Look, nobody will evaluate you if you really must have heated seats (they’re fantastic in winter!), a panoramic glass roof (it makes the cabin so much brighter!), or adaptive cruise control (highway driving is far less stressful!), and Jeep will happily take your money for better-equipped trims of the Compass. That said, the Compass Sport makes a compelling argument for being the best of the bunch.
For just under $30k (including destination) you get the most compelling features of the Compass: the healthy towing rating, the perky 2.0L turbo engine, and the expansive screen for the infotainment system. You also get the same 36-month / 36,000-mile limited warranty as the costlier versions. Frankly, if I really was going to venture off-road, I’d rather do it in the plastic-clad Compass Sport than start worrying about scratches and dings to paint-matched bodywork.
Whether it’s the best crossover for people, is another question, and factors appreciate the Mazda CX-50 being more engaging to drive, or the Ford Bronco Sport having more cargo space play a role. If budget rules your decision, however, it’s tough to visualize feeling short-changed by what the 2023 Jeep Compass Sport brings to your driveway.
