The Compass marks the first Jeep to come with front wheel drive as a standard configuration. Of course, Jeep is known as a 4x4 vehicle, and that’s the configuration this reviewer drove. Compass cuts a good direction as a Jeep newcomer. It has a unitized steel body, a fully independent suspension, and decent cargo space – 22.7 cubic feet with rear seat up and 53.6 cubic feet with rear seat folded down. The vehicle proved itself a capable cruiser on a nasty washboard-like dirt road. (The same can’t be said for a sedan that dislocated its suspension on that same road.) Compass’ 8.5-inch ground clearance is complimented by a 21.1-degree approach angle, and 32.1-degree departure angle. Power is gleaned from a 2.4-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine that produces 172 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 165 pounds-feet torque at 4400 rpm. The engine mates to a five-speed manual transmission whose gearbox is on the lower portion of the center stack. (Just as a point of interest, Compass offers a turbo-diesel mated to a 6-speed manual outside North America.) Standard trimmings on the Compass include three-mode electronic stability, anti-lock brakes with rough road detection, 17-inch aluminum wheels, side curtain airbags, and electronic roll mitigation. Options include a self-recharging and removable interior lamp/flashlight in the cargo area headliner. Estimated mileage on the Compass Limited 4x4 is 25 city and 29 highway. That same vehicle has a MSRP of $21,675.