Well, CR reviewed 5 small SUV's for this issue:

Honda CR-V: highs...smooth powertrain, handling, rear seat, interior flexibility, controls, crash-test results
....lows...road noise from tires

Honda Element: highs...smooth powertrain, cargo capacity, turning circle, crash test results...
...lows...visibility, ride, noise, driving position, emergency handling, rear seat access, seating capacity, load capacity

Chev Equinox: highs transmission, roomy rear seat, access, crash test results...
..lows...agility, front seat comfort, location of some switchgear, fit and finish

Jeep Compass Sport (see below)

Saturn Vue Green line: highs...access, visibility
...lows...acceleration, agility, seat comfort, fit and finish, FWD only...


....the CR-V came out on top in this group but looking at all of the small SUV's the top ones were:

1. Toyota Rav4 Ltd v6
2. " " Base 4 cly
3. Honda CR-V EX
4. Subaru Forester 2.5x
5. Hyundai Tucson GLS v6

14. Jeep Compass Sport

Here's what they said about the Compass>>>

We found the Dodge Caliber unimpressive in the Sept. 06 test and the Compass follows suit. Its noisy 4 cly engine delivers decent fuel economy thanks to the CVT but interior materials are cheap and poorly assembled in many places. Overall ride comfort is acceptable.

The compass has low handling limits but is kept secure by the standard electronic stability control. Our tested Sport model cost $21,660 with options including power windows/locks, air, heated seats, and cvt.

High points: transmission, unusual interior features
Low points: lack of agility, poor fit and finish, pronounced engine/road noise, visibility, rear access

They also said>>>> smooth CVT helps it get good fuel economy, ride is decent, it is too new to have a reliablity record....

Driving: Compass absorbs bumps reasonably well but has a lot of quck body motions...suspension noise makes ride worse than it actually is. Road noise is loud and engine drones constantly. Any acceleration makes matters worse. Handling is adequate but not impressive with linear but not particularly quick steering and pronounced body lean. In emergency maneuvers, it tended to plow ahead, reducing steering ability despite the standard stability control. The 4 cyl delivers avg performance. Braking distances were fairly long. Headlights had good illumination.

Inside the cabin: interior is drab and looks cheap. Interior panels are made of hard, mismatched plastics with unappealing textures and poor finishes with sharp edges. The driving position is narrow but has good head, leg, and foot room. The steering wheel does not telescope but most drivers found it a comfortable reach away. Big head restraints, thick pillars, and a low windshield compromise visibility.

Support gives way over time in the front seats though even tall drivers had good thigh support initially. The head restraints are hard and uncomfortable. Six-footers have enough leg room in the rear, but the seat is too narrow for 3 to be comfortable. Front access is easy, but the narrow rear doors require some agility from rear passengers.

Reflections can make the gauges hard to read. Most controls are very easy to use but some climate control buttons are small and ventialation knobs are stiff to turn.

Interior storage is moderate. There is a rechargeable flashlight in the rear dome light that can be popped out and a flip forward consolde holder for an MP# player or phone. The cargo floor is hard plastic so cargo can slide around. Cargo space is modest, but the front passenger seat folds for extra long cargo.

...The steering wheel does not telescope but most drivers found it a comfortable reach away.

Out of all the negative things said in the review, the lack of a 'telescoping' steering wheel is what got my attention. Does any Jeep have one of those? All the Jeeps I've driven haven't. I really don't think the person doing the review has spent much time around Jeeps. Besides Jeeps ALWAYS get bad reviews. I guess thats why their vehicles stay on the road longer and why they enjoy such strong brand loyalty. :D

CR definitely love their Hondas/Toyotas....and definitely appear to have a hateful relationship with Jeeps based on past reviews I have read...they even hated the latest G.C. which I think is a great vehicle in every way...the only one they ever recommended (not strongly though) that I remember is the Liberty...and only if the buyer needed more offroad capability than the Honda/Toyota...

Some points they offer are probably valid but in the end, each individual buyer has different ways of using their vehicle and different priorities--whether it be on/off road, cargo vs people, city/highway, budget, business/pleasure use etc.....

so....IMO... reviews can be a bit helpful to point out certain issues but to buy a certain model based only on this or that review is not real smart...go for what satisfies your OWN wants and needs....and usually you can tell that by testdriving the vehicle yourself and giving it a good 'going-over' ....

Out of all the negative things said in the review, the lack of a 'telescoping' steering wheel is what got my attention. Does any Jeep have one of those? All the Jeeps I've driven haven't.

The only Mopar I can think of that has a telescoping wheel is the LX. Most OEMs did away with them when airbags came out, but they are making a comeback.

How did CR deal with the fact that a Compass is in a different price class? The SUVs it is being compared to cost between 1/4 and 1/3 more for similar equipment.

I use CR when buying appliances but only as support information on cars. The repair ratings on cars are helpful but must be taken with a grain of salt. Worthwhile for broad trends but not for small variances.

Silvermike,

That's a good point...I have actually priced out a Honda with leather and the Patriot with leather...there's a sizable difference in cash (about $10000 Canadian)...that buys a lot nicer interior in any car...

Frosty,

The difference is even larger. Jeep dealers will sell a Compass at "invoice" or about $1,000 US off the MSRP. The RAV4 and CR-V are at MSRP or at most $600 US off MSRP. I was told that a similar price offer of "invoice" for the Patriot would be reasonable.

The dealer commented that the Compass is selling well and they are happy with it.

