Jeep blends luxury appointments with off-road capability in the Compass S-Limited, but the US brand’s small SUV lacks in other areas
- How much does the Jeep Compass S-Limited cost?
- What equipment comes with the Jeep Compass S-Limited?
- How safe is the Jeep Compass S-Limited?
- What technology does the Jeep Compass S-Limited feature?
- What powers the Jeep Compass S-Limited?
- What is the Jeep Compass S-Limited like to drive?
- Can the Jeep Compass S-Limited go off-road?
- What is the Jeep Compass S-Limited like inside?
- Should I buy a Jeep Compass S-Limited?
The Jeep Compass continues to battle in the fast-growing small SUV segment, where newer combatants are commanding lots of attention and leaving the US brand’s contender wading in the stream. The Compass is now a rarity in that it’s truly capable of off-road work (up to a point), and with the S-Limited model Jeep has added a plethora of high-grade features to raise the bar further. It does, however, lose direction in some other key areas, including engine performance.
How much does the Jeep Compass S-Limited cost?
Priced at $54,300 plus on-road costs, the 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited is the luxury flagship in the four-model range, with only the more off-road-oriented diesel-powered Compass Trailhawk above it (from $59,100).
So while the S-Limited is not the most expensive Compass, this is the most luxurious Jeep small SUV you can buy.
The test example also moves further upstream with its optional $895 Brilliant Black pearlescent paint (only Colorado Red is standard) and the $2950 Premium Package, which we’ll detail below.
What equipment comes with the Jeep Compass S-Limited?
The 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited comes with leather seats, black headliner, grey accent stitching, Alpine nine-speaker premium audio system, keyless entry/start, power front seats, hands-free power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights.
Exterior highlights include 19-inch black alloy wheels, black-painted roof (grey for black cars such as the test vehicle), neutral grey exterior badging, accent-colour roof rails, granite crystal grille, grey daylight-opening mouldings and body-colour fascias, wheel-arch flares and door claddings.
The test vehicle was also fitted with the S-Limited Premium Package, which adds a 360-degree surround-view camera system, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, ventilated front seats and dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
If you like the ‘easter eggs’ that are becoming part of some car-makers’ repertoire, you’ll like the Compass, which has the outline of a small gecko moulded in the wiper cowl, for example.
Built in India, the 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited has a five-year/100,000km factory warranty with lifetime complimentary roadside assistance, provided the car is serviced within the Jeep dealer network.
Services are required every 12,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first), with the first five scheduled services capped at a maximum of $349 each.
How safe is the Jeep Compass S-Limited?
The most recent update brought a significant safety overhaul across the range, with the 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited and other variants treated to active lane management, adaptive cruise control, camera-based traffic sign recognition (real-time speed limit info), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and a driver fatigue warning system.
Safety equipment also fitted to the S-Limited includes automatic high beam, blind spot monitoring, six airbags (front, front side and side curtain), front and rear parking sensors, parallel and perpendicular park assist, rear-view camera, rear cross traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring.
The Compass received a maximum five-star ANCAP crash-test result in 2017, but this assessment is now considered out-of-date and so the model range has had its safety rating withdrawn.
What technology does the Jeep Compass S-Limited feature?
The 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited comes with a Uconnect 5 10.1-inch touch-screen centre infotainment system, a 7.0-inch colour TFT dash display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio and wireless phone charging.
There are two USB charge ports in the cabin, and 230V and 12V power outlets at the rear.
The infotainment screen works well, with intuitive menus and no lagging or freezing, and it’s plenty big enough.
The dash screen, however, presents some of the info in a very small font that can be hard to read.
What powers the Jeep Compass S-Limited?
The 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine dubbed ‘Tigershark’.
It is a name that suggests an aggressive or at least assertive demeanour, but this is an engine that feels beyond its depth in the Compass.
Driving all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Compass S-Limited produces 129kW of power at 6400rpm and 229Nm of torque at 3900rpm.
It accelerates to 100km/h from standstill in a claimed 10.1 seconds, which is unremarkable, but in-gear acceleration makes it feel slower than even that.
This engine lacks torque and has to be revved to give its best. Unfortunately, it does not sound at its best when revved, instead it’s a bit harsh and noisy.
How fuel efficient is the Jeep Compass S-Limited?
The 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited consumes 7.4L/100km on the highway, according to the manufacturer’s official claims, which is not bad.
Yet the urban figure of 13.6L/100km is thirsty, even for a relatively large-displacement four-cylinder petrol.
The combined-cycle average comes out at 9.7L/100km.
With mostly urban driving, we averaged 13.2L/100km on test, which would give you just over 400km range with a 50km safety margin.
Clearly a highway drive should bring the fuel consumption down and touring range up significantly.
What is the Jeep Compass S-Limited like to drive?
The 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited is a comfortable SUV to just jump into and get driving.
It’ll take on urban duties without any annoying quirks – it just gets on with the job of carting you and yours around.
Ride quality is a little on the firm side, but not harsh, and engine response is acceptable off the mark.
It’s when you are pressing on that the cupboard is bare in the Compass.
As mentioned above, even though it has nine forward ratios to pick from, it seems to need a kick-down and good hard rev to wake up around town at least, and sounds harsh doing so.
The transmission itself is a team player, meaning it shifts decisively and smoothly when asked.
Dynamics are nothing to write home about, with lifeless steering and a nose-heavy but sure approach to cornering.
Can the Jeep Compass S-Limited go off-road?
With its Active Drive Low providing a 20:1 low-ratio crawler gear, the 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited is set up better than most competitors for slow-speed rock-hopping.
Not only does the Compass S-Limited have a ‘4WD Low’ button, but also has a 4WD Lock mode as well as Sand/Mud and Snow operating modes.
Take it as read that the Compass will not compete with a true 4×4 off-road wagon, but forestry trails and on anything but powder-soft sand it should be fine.
What is the Jeep Compass S-Limited like inside?
The overall impression of the 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited is of a modern and accessible interior with plenty of room for what is a small SUV.
Yet there are question marks over quality and fit and finish, with, for example, a gap around the driver’s seat-base trim surround making it look as if it was not fitted properly (it was, as far as we could tell).
Should I buy a Jeep Compass S-Limited?
While there is no shortage of equipment and the overall presentation is of a very distinctive and attractive SUV, the 2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited is a bit rough around the edges.
It lacks interior detail quality and the engine has to often work hard and loud – and is thirsty doing it.
There are also plenty of other small SUVs that would appear to offer better value for money too.
2023 Jeep Compass S-Limited at a glance:
Price: $54,300 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 129kW/229Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 230g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Unrated
Keyword: Jeep Compass S-Limited 2023 Review