trailhawk, and that is a totally different car. Powerful engine, economic, and very good offroad. By the way. I am living in Brazil :)

I think the problem with FCA's cars back before the Stellantis merger is that safety didn't really seem to be their top priority. In 2018, they occupied five places (and three of the top four) in the top ten of least safe vehicles on sale, with the Panda at #1 with 0 stars and Wrangler at #2 with 1 star (#3 is the Jimny with 3 stars), and this is the year after the Punto's 0 stars rating which led to it being withdrawn from sale. Sadly for FCA, it's this sort of thing that, especially if you're not that familiar with a brand, can put people off for years. Warren Buffett wasn't too far off the mark with the whole reputation thing.

I havethe sister to the compass, a patriot. Ive had it for six years now. A great motor, 2 litre turbo diesel its a 2010. I get it serviced every year and only one issue. That was a split in the intercooler pipe. I average 38 mpg. but I don't do a lot of motorway driving. Live in a very hilly area of Lancashire, and it performs great in the snow.

Having had a 96 Jeep Cherokee back in the USA which lasted 7 years and about 175k miles and leaked like a cullender - besides its prowess in snow and great visibility it had more issues than not. I avoid Jeeps at all costs and they inherently will cost you a lot when owning them. Love all the vids and wish I still lived in the UK my country of birth cos second hand cars here in Oz cost a bloody fortune if I moved back I'd buy a car from you. Even if someone gave me one I'd sell it and buy something else, much like a Range Rover.

Intersting comments there regarding the Compass - most of which I agree with. I've the Limited 4x4 1.4 petrol auto and it's a different beast to your fwd 1.3. Before I got mine I took a fwd version out and could not get on with it - mostly because of the stop/ start system in traffic and felt I had to keep changing gear all the time like you experienced. It's a heavy car with a proper steel ladder chassis for strength - but that's of no use in fwd really. I nearly walked away, but tried the 9-speed ZF auto box and it transformed the vehicle. Granted it's no race car - I'm over speed now - but it's just a leisurely comfortable ride. I've covered nearly 40k miles now and nothing has fallen off - just two rear tyres neading a change with the fronts due soon. Longest time in the car with a break is 12hrs from Leeds to Gatwick airport and back with safety and comfort. Pluses: Good carrying capacity - mine has false floor for extra storage. Despite it's appearence it's quite narrow for town driving. Adaptive Cruise Control is really good. 2xUSBs for all my music - the Uconnect is excellent including 3D sat nav. Phone connects faultlessly every time. It parks itself (park assist). Plenty of space in the back - rear doors open almost 90degs. 3 pin plug and USB for rear pax. Good ground clearance for flood and snow (both of which we've experienced). The Auto Select 4x4 system is amazing - you can see on the large central screen what it's doing. Negatives: Fuel consumption - around 30mpg and about 35mpg on a m-way journey, however I've noticed a big difference on the same journey in similar conditions with different brands of fuel and the last reading was 42mpg... The diesel would be more fuel efficient but as I do less miles now it's not such a concern. Alloy wheels mark easily - the smaller thicker tyres would be better but it's not an option with the Limited. Finally, if you've got this far, the duel heater controls are so you can adjust them wearing gloves - a touch screen's no good if it's cold - but then again I can use the heated steering wheel and speak to the car and adjust the temperature that way😊

It’s Friday beer & car time! Thanks for the Friday uploads, I really look forward to them 😊

Those squared off wheel arches are called Trapazoidal in shape. 😊😊😊 Not a bad car at all Mat, so around £12000 for the newer shape like in video. Great value. Thanks for video Mat. Vinny.

I believe that the current bad rep comes from an Elk test where the full size Jeep kept rolling it’s tyres off. They allowed Jeep to have several tries with different tyre pressures but it did it every time.

For some reason im hooked on this guys videos ....i think its the quirky nature of the way he delivers his reviews or something. Looking forward to the next video ha .

