2011 Jeep Compass 4x4 North Edition

When Chrysler introduced the Jeep Compass in 2007, there was suspicion as to why Jeep (long known for its rugged off-road vehicles) would have an offering that actually had the option of coming in front-wheel drive only. There was some controversy as to what would possess Chrysler to design a Jeep that, well ? wasn't really a Jeep at all.

March 2011 sales of the Compass are up 75% over the previous year.

Fast forward four years to 2011 and we find ourselves looking at a Compass that's undergone some major transformations since its inception; some of the notable additions include the addition of a 4×4 powetrain, exterior styling modifications, and some nice interior finishing touches that were previously lacking. The 2011 Compass is certainly more "Jeep" than it's ever been. And Chrysler's decision to re-engineer the Compass has proved to be the right decision: Chrysler has reported that Compass sales this March were up 75% over March 2010.

Our test vehicle was the North Edition 4×4 of the Compass ? the middle of the road model that sits between the Compass Sport at the low end, and the top-flight Limited Edition. The differences between models can be seen using the model comparison on Jeep's website.

As an entry-level SUV, the Compass North Edition is priced starting at just $22,295, making it a direct competitor to vehicles like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, or Hyundai Tucson.

Our first impression of the 2011 Compass left us feeling that the biggest recent improvement Jeep has made to this vehicle is definitely the upgraded front-end styling, which now resembles the  Grand Cherokee ? a vehicle listed by Popular Mechanics as one of the "Top 10 Cars of 2011," and one we tested not too long ago. Its redesigned grille with chrome accents, new fenders, hood, and fascia all contribute to a look that makes the 2011 Compass a vehicle any owner would be proud to have in their driveway.

The Compass is finally eligible to wear Jeep's "Trail Rated" badge.

In addition to front-end design upgrades, Jeep has also given the Compass a set of sporty 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED tail lights, and of course the "Trail Rated" badge, proving that the Compass has finally joined ranks with its rugged terrain-loving siblings.

"Trail Rated" is Jeep's way of saying that the Compass is capable of off-road, four-wheel drive treks. No, this doesn't mean that you can go rock crawling with your Wrangler buddies ? it just means the Compass won't have a problem getting you through that unplowed snowy road that leads to your winterized cottage in the Muskokas.

Freedom Drive II - click image for a video overview.

New for 2011 is Jeep's Freedom Drive II® system ? an electronically controlled differential that allows the vehicle to automatically switch from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive when road conditions change. If you click on the link above, you can watch a short video overview that describes in more detail how the Freedom Drive system works. Freedom Drive II also allows the vehicle to descend hills and cross obstacles like rocks or logs with ease, thanks in part to its 19:1 crawl ratio and hill descent capability. Also new is a better suspension system that raises the vehicle 1" higher for better ground clearance.

Engine choices for the North Edition include either a 2.0L or 2.4L inline four-cylinder, making 158 horsepower and 172 hp respectively. Both options can be coupled to either a 5-speed manual transmission or for $1,400 more, a continuously variable transaxle (CVT). According to Natural Resources Canada, the Jeep Compass 4×4 will average 8.2L of fuel per 100 kilometres of combined highway and city driving.

During acceleration, we couldn't help but notice a slightly louder than expected growl coming from the engine, perhaps due to a lack of dampening material surrounding the cabin of the vehicle.

Interior fit and finish is nice, but it's not without its faults.

On the inside, some minor upgrades have been done to give the Compass some more soft-touch surfaces, illuminated cup holders, and backlit power window and door lock switches. Cargo space is ample and if you fold down the rear seats and the front passenger seat, you end up with 67 cubic feet of storage ? similar capacity to the Ford Escape for example.

One thing that we didn't like about the new Compass is that there seems to be a few cheaply manufactured pieces to it that could have easily been better built. For example, the rear exterior door handles are plastic and feel as though they might break off after a few hundred pulls. The dashboard also ? rigid plastic, which doesn't look bad but it feels cheap and probably doesn't do much to dampen engine noise either. Overall, the interior is functional but in comparison with some of this vehicle's direct competitors, it just seems to fall a bit short.

In conclusion, the 2011 Jeep Compass seems to be the best built Compass yet. It's a vehicle that anyone wanting to buy their first SUV might entertain as an option, and for the price, it's not a bad choice.

67 cubic feet of storage.

Seats fold easily with a quick tug.