2007 Jeep Compass Limited - Cute Ute

In the vague hope thay you, Donna will actually read the comments to this blog, let me say again, there is a technical service bulletin (# 18-031-07 from 4/28/07) addressing the issue of acceleration w/ the CVT.
It requires a software update performed by your dealer, when asked for.

I have to agree with mercedesman--the Compass seems very, very ugly to me. Such a mishmash of different styles, odd ones at that.

Hm. For a while there I, I thought this was Alison's personal car as she was the only one writing about it for a long time and I didn't see her name on any of the other long-term blog entries.

Ditto to mercman

"Same as a CR-V" only it costs a Lot less, has a Lot more standard features and has a Much better warranty...
 
Styling is subjective. Personally I think it looks great but looks are subjective.

I'd rather been seen in a 1992 Cavalier. Or an Aztec...or walk.

The one thing that keeps me interested in the Compass, is the styling.
I really think it looks great. I would only be interested in a 2 wheel drive 5 speed manual. I don't understand the big heavy wheels on a car that is power challenged. My main barrier whould be fuel economy.
 I don't really understand how you can let the smallest and cheapest car in your lineup lag behind in gas milage.

I drive the 4x4 Sport model w/ 5-speed manual and 17" wheels, and consistently get 24/25 mpg/city, 29mpg/highway. That is better fuel economy than rav-4, crv, hyundeis etc.. The "bad" fuel economy the edmunds folks report, is most likely due to overcompensating for a needed CVT software update they are too ignorant (?) or lazy(?) to get.
Maybe they don't have to pay for their own gas.
To be fair, their dealer may be not on the ball, if they have complained.

too bad there's no TSB for the noise.

I'd purchase the Dodge Caliber before the Jeep...if I was going to buy something built off of this platform. The backwards-sloping C-pillar is being used by many companies nowadays (Nissan, Jeep, Mitsubishi, etc.). I guess my point is it's not Jeep-ish enough for me. The fastback look of the Caliber looks better for this platform than the square back Compass.

prndlol, are you absolutely sure you would rather been seen in an Aztek?! The Magic 8 Ball says, "Improbable."

altimadude00:
 
The Jeep Patriot is also built off of this platform - maybe that will be more to your liking as it looks like a traditional jeep:
 
http://www.jeep.com/en/2007/patriot/
 
?

Briancam, think before you speak. The noise occurs at high rpms , which will come down with the software update. Duh!

After checking our Compass at the Jeep Owner's Web site, we discovered that "No Incomplete Recalls or Customer Satisfaction Notifications Exist " for our particular vehicle. All updates have therefore been made, or do not apply to our Compass.
 
Here's some figures for consideration. The Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD weighs 3,527 pounds, has a 166-hp inline-4, a five-speed automatic, and goes from 0-60 in 9.8 seconds. The Nissan Rogue AWD weighs 3,460 pounds, has a 170-hp inline-4, a CVT and goes from 0-60 in 9.2 seconds. Now, the Jeep Compass Limited 4WD weighs 3,305 pounds, has a 172-hp inline-4, a CVT and goes from 0-60 in 11.5 seconds for our long-term car.

You could install a transmission made of velvet and cotton balls and that wouldn't get rid of the ROAD NOISE!!
 
I'm sure there's a good excuse, I mean, "software fix" for that too. Any "software" for the creaking plastic on the dash?
 
Granted I don't always think before I speak but I certainly think long and hard before I drop $20,000. Not everyone can say that.
 
Shoppers beware of this one.

jriz, I keep being surprised by "professionals" like yourself. Just because your vin # doesn't show up on the web site, you conclude a 11.5 sec 0-60 time and some outrageous mpg must be normal for a car that behaves quite differently for other owners. Even you edmunds folks quoted a 10.2 time for 4WD, CVT in some earlier road test. TSB and recalls only show up on the website when a safety issue is concerned. For " performance/driveability enhancement" problems one usually has to complain about "symptoms" that can be matched to a specific TSB. In your case it is the often mentioned # 18-031-07.
You are welcome.

The CVT tranny mated to this engine is a HORRIBLE combination. I have driven this SUV on a few occasions and wish it would just find the gears. Changing lanes and accelerating on the freeway are difficult tasks. Otherwise, this is a cute little ute.

The TSB in question does not mention anything regarding fuel economy. It says "some customers may experience a perceived lack of performance under light to moderate acceleration from a stop." Light to moderatewould not be an apt descriptor for what is done during a 0-to-60 evaluation. The 11.5 second time was for this long-term vehicle in question. A short-term test car did indeed get a 10.2 second time, which is still slower than the CR-V and Rogue.
 
The TSB also mentions "a ticking sound intermittently heard from the engine compartment." Any complaints regarding engine noise to my knowledge has had nothing to do with a ticking sound, but rather the general engine note produced by the marriage of engine and CVT.
 
If anyone really cares, you can read the full TSB at the link below.
http://www.caliberforumz.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=725&d=1177786251
You need to register with the caliberforum, so again, if you really care.

0.4 sec slower than the CR-V. Statistically significant ? I think not.
Thanks for taking the time to actually follow up on my comment re the TSB. From what I have read on compass/patriot forums, having the upgrade performed, does indeed improve acceleration and fuel economy. for CVT owners. Personally, I drive the manual w/ a 0-60 time that matches the Rogue 's , and a 3-4 mpg advantage.

09-01-2007, 07:47 AM #30
Jason31
Registered User
  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 49
                                                                                                                        Yep, had TSB 18-031-07 performend this morning. Definetly makes the Compass drive the way it should. No more CVT hunting at 5 mph, no more "upshifting" trying to get 30MPG while accelerating. Definetly stays in a higher gear longer from a stop which enhances acceleration.
 
Overall, completely changes the way mine drives. Excellent TSB!
__________________
2007 Jeep Compass Limited - Black w/Chrome 18" OEM Wheels
           
(Quote from "Compass Technical Forum")

FWIW, here's what Consumer Reports said in the 2007 Annual Auto Issue (dated April 2007):
  
The 172-hp, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is rough and noisy. The continuously variable transmission works well.
  
And they got from zero to 60 mph in 10.1 seconds. (This particular issue doesn't indicate whether they tested the FWD or the AWD version, though.)