These have a 2.4 petrol engine in the US, paired with a 9 speed ZF automatic transmission. I believe there was a V6 engine offered as well. More power but less fuel economy.

For some reason Jeeps always put me in mind of the 'Canyonero' Homer Simpson bought - when he found out it was an 'F' model (for ladies) he lost interest of course. 😊 In terms of Jeeps being dangerous, I think that is a throwback to boxy 4x4's tendancy to tip over under the lightest of swerves back in the day. Saying that a 2018 Jeep Wrangler gets a 1 star NCAP rating, on par with a Sinclair C5 I believe.

Can imagine you at Malaga Airport picking the car up. What car do I have today? No I don't want that one, what else do you have.... 4 hours later.... yes that'll make a good video. Great review as usual.

"Nothing, nothing, nothing... too much! All over" Reminds me of my ex-husband 🤪

Hire cars have saved me a lot of research time in buying cars over the years that you never really get to learn on a local test drive.

This car deserves much more credit then you gave it Matt. I rented one - It was brilliant , beautiful and fun to drive. Better then a lot of the crap coming out of Germany.

Have 2021 Compass Limited have 75000 miles no problem love it

You mention the Jeep actually being a Fiat like that’s a bad thing. Love your work 👍

If you want one - then it has to be the hybrid version with 4xe and all the blows and whistles possible. You can get a brand new much cheaper than a uses petrol or diesel version, with much less luxury etc.

As powerful as a private school tug-of-war team - 😂 Another great video, Matt 👍

only the duster has nailed it

Just had a new phev hybrid one of these as a rental for a week. Bit gutless on hills, but a nice interior and great sat nav. Not too bad on fuel either all said.

Thanks for recommending MalagaCar Matt. I was there in May and they upgraded me to a Formentor for the week. I think they felt bad for me since I was getting kicked and bitten by a toddler, my toddler, for the whole shuttle bus journey. Anyway, the car rental part was zero hassle. Will definitely be using them again. Love the channel btw!

Ah…the iconic Jeep. Im not surprised they highlight lots of WW2 Willys Jeep cues. Those were amazing. I owned one. I bought it for £500. Spent another £500 to get it roadworthy and through an MOT. Ran around in it for two years. It was an incredible thing that went anywhere I wanted to go - or even where I didn’t want to go! In the end I sold it on eBay for £6000 to pay for a new kitchen. One of only 2 cars I ever made a profit on in my life (and Im no spring chicken). I wish I still had it. As for the modern ‘Jeeps’ the only thing they have in common is the name. Their marketing is based around seduction - they try to woo the unsuspecting customer into a ‘4x4 4 a lot less’ but in reality you end up paying for it over and over in repair bills. They are absolutely awful! Bring back the Jeep of 1941 !! ❤

I have to admit I've kind of "lost it" when you said: "NO ME GUHTA". You caught me off guard 😂.

It think its the renegade which is based in fiat 500x, not the compass?

I love jeep compass its great SUV, Great video keep it up!

Thanks Matt - useful review - not one to set your world alight it seems. Keep this content flowing please. Cheers.

Matt, you have reached over 300k subscribers. I think you now can start demanding a TV Chanel 🙌🏻. If you don’t sort it then I will !! Well done mate 🎉👍🏼

I bought a 2015 Jeep Patriot two years ago simply based upon the price was right. Im not a car connoisseur, so if it gets me too and from work, im happy. I heard all the negativity about Jeep but decided to give it a try anyway. In the two years of owning it, I've been to the shop twice, and neither repair broke the bank. For a 9 year old car, I dont consider that terrible by any means. I owned a Subaru Forester before the Jeep and that thing was definitely a costly turd. Lol.

I used to work at a Jeep dealer, these used to come off the truck fresh from the factory with engine lights and not starting. Put me off Jeeps for life .. well... I'd have a 4L XJ from the 90s if the price was right

Love the vids mate, keep up the good work

We had a Renegade when we stayed in Frigliana and it was woeful. Our villa was down a windy road and steep in short squirts and it would never go up unless it was in first. Air con was excellent though.

