is the perfect budget SUV for first-time off-roaders who are ready to hit the trail but don’t need the premium features of more expensive models. Altogether, the Jeep Compass has exactly what you need for most simple off-road environments.

There isn’t anything quite like a good off-road vehicle, but the right car can be pricey. Luckily, the Jeep Compass is an affordable option that incorporates basic off-road capabilities into a body with that classic Jeep aesthetic. While it won’t tackle more dangerous environments, it’s the perfect car for your summer camping trip.

Before you settle on an off-road vehicle, you should learn more about its off-road capabilities. That’s why the car insurance comparison

super app

and broker

Jerry

has gathered everything you need to know about the Jeep Compass off-road specs. In this article, we’ll cover everything from the price of a new model to the clearance and tires.

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Can the 2022 Jeep Compass go off-road?

Yes—the Jeep Compass is built for mild off-roading, meaning it’s the perfect car for simple trails and camping trips. While the Jeep Compass isn’t anyone’s first pick for a serious off-road vehicle, it has the power and features to take on any reasonable obstacles for new off-roaders.

Plus, the Compass starts at only $26,390, making it one of the most affordable off-road SUVs on the market. So even though it isn’t the number one off-road vehicle, drivers get some good bang for their buck when they invest in the Jeep Compass.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance determines the height of obstacles your car can safely pass over without risking damage to the undercarriage. That said, ground clearance is an extremely important aspect of off-road vehicles. Unfortunately, the Jeep Compass only has 7.7 inches of clearance, putting it on the low side of clearance for off-road vehicles.

The ideal ground clearance for off-road vehicles is about 8.8 to 10.8 inches. Hitting the trail with lower ground clearance raises the likelihood of your car being damaged by rocks or branches that stand out on the trail. Of course, 7.7 inches is a passable clearance level for most environments, but serious off-roaders typically need a little more height.

Torque

A good off-road vehicle typically brings a high level of torque at lower rotations per minute (RPM). To understand why, just think about the environments most off-roaders end up in. If you’re stuck in mud or find yourself at a dead stop trying to tackle a steep hill, you’ll need some quick power to overcome those challenges. That’s why torque is a better measure of power for off-road vehicles than horsepower.

Unfortunately, the Jeep Compass is somewhat lacking in terms of power.In fact, the Compass only turns out about 172 pounds of torque at 3900 RPM, putting it at the low end of power for off-road SUVs.

Tires

The Jeep Compass P215/65HR16 tires are a perfect fit for the vehicle’s capabilities. The

all-terrain tires

may not have the grooves or durability to take on a wild mountain, but it’s more than enough to deal with rain, snow, and even ice in more tame areas.

While you shouldn’t count on them for any wild outdoor adventures, they’re generally reliable in the driving environments you’re most likely to experience.

Drivetrain

Off-road vehicles must have all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Since off-roaders deal with slippery conditions and steep environments, the extra traction is necessary for ensuring a safe and easy trip.

That said, the Jeep Compass comes equipped with 4WD, which allows it to handle slippery conditions with ease.

Angles

When it comes to facing off-road conditions, there’s nothing more important than angles. The angles under your car determine what types of obstacles you can overcome without wrecking your undercarriage. Here are the two most important angles for off-roading:

Approach angle: The angle from the bottom of your front wheel to the tip of your front bumper. Determines the height, size, and angle of obstacles you can safely drive into.

Departure angle: The angle from the bottom of your back wheels to the end of your back bumper. Determines the height, size, and angle of obstacles you can safely drive off of or away from.

This is where the Jeep Compass really shines. With an approach angle of 30 degrees and a departure angle of 34 degrees, the Jeep Compass is capable of overcoming some pretty severe bumps and dips.

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

To help you better gauge the off-road capabilities of the Jeep Compass, we’ve assigned it a rating from

Jerry’s

DIRT rating system. Here’s a quick breakdown of the DIRT rating system:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

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All in all, the Jeep Compass earns an easy I rating. While the car can handle some basic off-road situations, it shouldn’t be your first choice for a big off-road trip. But if you’re a new off-roader looking for a budget vehicle to start exploring, the Compass is a perfect option for you.

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Jeep Compass

For anyone looking to spend as little as possible on a car that looks just as good at the office as it does on the way to your campsite, the Jeep Compass is a perfect option. But if you’re looking for a more serious off-road vehicle with the capabilities to take on Mount Everest, the Compass probably isn’t the right choice. That said, there are plenty of other great cars on the market.

Here are a few of the best alternatives to the 2022 Jeep Compass:

Model	Price	Description
2022 Hyundai Tucson	$24,950	The Hyundai Tucson has a unique aesthetic and luxury features like premium speakers and spacious seats that make it a fun choice for any off-road adventure.
2022 Mazda CX-30	$22,500	The CX-30 is a comfortable subcompact SUV that seems better suited to paved roads than untamed trails, but it still holds its own surprisingly well in off-road environments.
2021 Kia Seltos	$21,990	The Seltos subcompact SUV is a decent option for beginner off-roaders since it suits easy off-road environments just as well as paved roads.

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MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Before you head out for the open trail, make sure you have the right car insurance to stay financially protected when you’re behind the wheel. Luckily, finding the lowest available rates on the car insurance you need is faster and easier than ever with

Jerry

A licensed broker, the Jerry app helps users compare personalized quotes from over 50 top providers like Progressive, Nationwide, and Allstate for free. Just download the app, answer a few questions, and review the list of competitive quotes the Jerry app sends straight to your phone.

When you find a quote you like, Jerry can help you switch plans and even help cancel your old policy. Users save an average of over $800 a year on car insurance—and it only takes a minute to sign up.

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