With the popularity of CUVs, the 2022 Jeep Compass Limited, has a lot of competition. The Compass is also the second entry level Jeep model which means it can be the gateway model to Jeep’s higher level models.

Starting from the outside, the Jeep Compass looks like a shrunken down version of the Cherokee. The front grille has the iconic 7 slotted design. Although these are completely blocked off, I did like the front end design along with the brushed aluminum accents. The Velvet Red color also adds to a classy way of grabbing your attention. The Limited wheels are large 18-inch, which are up from the 16 and 17-inch from the lower level trims.

You get in and even though I’m not a fan of gray interior, this was really well done. Jeep added some pops of color on the doors and dash to help break the monotonous gray. The seats were also really comfortable and the heated/vented option added to their comfort. The UConnect 5 infotainment was a love/hate relationship. I first experienced UConnect 5 in the Chrysler Pacifica and I was extremely impressed. In the Compass, I had constant disconnects and reconnects of the wireless Apple CarPlay system. Every time I had enough of the issues and would get ready to plug in, the system would reconnect. I also tried multiple iPhones and experienced the same issue.

The 2.4L inline 4-cylinder is the only engine offered in the Jeep Compass. It is also connected to a 9-speed automatic and the Limited’s standard 4x4 system. It’s unfortunate that this drivetrain is in this otherwise great vehicle. Even though the 177 horsepower should be enough for the Compass, it felt like it lacked power at any RPM range. That means off the line and passing power were not there. I was needing to treat the gas pedal as an on and off switch to get the Jeep moving. This was also the case with the adaptive cruise control that felt like a teenager driving for the first time. It had aggressive acceleration when the road was clear and had aggressive braking when I would approach a vehicle.

With this being a lower level Jeep model, I understand that I shouldn’t expect some of the things that the bigger hero models offer. With that being said, the Compass is often people’s first impressions of the Jeep brand. It is unfortunate because based on my experiences, it might turn some people from an otherwise great brand.