When I met my wife she had a jeep grand cherokee . That did 18mpg round town but damn.... what a car.

This vehicle was hammered by regular car reviews this week. A very funny review.

Aye aye sun's out err knees out! *Better than mine mind. Mine would be taken back to Farm Foods under trades description

Great review and clear message received, as usual with larger FIATS- keep away. Thanks Matt.

We have a 2018 latitude with the 2 litre Fiat engine and 4X4. To be honest I've been impressed with the comfort, ride and build quality. I've even been able to drive it on snow where it seems as capable as other 4x4s I've driven. Fuel economy is for me excellent and it's powerful enough a quantum leap ahead of our old Freelander 1 TD4 we also have an Impreza WRX STI. OK then there's the dealer. We bought the 2018 car second hand three years ago at a pretty competitive price. The initial issue was no air con, which turned out to be a holed radiator. As it proved impossible to get a replacement any where else it had to go to the dealer. I don't remember the price but it was expensive and they left the plastic caps off the high and low pressure points on the scuttle. As I had images of me dropping them in the engine bay it went back for them to fit. Next we had the saga of the sat nav mapping.. My wife bought a discounted update as the mapping on the vehicle is 2016 and since that date they have built the Mersey gateway and made several road changes, We are not from these parts either. Now for whatever reason they decided to make the updating method complex. From memory it involved a blank 32GB (?) USB stick formatted to FAT. You put the blank stick into the car uploaded something then put into the computer and downloaded something from the web site put it back in the car and downloaded the update. Except it didn't work. After a few phone calls we took it to the dealers and saw the service Manager who was really nice. Anyway he went through the procedure on our lap top and after a bit said oh! Yep it didn't work. Anyway we had a couple of Months of calls including a few from Italy and another Eastern European company. In the end we took it back to the dealers after Fiat had flown over NINE separate usb sticks which apparently needed to be loaded in sequence. A couple of days later we had a phone call... And it hadn't worked. The blame then went to the infotainment system where we were quoted £2,500 to replace it excluding labour. However the system had updated to a degree as we now had route options which we didn't have before but still 2016. as the car was out of warranty Jeep were very non comital on any help they would give or not. Figuring if it was replaced it would be off the shelf and have the 2016 software loaded anyway we just went for using our Garmin instead it would have been nicer just to be able to rely on the built in kit but there you go. Up 'til then it had been utterly reliable however one day when we were going out to a funeral of all things. I started the car drove it back past the gates stopped it closed the gates and got back in went to start it and nothing, I put the battery on charge tested it which came out ok and it ran. But this kept coming back and eventually brought up an EML light. anyway we called out the AA who spent an hour getting nowhere apart from triggering another EML light about fuel metering which resulted in the car laying a diesel smoke screen. So being so unreliable we got in touch with the dealer who wasn't able to book us in for weeks. In the meantime I had been searching through the net and had come across a obscure article. It stated a lot of Jeep Compass owners in the USA had issues with the MOPAR battery at about 20,000 miles due to a fault in the battery construction. Now both the AA and myself had tested the battery which had come back as ok. But as the symptoms matched I thought OK.I phoned the dealer who quoted me £340 to replace the battery. I bought one off E-bay for £80 odd quid I did have to buy a nut as well as they have gone for a completely awkward battery restraint set up and I dropped the nut somewhere into the engine bay . After a run and a dose of diesel fuel cleaner additive the smokescreen cleared up and the car has been absolutely fine ever since. We phoned the dealer to cancel the booking although they phoned us just before the cancelled date to remind us so we had to remind them we cancelled it. Looks like the old Manager has gone and I'm not so keen on the new team. The only issue now is the passenger door window doesn't move. Now I'm convinced this is a fuse. The AA mechanic did look at the fuses in the interior box so it could be as a result of this. I looked at trying to get access to the box and I'm still thinking about doing it. Overall though I still like the car a lot.

