The Jeep Compass is one of the most popular urban crossovers in the Jeep lineup. This small SUV first hit the road in 2007 and immediately captured the hearts and minds. With a recent facelift and overhaul, drivers everywhere are considering making the Compass their first or next Jeep.

Of course, the Jeep Compass has a rich history in its short time on the market. Before you can appreciate where the Compass is going, you have to understand where it came from. Here is the history of the Jeep Compass:

The First Generation: 2006-2011

The first version of the Compass made quite the splash. It was marketed as more of a compact car-style SUV. It features many of the Jeep highlights like round headlights and a seven-slot grilled. Of course, it also came with roof rails.

This first generation didn’t carry the “Trail Rated” badge from other SUVs during this time. It eventually earned this badge, but it wasn’t until the last model year of the generation. The Compass was meant to attract new Jeep buyers, a goal that it continues to achieve to this day.

First Gen Part II: 2011 –2016

For the second iteration, the Compass took on a look similar to the Grand Cherokee. The grille didn’t change, but it took on a more sophisticated look overall. Jeep went with halogen headlights and LED taillights.

Drivers especially loved the available features on this new Compass: liftgate speakers, fold-flat rear seats (perfect for sleeping in the back), and in-dash navigation, the name a few.

First Gen Part III: 2016 –2019

Ten years after the first Jeep Compass hit the road, it was still selling better than anyone ever expected. The market was full of crossovers trying to get their share of the pie, but the Compass held its ground.

This Jeep crossover’s attractive price certainly made it stand out. On top of that, drivers got a host of standard features and some pretty wild add-on package options. Drivers could not get things like a premium Beats sound system, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and a panoramic sunroof, to name a few options.

The Second Generation: 2019 to 2021

During the latter part of 2022, Jeep released the second generation of the Jeep Compass. It now came with a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, which helps thrust this now off-road capable Jeep into the spotlight.

While there weren’t many apparent changes from previous models, the second generation added some important differences: new front bumpers, a low-mounted radar system, and black door mirror caps.

Jeep also updated the Uconnect infotainment system. You could get a seven or eight-inch touchscreen to control things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This was also the first time shoppers could opt for a diesel engine.

The Jeep Compass of Today

The most recent version of the Compass is still part of the second generation but comes with some major changes. It now has a more upscale front end, a more modern dashboard design featuring a table-style touchscreen, and more.

The Latitude Lux trim was also added for the 2022 model year. This trim comes with an all-wheel drive, a leather interior, and the largest touchscreen to ever appear in this Jeep. There’s also a rumor that the Compass may come out with a plug-in hybrid model in the near future.

With a history and present like this, there’s no telling where the Jeep Compass is going to go. Stop by your local Jeep dealer to learn more.