2009 Jeep® Compass Takes Brand in a New Direction

August 31, 2008 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  The Jeep® brand continues to tread in new territory with the 2009 Jeep Compass — a compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) that delivers fun, freedom, utility, excellent fuel efficiency and Jeep 4x4 capability at a terrific value.

For 2009, Jeep Compass features an all-new redesigned instrument panel, center console with split lid for added storage space and door trim panels. The all-new instrument panel features a smoother look while chrome accents brighten the new round heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) vents, shift bezel, door spears and cluster rings. The all-new center console and door trim panels feature padded armrests for added comfort. New LED-illuminated cup holders make it easier to place beverages in the right spot at night.

Side-curtain air bags, Brake Traction Control, driver-controlled three-mode Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with rough-road detection are all standard on the 2009 Jeep Compass.

Compact and nimble, Jeep Compass brings a new sense of adventure to the compact SUV market, combining the packaging and functionality of an SUV with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup. Compass and its stablemate Patriot are the Jeep brand’s first front-wheel-drive-based products with fully independent suspensions for comfortable on-road ride and handling and fun-to-drive characteristics.

To reduce noise and give the 2009 Jeep Compass a quieter ride, engine compartment and interior floor insulation has been added. Tuning improvements to the engine exhaust also have been made. Revised suspension tuning also gives Jeep Compass a more comfortable, smoother ride.

In addition to its standard front-wheel-drive configuration, Jeep Compass also has an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with lock mode called Freedom Drive I™. This four-wheel-drive system features a lockable center coupling, giving Jeep Compass drivers the ability to handle rough weather conditions and low-traction surfaces.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2009

Exterior:

  • Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat replaces Light Khaki Clear Coat 
  • Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat replaces Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat 
  • Mold-in-color liftgate appliqué on Sport model 
  • Body-color liftgate appliqué on Limited model

Interior:

  • New instrument panel, door trim panel and center console 
  • Soft touch door armrest and center console with split lid for added storage space 
  • New chrome accents on the Compass Sport HVAC vents and shift bezel 
  • New chrome accents on the Compass Limited HVAC vents, shift bezel, instrument panel, door spears and cluster rings 
  • Carpeted load floor replaces vinyl load floor 
  • LED-illuminated cup holders 
  • Large front and rear floor mats standard on Sport “E” and Limited models 
  • uconnect tunes and uconnect gps available 
  • uconnect tunes standard on Limited model 
  • Universal Customer Interface (UCI) standard with uconnect

Powertrain/Chassis:

  • 2.4L CVT PZEV powertrain option available on FWD CVT model 
  • Improved engine compartment and floor silencers plus revised exhaust tuning (including larger resonator) 
  • Revised suspension tuning for a more comfortable, smoother ride

Packages:

Jeep® Compass Sport with Special Equipment Group “E” and Jeep Compass Limited features: 

  • Security and Convenience Group (which includes HomeLink Universal Home Security System Transceiver, Tire Pressure Monitoring [TPM] display, Electronic Vehicle Information Center [EVIC] with compass, uconnect phone with UCI and auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, soft tonneau cover, security alarm, heated cloth seats and front seat-mounted side air bags) 
  • Sun and Sound Group (which includes a sun roof, uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio [Sport “E” only], a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls [Sport “E” only] and six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer and two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities)

DESIGN
The 2009 Jeep® Compass features a flexible, functional interior with clever innovations. Jeep Compass’ interior combines functional style, comfort and versatility in an appealing and surprisingly roomy package. Jeep Compass’ flexible interior gives buyers the capability to do more in terms of seating friends and storing gear.

Jeep Compass has 39.4 inches of rear seat leg room, 53.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat and 60.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the front passenger seatback and rear seats folded flat. A command-of-the-road seating position (two inches higher than Dodge Caliber) gives Jeep Compass drivers an added feeling of control.

For 2009, Jeep Compass features an all-new redesigned instrument panel, door trim panels and center console. The all-new instrument panel features a smoother look while chrome accents brighten the new round heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) vents, shift bezel, door spears and cluster rings. New LED-illuminated cup holders make it easier to place beverages in the right spot at night. The all-new door trim panels and center console feature padded armrests for added comfort.

