2020 Jeep Compass — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2020 Jeep Compass

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $27,359–$36,339
Fuel Economy 22 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,386/yr
The 2020 Jeep Compass scores 6.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #2205 of 2454 suvs, with 1 NHTSA recall on record and an estimated $2,386/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2020 Jeep Compass

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$27,359–$36,339

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.8/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, while Value at 7.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.8/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Few rivals match it for performance: 8.9/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining suvs to actually drive. At 7.6/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $27,359–$36,339, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Jeep Compass sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.3/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2020 Jeep Compass sits in the middle of the field. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2020 Jeep Compass ranks #2205 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 10% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,359 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 24%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2020 Jeep Compass

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$11,930 ($2,386/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Compass Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2017 Jeep Compass scores 6.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 6.8 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.0/10$32,022 Read review →
2025 7.0/10$32,022 Read review →
2024 7.0/10$31,090 Read review →
2023 6.8/10$30,157 Read review →
2022 6.9/10$29,224 Read review →
2021 6.8/10$28,291 Read review →
2020 (this review) 6.8/10$27,359
2019 6.7/10$26,426 Read review →
2018 6.6/10$25,493 Read review →
2017 6.5/10$24,561 Read review →
2016 6.9/10$19,760 Read review →
2015 6.7/10$18,980 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2020 Jeep Compass

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Engaging driving dynamics with class-leading power and handling
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Few standout weaknesses — review individual sub-scores for nuance
  • Some competing models offer a higher overall score at a similar price

NHTSA Recalls — 2020 Jeep Compass (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Visibility / Windshield wiper/washer / Linkages
09/04/2020 · 20V208000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2020 Jeep Compass that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2020 Jeep Compass

Is the 2020 Jeep Compass reliable?

We rate the 2020 Jeep Compass's reliability 7.8/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2020 Jeep Compass have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2020 Jeep Compass worth buying?

It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #2205 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 10% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2020 Jeep Compass cost?

The 2020 Jeep Compass starts at $27,359 and ranges up to $36,339 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Compass years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Compass years we've rated are 2017 (6.5/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.0/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2020 Jeep Compass have?

The documented issues for the 2020 Jeep Compass are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Visibility (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Jeep Compass

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

Get the Monthly Reliability Report

Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

More Jeep Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Jeep models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.