2011 Jeep Compass

The new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Compass's larger, hardier sibling, got a complete redesign this year, and it's been almost unanimously lauded for being attractively proportioned, if a bit conservative. Meanwhile, the former, pre-2011 Compass has not at all been well-received, especially with respect to styling. Its 'Jeep Modern' design—with an odd combination Wrangler/CJ design cues in front and an odd, angular crossover tail—never quite took with either conservative Jeep suburbanites or with the hip urban folks Jeep originally aimed it at. Design-wise odd yet homely were appropriate descriptors. The 2011 Jeep Compass, remains a vehicle that looks better on paper?roomy, versatile, and maneuverable, but still lacking in driving refinement and powertrain responsiveness.

The short story is that Jeep tried to give the 2011 Compass the Grand Cherokee treatment. The Compass hasn't received a complete redesign for 2011, just some softened sheetmetal and new front and rear end styling. The proportions are the same, with the boxy wheelwell outline and smooth rear-pillar upkick preserved. the front end is a smaller, softer version of the Grand Cherokee's, while the taillamps have also been softened. Overall, the Compass has a vaguely sleeker, classier look from some angles, but the changes don't reduce the Compass's ungainliness, to our eyes.

Likewise, Jeep claims to have upgraded trims and finishes inside, but those upgrades are basically limited to a new steering wheel, some new knobs for the climate control, and a few more bright plasti-chrome accents. Available leather seats have contrasting piping and are an upgrade in style, though. That said, the fundamentals are all here and the layout of the interior is straightforward and functional—and appealing in appearance if not always feel.

The 2011 Jeep Compass has sluggish, subpar powertrains, but its low-speed maneuverability is excellent and it does better than most crossovers off-road when properly optioned. See details and best of the Web The 2011 Jeep Compass comes with all the expected safety features, though rearward visibility could be an issue for some drivers. See details and best of the Web Sluggish CVT performance with either engineSomewhat tight cargo spaceCoarse, vibration-prone enginesOverall lack of refinementMini-Grand Cherokee look doesn't work from all angles

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