2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk Review

The 2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk is probably the most hardcore off-roader in its segment. No, it's not going to conquer Moab, but the compact crossover is more capable than you'd ever need. Watch as we take it off-road to see what it's made of.
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AutoGuide reviews the latest new cars with test drives, car comparisons and shootouts plus coverage of breaking auto industry news, auto shows, rumors and spy photos. Help shop for your new car with informative car buying tips and car recall news, and be entertained with feature stories, Top 10s and car review videos.

[@overtheclouds9]

I bought one in May 2018. I love it. It’s fun to drive and it stands out in a crowded parking lot. The leather seats are really nice. Plenty of room for me, my girlfriend, the baby and the dogs. If your worried about power go to manual shift mode. I can’t wait to do more off-roading with it. The only thing I wish was available when I bought mine is the tow package. $1100 for parts and labor because the lower part of the bumper gets replaced. Part of that also is the wiring. Keep that in mind when your shopping. Don’t go for a cheap aftermarket hitch. Doing a cutout in the lower bumper will not look too good. The factory receiver hitch has 7 round and 4 flat connections so you can have trailer brake control. It’s all plug and play making for a simpler instillation.

[@AWDfreak]

Stephen Elmer gave an extremely honest and down-to-earth review of the vehicle. It seems some automotive reviewers are a little clueless about off-roading, and Stephen doesn't fall into that category. Props to Jeep for having the courage to have a course that meets and slightly exceeds the limits of the Jeep Compass Trailhawk to properly demonstrate its off-road capability, and for Stephen for finally understanding why a moderately off-road capable crossover makes sense for a handful of drivers.

[@eightballsidepocket]

Huge improvement to the outgoing Compass and the Patriot. This was meant to blast fire roads, find off highway points of interest, and unimproved campsites.. and it will do that perfectly.

[@kevinalan1335]

(Paraphrasing) "It never really leaves you wanting for power till you get on the trail."... Sounds as if the problem is transmission related and not power. Burying a throttle has the affect of helping a transmission realize it needs to drop to lower gear ratio. The ZF sourced transmission used in this new Compass is well documented as being poorly programmed. It sounds like that is the cause for having to overly exert the throttle, not a lack of power. No one is really speeding through a off road trail. 9 gear ratios on a transmission built to increase fuel efficiency. Sounds like the trade off for better mpg on road is having to bury the throttle off road to nudge the transmission into realizing what you are trying to accomplish. Great review btw. To the point and well said. sorry for the repost.

[@virendradr]

Excellent details and guide lines of the buyers .well done dear sir

[@krasnaludek298]

All the people criticizing this vehicle; it will go over 99% of the terrain that you're ever likely to face. Heck, I have a JK and don't rock crawl ... gets 14mpg because I have 35" tires. That's why this crossover makes sense; you can drive in the snow, run most trails, haul your sports gear, and still get North of 20mpg. I may pick one up as a commuter and keep my JK for weekends. These Compass' look excellent ... nicer than the Cherokee.

[@gbtriumph3216]

YOU NAILED IT! Everything you said is accurate. If you want more, get a Wrangler. For everyday driving and occasional off-road, there is NOTHING on the market that compares, especially considering the out the door REAL price. Well done!

[@BrendenPragasam]

you guys should try team reviews for some of these cars!

[@kanamekuran23]

Brenden Pragasam like fifth gear

[@jamesseaver6326]

the lines of this vehicle are great...

[@ecbcbm]

This should have been the Cherokee...

[@DocWolph]

The Cherokee is being restyled to fit more in with Jeep's current design language. So, yeah, no more "Moon Patrol".

[@YouDontWannaFightMe]

My Jeep doesn't need a trail rated badge for me to know I can take it off-road. It's an XJ, which was made before Jeep started diluting their brand with weak crossovers. It's nice to see they're actually trying again.

[@SSS-mp8th]

99% of these, even those that buy the trailhawk version won’t go off road; might hit some gravel or dirt going to a camping spot or need some clearance to park along the baseball or soccer field. So what people will need to know is on road driving, cargo capacity and inclement weather capability. I personally like the GC Trailhawk mostly for how it looks and I know if I get a foot of snow I should be fine or if I need to park on a dirt hill instead of walking half a mile to get to the field I could. That is all people use these for. Real off roaders get a Wrangler and modify it or if out west they may opt for a Raptor or similar dune crawler.

[@TinLeadHammer]

These 99% people you are talking about do not need an SUV or even a crossover. What they need is a station wagon. Which is what they get, disguised as a crossover, but they just do not want to admit that they just want a large cabin and rear hatch. Stupid.

[@SSS-mp8th]

LeadHammer - I know I wish people would realize that so we could get more good wagons instead of hopped up wagons. I'd love a V-8 or TT v-6 Chevy Nomad, big wagon with some passing power. Instead we get 500hp SUV/CUVs. :(

[@nathanmaynard131]

It’s either that, or they don’t want to drop 50 grand on a wrangler. Wranglers base models start at roughly the same price as the trailhawk model. I did this on the build your wrangler website. Chose the base of the base model with manual locks and roll down windows and all I added was AC and all weather mats plus and auto trans. Came out to $33,000. That’s insane.

[@DocWolph]

FCA needs to introduce more powerful engines to their vehicles. The Compass really could use a 200-250hp engine.

[@yanni2737]

How many vehicle on the sub-compact segment have 250hp+ engines?🤔

[@FoodyTunes]

Make Craig Great Again

[@DimachkaS]

MCGA

[@onefastcyclist]

Another new product from Fiat/Chrysler confirming my choice to put my hard earned $ into a restoration/build of Cherokee XJ. So much more for just a little more money and a real transfer case too!

[@BTC909]

Skip to :38

[@3dparagon]

lol, and your opening statement makes your the guru of all that is offroad!!! and the dislike is for that statement

[@Abhiman9596]

i think that was good review. ya, okay bye!!

[@miguelircontar]

I'll pass...

[@jamesseaver6326]

why not the a six speed , or even the 8 speed, but they give us the 9 speed with more lawsuites filed against them, folks they just tells to like it and take it , not even 200 horse power, geeeeeeeeeesh.

[@brandonpollard8928]

Get that camera out of your face and let us see the interior

[@essel23fly]

DEALERS PLEASE STOP OFFERING THIS MODEL MOSTLY IN 4x4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How do the the millions of people driving their crappy fwd cars make it alive thru the winters??? You don't need AWD unless you're going up a mountain cliff, or driving on the sand, or are diving like a maniac in a snowstorm or rain just to FINALLY justify going for the AWD. This is just a crappy SUV that will be used to go to McDonald's or the mall. Stop with the 4x4 just because it's a jeep. Come on.

[@mgsb387]

essel23fly have you ever heard of snow?

[@essel23fly]

TittyWinks for multiple winter seasons my only car was a RWD Camaro. It's fine. I'm in a warmer climate city now and the lot is pretty much all 4x4

[@mgsb387]

essel23fly I still have my gto but I DD it for 6 years. Winters in Michigan are fine until you have 3 inches of snow and you're fucked.