Summary:
Call the Jeep Compass a "car" is being generous
Faults:
After more than 2 years of ownership and over 30k miles driven, I can finally say that Chrysler deserves to go out of business for giving the green light on something this horrible.
The Bad:
1) There is so much plastic used in the interior of the car that one might think there was a surplus of plastic up in Detroit.
2) The 2.4L engine is VERY underpowered and will make your life miserable. Going up a mountain will waste so much gas because the engine needs to rev at 5k RMP over the smallest hills.
3) Speaking of gas... Don't be fooled by the high MPG promised by the manufacturer. The car is heavy and the engine is too small for it to deliver what was promised. I live in Los Angeles so I got to experience driving the car in various conditions. I've driven it fast, slow, city, and freeway, and I get about 200 miles per tank (usually less) which is far less than the 20/24mpg advertised by the dealer.
4) Also, since everything is made from plastic, it is very fragile and will break. My freaking seat adjusting handle broke. A handle which you'd think be made sturdy since it is used so much, broke. Did I mention the squeaking which occurs when the plastic cover in the trunk rubs against the rest of the plastic in the car? Fun fun fun!. 80% of the car squeaks from different places.
5) On cold days the traction control indicators light up in the dash. Don't ask why because I have no idea. They go out on their own after about an hour of driving.
6) The transmission is an epic failure. It refuses to shift when you need it too and will keep revving the car at 5.5k RPM even though the car is not gaining speed. Remember the false MPG promise? This doesn't help either.
There are plenty more bad things with the car, but the ones I've listed should keep you from buying it.
General Comments:
The Good:
The only good thing about the car is that it's so poorly made that after a while you just stop caring. Drive it for about 3 months and you start feeling like you're 16 again and this is your first beater car. I would cry when something happened to my Lexus, but I actually smile when something happens to the Jeep.
Seriously don't buy this car. There are much better options out there for 15k even if they are slightly used. And if you do decide to buy the Compass, just remember that Chrysler (like the rest of the Big 3) did not build on their name brand, and therefore the depreciation on the Compass will prevent you from getting rid of it without taking a huge loss. In other words, make sure you LOVE the Compass before buying because you will spend a lot of time with it for years to come.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 14th April, 2009