Sleek and sophisticated, the 2009 Jeep Compass broadens the global appeal of the Jeep brand by attracting new buyers who may not have previously considered the brand. Jeep design falls into two categories: Jeep Classic and Jeep Modern. Jeep Compass epitomizes Jeep Modern design and introduces the style to the compact SUV segment.

On the outside, the Jeep Compass features a fresh look with traditional round Jeep headlamps and seven-slot grille, muscular bodyside flares, a strong stance and sweeping roofline, combined with the versatility of five doors. It is designed to appeal to customers who want four-wheel-drive capability or the year-round versatility of front-wheel drive, combined with excellent fuel economy and an attractive price point.

The Compass features the Jeep brand’s signature seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel openings. There also are several modern design twists that distinguish Compass from traditionally styled Jeep vehicles.

Compass’ silhouette — with a steeply raked windshield, expressive hood and deep fascia — gives the Jeep Compass its modern, yet capable appearance. The Jeep Compass’ side profile features uniquely sculptured fender forms delivering a fresh, athletic interpretation of traditional Jeep trapezoidal wheel flares.

While the front door handles are placed on the sheet metal, the rear door handles are mounted on the C-pillar to preserve the character line that is stamped in the rear doors. Black graphic appliqués on the center pillars and the flush-mounted rear quarter glass, combined with the black belt moldings, provide the illusion of a single window opening from the A-pillar to the D-pillar.

The windshield moldings channel water over the roof and integrate smoothly into the black, full-length side roof rails. These rails are functional; four tie-downs per side are included for securing items, and Mopar accessory crossbars are available.

Compass’ functional rear spoiler is tuned for aerodynamics and visually extends the vehicle’s roof line. A six light-emitting diode (LED) center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) and washer nozzle is integrated into the spoiler.

Standard 17-inch aluminum wheels and available 18-inch aluminum or chrome-clad wheels explore Compass’ dual nature: off-road capability and on-road sophistication. Large wheels and 27- to 28-inch outer diameter tires, combined with the Jeep Compass’ suspension design, contribute to 8.4 inches of ground clearance. The low-profile design of the rear suspension also maximizes rear seat and cargo room.

ENGINEERING
Jeep® Compass offers buyers the confidence and assurance that comes with Jeep 4x4 capability. In addition to its standard front-wheel-drive configuration, Jeep Compass has an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with lock mode called Freedom Drive I™. This four-wheel-drive system features a lockable center coupling, which gives drivers the ability to put Jeep Compass in four-wheel-drive lock mode to handle deeper snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces.

To reduce noise and give the 2009 Jeep Compass a quieter ride, engine compartment and interior floor insulation has been added. Tuning improvements to the engine exhaust also have been made. Revised suspension tuning also gives Jeep Compass a more comfortable, smoother ride.

he 2009 Jeep Compass’ powertrain is designed to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement all at an affordable, entry-level price. Jeep Compass Sport and Limited models feature a standard 2.4-liter World Engine that produces 172 horsepower (129 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (222 N•m) of torque. This 2.4-liter World Engine has dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts, which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds and produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT. Dual VVT is a technology typically not available on vehicles sold in the United States in the Jeep Compass’ price class. Compass’ 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transaxle delivers 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Jeep Compass models feature a standard five-speed manual transaxle and an available Continously Variable Transaxle (CVT2). The Compass’ CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response and precise ratio control. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6 to 8 percent compared with a traditional four-speed automatic transaxle. Compass’ CVT2 also improves vehicle performance compared with an automatic transaxle because of optimized gear ratios, especially during passing maneuvers in the 30–60 mph range.

Also available on the 2009 Jeep Compass Sport 4x2 model is a 2.0-liter World Engine that provides 158 horsepower (117 kW) and 141 lb.-ft. (191 N•m) of torque coupled with the CVT2 and delivers 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Jeep Compass also demonstrates that capability and safety go hand in hand. Compass includes many standard safety features, such as: 

  • Side-curtain air bags 
  • Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 
  • Brake Assist 
  • Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) 
  • Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with rough-road detection 
  • Brake Traction Control

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

Breakthrough Jeep® conquers new territory 

  • Jeep Compass is a fun-to-drive compact Jeep 4x4 that delivers fun, freedom, utility and capability, excellent fuel economy, interior flexibility and standard safety features — all at a great value 
  • Jeep Compass combines the packaging and functionality of a sport-utility vehicle with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup 
  • Jeep Compass features a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine with dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and an available CVT2 with Auto Stick 
  • Compact and nimble, Jeep Compass is the right size for world markets

