I'm considering buying a Compass abd I'm really interested in hearing about what other vehicles people are considering (or considered before purchasing a Compass). I'm trying to do some comparison shopping, but I don't really know what to compare the Compass with or against.

I would think that any AWD vehicle with similar features would be comparable, like the subaru forester. unfortunately, other vehicles aren't Jeeps, so they're really not going to ever compare in my eyes. Besides the Compass being a Jeep, it is offered at an affordable price, has all the options that can make it a pretty luxurious looking vehicle, it offers the "locking" option to enhance the AWD system (Freedom I), and it is pretty roomy (although from the pictures it may not seem like it).

What do you plan on using the vehicle for? Just daily driving, or are you looking for something with offroading capabilities?

I would say the Compass goes up against:
Subaru Forester
Honda CRV
Toyota Rav4
Chevy Equinox
Hyundai Tuscon
Ford Freestyle
I'm sure there are others, so just search a car manufacturer's website for any vehicle dubbed as a "Compact SUV" or "Crossover".

Note that some of these look more SUVish than others. If you are looking for more of a crossover-type look (which is probably the case since the Compass interests you), the equinox or freestyle may be closer to the type of styling you want.

Just be sure to look at these two things to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
1) Compass is 4 cylinder, so make sure you are comparing prices of 4 cylinder versions of each (I think the Rav4 and some others have V6 versions).
2) Compass is 2wd or AWD, so make sure you are comparing appropriately (note that the Forester is only available in AWD).

Hope this helps and hope you go with Jeep :-)

I would say the Compass goes up against:
Subaru Forester
Honda CRV
Toyota Rav4
Chevy Equinox
Hyundai Tuscon
Ford Freestyle
I'm sure there are others, so just search a car manufacturer's website for any vehicle dubbed as a "Compact SUV" or "Crossover".

Thanks for the info. I currently drive a Subaru Legacy so I'm looking for something similar and new Subaru's have, in my opinion, become quite expensive over the last couple of years. I've looked at the Rav4 and actually considered a CRV before I bought the Subaru a few years ago, but neither my wife or I could agree on it, so we bought the Legacy. I've looked quite closely at the Hyundai Tuscon/Kia Sportage, but, as you've pointed out, it's not a fair comparison as both the Tuscon and Sportage have a V6 option.

My Jeep dealer is across the street from the Subaru dealer, so one Sunday I got to walk back and forth looking at a 4 cyl Forrester and the Compass. They looked pretty equal in size and such. However, the Compass was about $4K cheaper, same mileage and has the letters J E E P on the front. That right there makes it the best in my book.

I second that!!!! Plus, have you seen the pictures from the thread where the compass gets out of that snowy ditch?

there's also the Kia Sportage and the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Isn't the Freestyle availible from Mercury, Land Rover, and Mazda... just under a different badge?

No, that's the Escape (Ford), Mariner (Mercury), LR2 (Land Rover - which may probably be worth the money though), and the Tribute (Mazda - a little different but same crappy vehicle).

I don't think the Compass competes against the Freestyle. It has three-row seating, a V6 and tends to run in the $30K range.

was looking at the compass,
but am now waiting on the patriot, price and 4x4 has me sold already,
currently have a 1990 cherokee sport with 155K miles on it and engine is shot,
also have a 1998 neon with 172K miles on it,
so with 2 high mileage cars been looking for my next car for over a year,
been looking at Saturn VUE, Vibe(Brief look),
was going with the saturn until i saw the compass,
and am now going with the Patriot,
4x4 and $20K dont think anything can compete.
in the household have gone through
1 Cherokee sport
2 wranglers
3 grand cherokees
1 liberty