The Jeep Compass has one glaring flaw: its engine. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s standard on every model for the time being makes just 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. To be honest, this is probably the worst part of the car. But for 2023 Jeep is finally doing something about it and introducing a new turbocharged 2.0-litre engine for the Compass.
Okay, okay, the engine isn’t exactly new. It’s been around for years in other Jeep products, including the Wrangler, but it’s still a welcome change. The new engine produces 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It’s also mated to an eight-speed transmission that’s been pulled from Jeep’s parts list, but we don’t mind saying well about the old nine-speed and its nonchalant attitude toward shifting.
The 2023 model year also brings with it four-wheel drive across the lineup. (Lower trims were available with front-wheel drive as standard and 4WD was an option.) Trailhawk models still got Jeep’s Active Drive Low 4×4 system with a 20:1 low-range crawl ratio. The model range has also been cleaned up a bit. The Altitude, Red, and High Altitude trims have been dropped for 2023, and the Compass lineup now consists of the Sport, Latitude, Latitude Luxe, Limited, and Trailhawk models.
Other notable changes include automatic high beams on all models in addition to the base Sport trim and some new safety features. Driver detection, rear seat reminder and a security alarm will be standard on all trims in the 2023 Compass. Pricing and availability details for the Compass aren’t out yet, but we expect those details to be out closer when the 2023 Compass arrives in dealerships.