Modern, urban design appeals to a new class of entry-level Jeep buyers 

  • Jeep Compass is a modern-styled Jeep that broadens the global appeal of the Jeep brand by targeting new buyers who previously may not have considered the brand 
  • Jeep Compass offers the credibility and prestige of the Jeep brand

Cool, clever innovations abound 

  • Jeep Compass offers many innovative interior features and flexibility, including: 
    • Flexible 60/40 split, fold-flat rear seats with available recline feature 
    • Available front-passenger seat that folds forward to create a table-like surface for versatility 
    • Available 115-volt power outlet in the center console that can power small electronics 
    • Removable carpeted load floor 
    • An available dual purpose, self-recharging removable light-emitting diode (LED) interior lamp mounted in the headliner above the cargo area that can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight 
    • Stain Repel Seat Fabric 
    • Security and Convenience Group (which includes HomeLink Universal Home Security System Transceiver, Tire Pressure Monitoring [TPM] display, Electronic Vehicle Information Center [EVIC] with compass, uconnect phone with UCI and auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, soft tonneau cover, security alarm, heated cloth seats and front seat-mounted side air bags) 
    • Sun and Sound Group (which includes a sun roof, uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer and two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities)

Value for the money – excellent fuel economy, high-level of standard safety features, including: 

  • Side-curtain air bags 
  • ESP 
  • Brake Assist 
  • ERM 
  • (ABS) with rough-road detection 
  • Brake Traction Control

MODEL LINEUP

2009 Jeep® Compass Sport

Standard Features 

  • Front-wheel drive 
  • 2.4-liter World Engine with dual VVT (172 horsepower [128 kW] and 165 lb.-ft. [223 N•m] of torque) 
  • Five-speed manual transaxle 
  • Side-curtain air bags 
  • ESP 
  • Brake Traction Control 
  • Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) 
  • Hydraulic Brake Assist 
  • Four-wheel disc ABS 
  • Air conditioning 
  • Cloth seats 
  • Outdoor temperature display 
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) warning lamp 
  • AM/FM single-disc CD radio with an auxiliary audio input jack 
  • Carpeted removable load floor 
  • 12-volt power outlet 
  • Flexible 60/40 split, fold-flat rear seats 
  • Manual windows and locks and foldaway mirrors 
  • Tilt steering column 
  • Sentry Key® engine immobilizer 
  • Rear window wiper/washer 
  • Rear window defroster 
  • Fog lamps 
  • Body-color grille and fascias 
  • Compact spare tire 
  • Dome and cargo lights 
  • 17-inch aluminum wheels and touring tires 
  • Illuminated cup holders

Optional Features 

  • Freedom Drive I™ four-wheel-drive system 
  • Second-generation CVT2 with Auto Stick 
  • 2.4L CVT2 Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) powertrain option available on FWD CVT2 model 
  • 2.0-liter World Engine (158 horsepower [117 kW] and 141 lb.-ft. [191 N•m] of torque) coupled with CVT2 (available on 4x2 Sport models only) 
  • Front seat-mounted side air bags 
  • uconnect tunes 
  • Sport Special Equipment Group “E,” which includes: 
    • 115-volt power outlet in the center console 
    • Stain Repel Seat Fabric 
    • Deep-tinted sunscreen glass 
    • Speed control 
    • Manual driver seat height adjuster 
    • Flexible 60/40 rear seats that fold flat and recline 
    • Fold-flat passenger seat 
    • Removable/rechargeable interior LED cargo lamp 
    • Map reading lamps 
    • Passenger assist handles 
    • Power windows (driver one-touch) 
    • Power locks 
    • Power mirrors 
    • Remote keyless entry with illuminated entry 
    • Large carpeted front and rear floor mats

In addition to the optional features on Jeep Compass Sport, the following options are available on the Jeep Compass Sport with the Special Equipment Group “E”: 