I also found the 'cheap" Compass interior was no worse than the low end Toyota Highlander we looked at a few years ago.

My first impressions concerning the interior were similar -- there is a sense of alot of cheap plastic. But, I thought the use of plastics in the rear storage area was quite innovative. Having driven a corporate Prius with a CVT for a few years, I'm not a big fan of the CVT as I also found that the engine tended to drone at highway speeds and the engine noise was really intrusive particularly when traveling mountain passes on a daily basis; no tach but the sucker would literally scream as the CVT attempted to reconcile rpm and speed. This, however, may not be an issue with flatlanders or sub/urban commuters. Finally, I believe the big issue, as has been mentioned, is the price differential. I found there was almost a three thousand dollar difference between the five speed Forester and comparable Patriot. That buys alot of gas, mods, and makes some cheap plastic much more tolerable.

Funny to see this here as we just looked at the new Honda CR-V...comparing it straight up with the Patriot/Compass. The CR-V is now off our list! Seems CR glossed over some significant consumer related deficiencies! :icon_rolleyes: Shocking!? :notworthy:

1. Jeep offer 2 engines and 2 transmissions. Honda gives the buyer no choice whatsoever. The 2.4L in the Jeep MK's is more powerful as well. On a small 4 banger SUV's a manual is a biggie deal for many. Advantage Jeep.

2. The Unlimited Powertrain warranty is a big bonus for the Jeeps! :smiley_thumbs_up: Honda's limited powertrain coverage ends at 5/yr 60,000miles.

3. Rear seats do NOT fold flat on a CR-V! They stay elevated completely above the floor. Can flip them forward vertically, but they take up a lot of space and affect front passenger seats ability to recline this way. :( Didn't CR hammer the Tahoe and Suburban for this identical design and call it poor packaging? :mad:

4. EPA ratings are worse with the Auto only 2.4L efficient Honda. :wow: Who knew? Jeeps get better mpg ratings!

5. The $5,000 price difference swells when you start dealing. We saw $31,500 MSRP's for the CR-V's nicely loaded. :p

6. A CR-V can only tow a max of 1,500lbs vs. 2,000lbs max on the lil Jeeps. That's a healthy 33% advantage to the Jeeper twins. :cool:

7. The rear hatch window does NOT open on the CR-V either! ;)

8. Crash testing on the CR-V is given hi marks, but when you read the fine print, pelvic fracture(s) are a likely outcome from a 31mph side impact! Ouch. Up to 65pelvis g's vs. 42 for the Compass. So much for the ACE body structure. As far as frontal, the tested Compass weighed >300lbs. more than the tested CR-V which means they cannot be compared. Heavier vehicles tend to do better in real world crashes however. :blah:

9. Even a basic Compass offers nearly an extra inch of ground clearance at 8.1 vs. 7.3 for CR-V.

10. The CR-V's on the local lots were assembled in Mexico or Japan only w/ less than 10% US parts content. Hmmm...

11. Sirius Satellite trial period is only 90 days on a Honda vs. 360 days on all Jeeps!

12. Rear seat DVD entertainment is unavailable in a new CR-V! This alone would sway my Niece and Nephew.

13. Payload capacity (people & gear) in a Compass is 925lbs. vs. 945lbs max for the Honda. It's a wash really!

14. Honda apparently does not provide Roadside Assistance...costs extra and is not included with a new Honda. Yikes. Hear that swelling sound?!

15. Accessory Roof rack capacity on a CR-V is only 75lbs. vs. 150lbs on the Compass!

16. The turning radius on the CR-V is 37.8ft versus 35.5ft in a Compass w/ 16 or 17" wheels. Agility goes to Jeeps...what was CR saying?

17. Rollover (a calculation only) likelihood in an accident is 17/15% 2WD/AWD for the CR-V and 18/16% 2WD/AWD for the Compass/Patriot. 1% difference is not significant.

18. The CR-V's seats did have active head restraints. A nice feature. Advantage Honda.

19. Not only are the engine's in the Jeep's more efficient, but they are cleaner and top the compact SUV class! http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_byclass_csuv.htm

20. It's a genuine, original, One and Only Jeep!

While we haven't purchased a Compass yet, the information above is compelling! :pepper::banana:

..

16. The turning radius on the CR-V is 37.8ft versus 35.5ft in a Compass. Agility goes to Jeeps...what was CR saying? ..

FYI- The Compass Limited with the 18" wheels has a 37.2 ft turning radius.

FYI- The Compass Limited with the 18" wheels has a 37.2 ft turning radius.

Interesting.

I quoted what each manufacturer printed in their brochures! :doh: You wouldn't think a slight change on the outside diameter of the wheel & tire combo would change it that much?

Interesting.

I quoted what each manufacturer printed in their brochures! :doh: You wouldn't think a slight change on the outside diameter of the wheel & tire combo would change it that much?


The info came from the 2007 Compass brochure. Most likely the 18" are wider which means they will hit the fender liner beforethose equipped with 17" will. I wonder if the steering stops are different between the sport and limited?

The 2008 Jeep Compass/Patriot brochures do have this information.

1. The Patriot is not available with 18" wheels, so its turning diameter still stands curb to curb at 35.6 ft.

2. The Compass is available with more wheel options! Sport models are indeed sportier w/ a turning diameter of 35.5 ft! The larger 18" wheels standard on the Limited and special edition Rallye Group models increase the turning diameter to 37.2 ft

Thanks for the clarification help JP! :smiley_thumbs_up: