2020 Jeep Compass Interior: A Fresh Look with a Comfortable Ride

If you are considering the 2020 Jeep Compass, you're probably interested in its off-road capabilities and rugged performance, but the interior of this compact SUV is where comfort and practicality shine. This guide will explore every facet of the Jeep Compass’s cabin, from seating and technology to cargo space and materials used, so that you can get a better feel of what it’s like to be inside this popular Jeep. Plus, we’ll address some of the drawbacks of the Compass’s interior while maintaining a balanced perspective.

Key Features of the 2020 Jeep Compass Interior

The 2020 Jeep Compass provides a well-crafted cabin that features a nice blend of comfort, modern technology, and practical functionality. It’s an interior designed to please drivers and passengers alike. Whether you’re commuting in the city or heading out on a weekend adventure, you’ll find a lot to like about what the Compass offers inside.

Cabin Layout and Comfort

A Closer Look at the Seating

The 2020 Jeep Compass features a stylish and thoughtfully designed interior. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with both front and rear passengers enjoying ample headroom and legroom. Available in both cloth and leather upholstery, the seats come in different colors and finishes to match your personal style. Higher trims, like the Limited, come with leather-trimmed bucket seats that feel more premium than what you'd expect in a compact SUV.

• Front Seats: The driver and front passenger are treated to spacious seats that offer good visibility and comfortable seating positions. Optional power-adjustable seats provide a more personalized fit, adding to the long-distance driving comfort.
• Rear Seats: The rear seating area is also comfortable for most passengers, and unlike many other compact SUVs, the back seats are surprisingly roomy. There is a decent amount of legroom and the ability to recline the seatbacks, which is a nice touch for longer rides.

However, some drivers note that the seat cushioning could use a bit more padding for longer trips. Alex Collantes, an avid Jeep enthusiast, said, "While I loved the space and feel of the Jeep Compass seats, I did find them a bit firm for my liking on those longer road trips."

Interior Space and Materials

The Compass boasts an interior with premium materials that match its upscale design. Soft-touch surfaces are found throughout the cabin, especially in higher trims, creating an inviting and comfortable environment.

• Dash and Trim Materials: The dashboard has an elegant look, featuring a blend of plastic, soft-touch elements, and metallic accents that are tastefully applied.
• Fit and Finish: Jeep's designers made sure the Compass's fit and finish were well above average for a compact SUV, giving it a somewhat more refined feel than some of its competitors like the Nissan Rogue Sport.

One drawback is that on lower trims, the materials can feel somewhat basic. The harder plastics on door panels and other areas might be a minor letdown for some, especially when comparing it to higher-end models within the lineup.

Technology and Infotainment

Technology is a strong suit for the Compass’s interior, especially with the Uconnect infotainment system that has consistently been praised for its user-friendliness and responsiveness.

Uconnect Infotainment System

• Standard Touchscreen Display: The Compass comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen as standard, but higher trims can upgrade to a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen. The interface is crisp, straightforward, and quite responsive.
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto: Both are standard across all trims, allowing seamless smartphone integration, so you can access navigation, music, and apps without any fuss.
• Bluetooth and Voice Command: The standard Bluetooth connectivity and voice command features allow drivers to make calls, play music, or access navigation while keeping hands on the wheel.

The Uconnect system is widely praised as one of the best in the business for its intuitive interface and ease of use. However, it can be a bit slow to respond at times, and some users may find the screen’s fingerprints smudging to be a little annoying.

Audio System and Sound Quality

The standard six-speaker audio system is quite decent for everyday use, but the available upgrade to a 9-speaker Alpine premium audio system adds more depth and clarity to your listening experience, making it well worth considering if you’re a music enthusiast.

Cargo Space and Storage Solutions

If you’re looking for an SUV with plenty of cargo space, the Compass is versatile in this area. While the Compass may not boast the largest cargo hold in its class, it’s still quite practical for day-to-day needs and weekend getaways.

• Trunk Capacity: Behind the rear seats, you get about 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding down the 60/40 split rear seats opens up the cargo area to around 59.8 cubic feet.
• Additional Storage: There are plenty of storage compartments throughout the cabin, including door pockets, a center console, and a glove box.

However, the cargo area does have a bit of a high load floor, which can make lifting heavy items more challenging. The rear seats do fold flat, but the seats don’t go completely flush with the cargo floor, which may be an issue if you plan to carry larger or bulkier items.

Driving Experience and Visibility

Driver Comfort and Positioning

One of the major perks of the Compass's interior is its driver’s seat positioning. The driver sits high up, providing a commanding view of the road ahead. Visibility is generally good all around, which makes it easy to navigate through city streets or winding backroads. Optional heated seats and steering wheel enhance comfort, particularly in cold climates.

Instrument Panel and Controls

The instrument cluster is clear and straightforward, with analog gauges and a digital driver information display that shows important information like speed, fuel economy, and navigation prompts. The steering wheel controls are conveniently laid out, making it easy to adjust settings without having to take your hands off the wheel.

However, some users find that the center console controls are placed a bit low, requiring drivers to glance down more often than they might like. Alex Collantes noted, "I found the center console to be a bit awkward at first, and it took some getting used to finding certain buttons without looking down."

Climate Control and Cabin Comfort

The 2020 Jeep Compass offers both manual and dual-zone automatic climate control, depending on the trim level. The climate system performs well in cooling or heating the cabin quickly and evenly. The air vents are well-placed to ensure that all passengers stay comfortable, even in the back seats.

• Rear Seat Comfort: Rear-seat passengers also benefit from air vents, which can be a rarity in the compact SUV segment.
• Ambient Noise Levels: The cabin is relatively quiet, with minimal wind and road noise creeping in, particularly on city streets. At highway speeds, some drivers may notice a bit of noise, but nothing overly intrusive.

Interior Customization and Options

The Compass has several interior options and packages to help personalize the cabin to your taste and comfort level.

Optional Packages and Upgrades

• Sun and Sound Package: This popular package adds a panoramic sunroof and the upgraded Alpine sound system, giving the interior a more open, airy feel while also improving sound quality.
• Cold Weather Package: For those in colder climates, this package adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start, making it easier to warm up the vehicle before heading out in chilly weather.
• Interior Color Choices: The Compass offers a variety of interior colors and finishes, from black cloth in lower trims to black and ski grey leather in the Limited trim. Each gives the cabin a different feel, so you can choose one that matches your style.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance Technology

The Compass has a solid array of available driver-assistance features to enhance both safety and convenience.

Key Safety Tech and Features

• Blind-Spot Monitoring & Rear Cross Path Detection: Alerts the driver of vehicles in the blind spots, enhancing safety when changing lanes or reversing.
• ParkView Rear Backup Camera: Standard across all trims, the rear backup camera provides a clear image to assist in parking or reversing.
• Adaptive Cruise Control: Available on higher trims, it maintains a set distance between you and the car ahead, making highway drives easier.

Optional Driver Assistance

For additional safety, Jeep offers more advanced options like Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning, adding an extra layer of protection on the road.

Drawbacks and Potential Improvements

While the 2020 Jeep Compass interior offers a comfortable and stylish environment, it's not without its drawbacks.

1. Rear Seat Cushioning: Some drivers may find the rear seats a bit on the firm side for longer trips, as mentioned earlier.
2. Cargo Space Competitiveness: The cargo space is practical, but rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 offer more room and versatility in this department.
3. Hard Plastics on Lower Trims: While higher trims feel upscale, the base Sport trim features more hard plastics that feel a little cheap compared to some competitors.

Conclusion

The 2020 Jeep Compass strikes a good balance between style, comfort, and practicality, making it a strong choice for drivers who want an SUV with an upscale interior feel without breaking the bank. From its supportive seats to the user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system, the Compass has a lot to offer inside. While there are a few drawbacks, such as limited cargo space and some basic materials on lower trims, the overall interior experience of the Compass is sure to please a wide variety of drivers.

As Alex Collantes sums it up, "The Compass interior is exactly what I'd expect from Jeep – rugged but refined. It's got the looks, the comfort, and enough tech to keep me happy, whether I’m taking it on the trails or just driving around town."

References:

• Jeep.com - 2020 Jeep Compass Overview
• Edmunds.com - 2020 Jeep Compass Review
• MotorTrend.com - 2020 Jeep Compass Interior Features

Feel free to check out each reference to dig deeper into the specifics of the 2020 Jeep Compass interior and compare it to similar models to find the right fit for your needs.