What to Look for in a Small SUV

Think small SUV

They say the best things come in small packages! You’ve decided a small SUV is what best fits your family’s needs. But, what should you look for when choosing the best small SUV?

When choosing the best small SUV, look for cargo space, gas mileage versus horsepower, rear-seat legroom and, of course, safety.

• Functional cargo space
• Gas mileage versus horsepower
• Rear seat legroom
• Safety

If you’re going off road, you’ll want to carry everyone’s clothes, sleeping bags, snacks, and more. A lighter gas bill is always welcomed, especially on longer trips. Speaking of longer trips, legroom is great for making everyone less cranky and asking less frequently, “Are we there yet?” And, safety goes without saying!

The case for small SUVs

Small SUVs come with numerous advantages!

Most small SUVs offer:

• Lower carbon footprint than a regular SUV
• Roomier interior than a sedan
• Light-duty towing
• In-line four-cylinder engines boasting performance and efficiency
• Standard front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive optional
• Automatic transmission
• Power accessories
• Air conditioning
• Audio system
• Rearview camera
• Infotainment system

If you want more interior and cargo space than sedans offer, and better gas mileage than an SUV, choose a compact SUV!

Functional cargo space

When choosing the best small SUV, cargo space is important. Do you go camping a lot? Do you have an aspiring hockey player?

The Jeep Compass has ample space with 27.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seat. Jeep is smart with the space’s versatility and usability. The rear seat and the front-door passenger seat fold almost completely flat, so you can haul long items. Even that Christmas tree as tall as your ceiling!

Additionally, cubbies throughout the cabin offer small-item storage, including a bin in the cargo floor.

Gas mileage versus horsepower

Which one will it be if you had to choose? How about both! Today you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. You should look for a small SUV that will combine the best of both worlds.

Jeep Compass Gas Mileage: Above-Average Highway Rating

The Jeep Compass has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 32 mpg on the highway, higher than the rest in its class. Its city rating of 23 mpg is about average.

MPG:

• 22-23 City
• 30-32 Hwy

All 2018 Jeep Compass models come with a 180-horsepower four-cylinder engine and the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic (six speeds with front-wheel drive; nine speeds with four-wheel drive).

• Manual transmission, six speeds
• Automatic transmission, six speeds with front-wheel drive
• Automatic transmission, nine speeds with four-wheel drive

Rear seat legroom

Choosing the best small SUV for your family means legroom for extended trips. It’s a good rule of thumb to test for legroom in the back with your teens —and don’t forget to leave room to grow. If you have a young child, bring your car seat to the test drive to make sure it fits before you purchase the vehicle!

In terms of rear seat legroom in the Jeep Compass, you’ll find plenty of it.

The Compass interior:

The Compass seats five people with generous legroom for four adults. You can also install a child safety seat in any of the back seat’s three positions.

Safety

We know safety is the #1 concern when choosing the best small SUV for your family – or any vehicle for that matter.

U.S. News & World Report gives the Jeep Compass a 9.3 / 10 when it comes to safety.

Since small SUVs are … well … small(!) … they are able to be equipped with lane keeping assist and full curtain airbags (side airbags that protect the head). Up to 45% of cases of brain injury or death during side impact crashes are reduced when vehicles have curtain airbags, according to Crash Test Vehicle Safety & Accident Prevention.

Crash test smarties

The 2018 Jeep Compass earned a four out of five star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To break it down: The Compass received four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests, and five stars in the side crash test. The Compass also received the highest score of “Good” in all five tests at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Jeep Compass’ Safety features

A rearview camera comes standard in the 2018 Compass. Jeep also offers a host of advanced safety feature options, including automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blindspot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and rear parking sensors.

• Automatic high beams
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Blindspot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Rear parking sensors
• Full curtain airbags

Best Compact SUVs includes the 2018 Jeep Compass

Choosing the best small SUV could very well mean selecting the 2018 Jeep Compass! The 2018 Jeep Compass offers off-roading ability, a roomy cabin, and a low price.

Features:

• User-friendly infotainment system
• Good value for an off-road SUV
• Convenient and versatile cargo storage
• Seats five adults comfortably
• FWD or 4WD
• 180 horsepower
• One of the least expensive vehicles in its class (compact SUVs)
• High-quality interior materials
• Great for off-roading on a budget
• 5-inch touch screen
• Bluetooth
• Two USB ports (one for backseat passengers)
• Upgrades available for a 8.4-inch touch-screen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, and a nine-speaker Beats premium audio system

New or used Jeep Compass?

Fully redesigned for the 2017 model year, Jeep didn’t make major changes to the Compass for 2018 or 2019. If you want to save a few dollars, see if there’s a 2018 model available.

2017 updates to the Jeep Compass include:

• Updated interior
• Improved off-road ability
• Modern features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• More horsepower

The Jeep Compass warranty

Jeep offers a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Jeep Compass.

Which Jeep Compass fits your needs?

The Compass is available in five different trims, including Sport, Latitude, Altitude, Limited, and Trailhawk.

• Jeep Compass Sport
• Jeep Compass Latitude
• Jeep Compass Altitude
• Jeep Compass Limited
• Jeep Compass Trailhawk

You’ve got options!

During the cold winters in Michigan the Cold Weather Group option comes in handy. It features heated seats and remote start. Two different four-wheel-drive systems are also convenient for icy roads; systems feature four traction control settings: Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud.

Advanced Safety and Lighting Group, and infotainment system upgrades are a couple of the many add-on options! If you want maximum drivability in all weather conditions your SUV should be “Trail Rated”.

Small SUVs are popular for a reason!

People buy more SUVs than cars. SUVs are roomy, offer generous storage, and have towing capabilities. They also feature fuel-efficient engines and drivetrains.

• Roomy cabins
• Generous storage
• Towing capabilities
• Fuel-efficient

In conclusion

The 2018 Jeep Compass includes ample legroom, an excellent infotainment system, versatile cargo storage, and off-roading capabilities for exploring. Get ready for your next adventure!

Contact us

Ready to purchase your small SUV? Choosing the best small SUV is a process. Our knowledgeable staff is on-hand to answer any questions you might have. Come to Thelen Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and take a test drive today. See for yourself why we’ve fallen in love with the Jeep Compass!

 

 

 

Links:

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/compact-suvs

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/jeep/compass

https://www.carfax.com/blog/buying-an-suv

https://www.jeep.com/compass.html

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/06/fuel-economy-vs-performance/index.htm

https://www.crashtest.org/curtain-airbags/

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