Jeep Compass Ground Clearance: What To Know
2019 Jeep Compass by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
You’re on your way to your friend’s house for your weekly coffee-and-conversation visit. You like to leave early for these hangouts because you drive a sedan, and your friend has a driveway like a park slide (steep) and you know you’ll have to circle the block a couple times to find a spot.
The last time you tried to get into their driveway you came away with rattled nerves and a nasty scrape on your front bumper. Even on your day-to-day, you avoid potholes like the plague, and find your knuckles turning white as you approach speed bumps, gravel, and any road rougher than a Daytona racetrack. You’ve just about had it, and are thinking that maybe it’s time to upgrade to a taller vehicle.
It can be tempting to shoot for the stratosphere and go straight for the biggest, tallest, flashiest SUV you can find. And we’re not here to tell you “no!” But if you’ve been a lifelong low-rider and aren’t quite ready to get a vehicle you could walk under, the Jeep Compass has everything you could wish for in a vehicle. It’s compact, stylish, and best of all the Jeep Compass ground clearance gives you the height you need to finally park in your friend’s larger-than-life driveway.
What is Ground Clearance?
Ground clearance, otherwise known as ride height, is the distance between the bottom of your vehicle and the surface on which you are driving. And the amount of ground clearance you have will determine what kinds of driving you can do.
High-performance sports cars generally have a very low ground clearance which means they’re able to take corners at very high speeds, but also that they need a very smooth and flat road to drive on. SUVs or other off-road vehicles, on the other hand, tend to have a very tall ride height which enables them to climb over obstacles such as fallen logs, boulders, or extra-tall speed bumps in their path.
Other factors that determine the driving capabilities of your vehicle can also affect the ground clearance. Sports cars have hard shocks to keep the ride smooth and stable at 100 MPH. And SUVs have big wheels and large, springy suspension mechanisms that allow them to carry heavy loads over rugged terrain. Big shocks and big wheels also give your vehicle better height.
Jeeps are the original sports utility vehicles, and even their luxury models are built to take you on a real adventure. The Compass comes equipped with off-roader quality shocks, tires, and chassis build that make it remarkably tall for a compact SUV. Reviewers compliment the 2021 Compass for its attractive design AND it’s on-brand off road capabilities.
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All About the Jeep Compass Ground Clearance
The Jeep Compass has something for everyone. And by that we mean that, whatever needs you have, there is a trim package associated with this vehicle that will meet those needs.
The 2021 Compass has 3 different ride heights to choose from stretched across its 12 different trim options. The Sport, Latitude, Altitude, 80th anniversary, and Limited FWD models – casual city cruisers with dirt-road capabilities – have a minimum ground clearance of 7.8 inches: some of the lowest in the Jeep family.
The 4x4 trim packages back up their more heavy-duty trail riding specs with a higher ground clearance at 8.2 inches. And the Jeep Compass ground clearance maxes out with the Trailhawk trim at 8.5 to help you navigate tougher terrain.
At around 173 inches long and 64.6 inches tall, the Jeep Compass sits comfortably in the “crossover” category as a small SUV. Competitors of the Compass all feature similar ground clearance: the Mazda CX-5 is 7.5 inches off the ground, the Mitsubishi Eclipse 8.0, and the Honda CR-V 7.8. The only vehicle in the compact SUV category that beats the biggest Compass is the Subaru Crosstrek, which towers over the competition at 8.7 inches.
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Jeep Compass Ground Clearance Over the Years
The Compass debuted in 2007, originally offered exclusively with manual transmission, and a utilitarian interior. Back then only 4 trim packages were available: two-door sport and limited, and four-door sport and limited. The 2021 Compass, by contrast, features 12 trims to choose from, ranging from the Sport FWD, to the limited 80th Anniversary 4x4.
Of course this new model comes equipped with all the bells and whistles, including modern safety features like automatic braking and lane-assist, as well as an easy-to-use bluetooth infotainment system. And the design has changed dramatically over the years as well.
Shown side-by-side, it’s hard to believe that the original and contemporary models are of the same line. A boxy and almost van-like silhouette has been replaced with a stunningly powerful outline, and the classic round headlights have been updated to give the front of this vehicle a more serious expression.
There have been 14 iterations of the Jeep Compass since it first rolled off the assembly line. Changes are bound to happen as design, safety, and technological standards continuously update. But one thing that has remained relatively the same is the ride height.
All 2007 trim packages featured a ground clearance of 8.2. 2008 to 2016 models dipped down to 8.1. Ride height began to diversify in 2017 with the introduction of the Trailhawk at 8.5. Then in 2018 FWD trims dropped to 7.8, and 4x4s grew back up to 8.2. In 2021 these ground clearance levels remain the same.
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Where You Can Drive in a Jeep Compass
Where you can go in your Compass depends on which Compass you choose to buy. A Jeep is a Jeep is a Jeep, and even with the FWD Sport trim you will find your vehicle more than capable of tackling dirt roads and less-than-friendly terrain. But if adventure is truly your middle name and your idea of a good time is finding and conquering the highest peak around with your set of wheels, the Trailhawk is the best option for you.
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