These are very sought after in India but come with more tech and bigger engine

Aren't they FIATs? Fix it again tomorrow....

My Evoque had a recall and the steering rack broke so JLR sent me Enterprise and I finished up with one of these in Hybrid, not a motor I would rush to get. I’ll stick to RR even if they come at a cost.

Sorry to be picky, I do love your reviews. I spotted a slight mistake. At 7:30 you called it a Jeep Cherokee not Compass. They are different models.

The top spec limited version of these look good maybe better with a diesel auto

It's somewhat interesting because it's an unusual sight in Europe, but there isn't much substance underneath. And FCA's overall build quality is a joke at this point, even in the US their sales figures have been declining a lot in the last couple of years.

The American Market got a 2.4 4 cylinder NA petrol with 175hp, much more progressive and with standard auto.

I'm with you on that one, if I had to choose between this and the Peugeot it would be the Peugeot even thou I "hate" french cars😆

Jeeps need a big fat v8 like the helcat. Great honest, straight forward video as usual. Enjoy Spain 🇪🇸 😀

There are lots of them in Italy. I don’t know why, probably because since 2020 is made in Italy or the styling or the massive presence of Fiat dealership even if for italian incomes is an expensive car. Almost 90% of them are with the 1.6 diesel but in the Alps and in the cities the plug in Hybrid are common. My sister have a plug in Hybrid and is awful at driving but here car journalists say that is a fantastic (🤦🏻‍♂️) car that drive well, but we all know that FCA in Italy pays journalist to give good reviews of their cars

i never seem to get bored your videos 🔛🔝

It's a shame they gave you a pre-facelift in a pretty basic spec... I drove a facelifted Limited recently and the interior is so much better.

Sec Generation. Never knew went past first. . Car questions answered stateside discussed the Jeep best.

I have never driven one but I see one of these and I think it's a mummy mobile. The plastic bit around the centre screen looks like it's from a gen 1 sandero and I bet that 1.4 is the same one I had in my 05 punto years ago, shocking.

Bout time you chilled out . Much as i love your commentary and videos ,i think you got to find a work life balance soon 😮

I quite like the styling, and generous equipment but I'd go for a Kadjar or 3008 every time.

If this is ‘mid size’, a Glc is large size, GLE is full size and GLS is ultra full-size? A Compass is compact-sub/compact SUV

I love British people - love em love em love em - makes me feel right at home even though I’m not British at all

Rather pay extra for a BMW X3.

these are better with the 2.0L Fiat diesel, and most have awd

Perhaps the unsafe reputation came from a faulty e brake that caused the actor Anton Yelchin who played Chekhov in the newer Star Trek movies to be crushed and killed by his own Jeep. Strange fact, he also starred in a film called Odd Thomas, where there were creatures that caused chaos and if you could see them they would kill you in ways that looked like an accident....

You know a new Jeep is bad when a 20 year old Fiat Panda is more enjoyable to drive 😂

Warning to anyone who is considering this car. I picked mine up 2 weeks ago. Brand new. 4 main issues with AC/ dangerous faults in infotainment/service transmission warning within one week. Avoid avoid avoid.

Fiat with a fanny pack is a great line 😂 well done

Why does Norton like car vertical ? It is always telling me it’s an unsafe site. The last car vertical reports I’ve done have not given me the value of the car 🤔🧐

Hi Matt hope your enjoy in Spain. Now about the car definitely not one for me I used to like the original one the square one because it actually looked American and very different because it's proper American. Cheers Phil from Newark

Must be an all time record (for me) as an High-Peak anaroak - the system posted this blog from you 2 seconds before I found it.... (Aaaarghh..). Now let's sea your pearls of wisdom.

I thought the renagade was based on the 500x?

We have a 500x, not to be confused with awful 500L, it’s a mid spec in dark metallic Green on a 19 plate with the 1.0 triple turbo engine. We bought it for a reason……that upped and left home, then Covid happened and it’s sort of a spare car indeed it needs to go as we hardly use it, but it’s everything you’ve said - it can go pretty quick, but in a oh ok if I have to sort of way, it’s nice ish inside and apart from the ‘sat on a barstool, feeling a bit tipsy’ handling isn’t horrendous to drive. Alas, it looks better than it goes so off it pops.

This is the only car we pay less for in the US than you do….The dealer has acres of these and they are disposable.

Great videos! Any chance you can review the jeep compass PHEV? please

The compass is a great car if you get the right engine it's my intention of getting the 2.0 multijet diesel a great drive...as I say you've got the wrong engine my a short Mile the diesel is great good low down torque andcgoodcpunchcwhen you want it..drive it right it will fi 50mpg as for the old fix it again Tony yourcuears behind the times Fiat are a great product very reliable

Timing with that Berlusconi rant

Hey up

The whole Euro NCAP thing seems very inconsistent. I recently saw a Golf awarded 5 stars even though the rear door came open during the crash. One of the main reasons the Panda and Punto got 0 was that they lack the newer collision avoidance electronics, which I know matter, but they didn’t suddenly start “folding up” like a coke can!

Maybe seven or eight years ago the fellow over the road came home with a Jeep hire car. I think it was a Cherokee. When I left the house to go to work the next day there was a recovery truck towing the said Jeep away. I know that this is purely anecdotal and that it might have been a one off. Perhaps Jeeps have improved since then, but I made a mental note never to buy one.

Fantastic review

End of the video when you say the Peugeot is better😮😮.... That just sums up the jeep really🤣🤣🤣

we had one in Italy as rental, the hybrid vertion, only bad was power steering got over heat in the swiss alps and did not fit in Milan carpark haha

I was once told that some cars have a software setting to make the engine go lumpy if in too high a gear or at too low revs to make the driver change down gear as labouring modern engines can cause damage…😮

Bought a 2021 compass limited and now i just want to get rid of it. Nostalgia from my old inline 6 Cherokee duped me into buying it. It's such a liability trying to pass on a highway or merge on a busy freeway. 0 torque past 50 mph🤦🏻‍♂️

Manufacturers seem to persist in producing smaller engines boosted to ridiculous power outputs. They will let go at some time, usually out of warranty. Emissions regulations I suppose. Nice looking car though and a great video.

Interesting differences between countries. I have a 2.0 petrol but the finish is much better. Here in Brazil there was never a manual version. I intend to exchange for the new 1.3 turbo.

Jeep's Allrite, that's what it should be called.

Short answer - no! Long answer - nooooooooooooo!

This 1.4 turbo is old-school, Multiair family I guess, no? They evolved but still peaks on higher revs and is a regular 1.4 under 3.500rpm. In Brazil we have the Compass now with a new 1.3 turbo Firefly with 185hp which is much better, with a flatter torque curve (still not very good on fuel) but behaves much better. Before that the Compass was launched with a boring 2.0 166hp NA from the american Tigershark family that thankfully is gone.

I want to see you buy a Porsche 911, one that needs a bit of work , the before and after.

If "reliability" is not on your list of priorities, go ahead, it's a nice suv. Cheers

Can you do a Should you buy video on a MK5 Ford Mondeo or 2016 Ford Galaxy

2 days late but checkimg in

HOW ARE YOU GOING,I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE DONE A REVIEW ON THE MAZDA CX3 AS YET CHEERS🇦🇺

6:16 - Matt "el andalú" 😂

How is it for newer jeep parts.. I had a Jeep older one and getting parts was a pain in the ass

I heard Jeeps are prone to transmission faults. I was looking at 2020 Jeep Compass and wondered if anyone knew about its reliability?

Do Bmw x1 2018

These are made in India (till recently, all RHD's came from there!). The 2 liter diesel makes it a much better car. It is pretty tough and stands up to our harsh road conditions. The automatic version is a bit dim-witted. The 1.4 is pathetic and likes a drink, especially with the DCT - plenty of those on the used market.