  • Sun and Sound Group (which includes sun roof, uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer and two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities) 
  • Security and Convenience Group (which includes soft tonneau cover, security alarm, auto-dimming rearview mirror, EVIC with compass, HomeLink Universal Home Security System Transceiver, TPM display, heated cloth seats and front seat-mounted side airbags) 
  • Trailer Tow Prep Group (which includes engine oil cooler, trailer tow wiring harness and full-size spare tire) 
  • Heated cloth seats 
  • Engine block heater 
  • Smoker’s Group 
  • 17-inch all-terrain outlined white letter (OWL)

2009 Jeep Compass Limited

Standard Features

In addition to the standard equipment on the Jeep Compass Sport model and the Sport model equipped with the Special Equipment Group “E,” the Jeep Compass Limited model features: 

  • Leather-trimmed, heated bucket seats 
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel with steering wheel-mounted audio controls 
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone 
  • HomeLink Universal Home Security System Transceiver 
  • Driver seat manual lumbar adjust 
  • TPM display 
  • EVIC with compass 
  • Bright front and rear fascia overlays 
  • Lower bright bodyside moldings 
  • 18-inch aluminum wheels and All-season Performance tires 
  • uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio 
  • uconnect tunes which includes a 30-gigabyte hard drive for ripping as many as 6,700 songs from CD or USB memory devices in MP3, AAC or WMA compressed file formats and JPEG photos onto the hard drive. In addition, movies can be displayed on the screen for entertaining passengers when the vehicle is in Park

Optional Features

In addition to the options offered on the Jeep Compass Sport and Jeep Compass Sport with the Special Equipment Group “E,” other features available on the Jeep Compass Limited model include: 

  • 18-inch aluminum chrome-clad wheels 
  • Security and Convenience Group (which includes uconnect phone with UCI, soft tonneau cover, security alarm, daytime running lamps and front seat-mounted side air bags) 
  • Available Sun and Sound Group (which includes a sun roof, six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer and two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities) 
  • uconnect gps which combines the features of uconnect phone and uconnect tunes with navigation and real-time traffic. The system includes an integrated voice recognition system and touch screen for easy operation

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Please refer to the Safety and Security Glossary for descriptions of the following available features: 

  • Advanced Multi-stage Air Bags 
  • All-speed Traction Control 
  • Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) 
  • Auto-reverse Sun Roof 
  • BeltAlert 
  • Brake Assist 
  • Brake/Park Interlock 
  • Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) 
  • Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) 
  • Child-protection Rear Door Locks 
  • Constant Force Retractors (CFR) 
  • Crumple Zones 
  • Door Alert 
  • Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) 
  • Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 
  • Energy-absorbing Steering Column 
  • Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS) 
  • Height-adjustable Seat Belts 
  • HomeLink Universal Home Security System Transceiver 
  • Interior Head-impact Protection 
  • Knee Bolsters 
  • Low-risk Deployment Air Bag 
  • Remote Keyless Entry 
  • Seat Belt Pretensioners 
  • Security Alarm 
  • Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer 
  • Supplemental Side Air Bags 
  • Supplemental Side-curtain Air Bags 
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) 
  • uconnect phone

COLOR AVAILABILITY 

  • Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat (New) 
  • Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat (New) 
  • Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat 
  • Surf Blue Pearl Coat 
  • Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat 
  • Jeep® Green Metallic Clear Coat 
  • Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat 
  • Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat 
  • Stone White Clear Coat

MANUFACTURING INFORMATION 

  • 2009 model year production start: July 2008 
  • Production location: Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Ill. 
  • 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine: Global Engine Manufacturing Assembly (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Mich. 
  • Five-speed manual transmission: Magna, Syracuse, N.Y. 
  • CVT2: Jatco, Mexico

MARKET POSITION
Jeep® Compass is a modern-styled Jeep vehicle designed to reach youthful customers who previously may not have considered the brand. Compass has the credibility and cachet of the Jeep brand at a very affordable price. It also provides excellent performance and fuel economy not expected in a sport-utility vehicle.

DEMOGRAPHICS 

  • Gender: 60 percent female/40 percent male 
  • Median Age: 40 years old 
  • Median Annual Household Income: $60,000 
  • Education: 50 percent college graduate 
  • Household: 55 percent married

MARKET ADVANTAGES
Jeep® Compass brings the Jeep brand cachet to the crowded compact SUV class with all-new Jeep 4x4 technology called Freedom Drive I™. This full-time, active 4x4 system has a lock feature, which provides confidence for all-weather driving conditions, as well as for driving on loose-traction surfaces.

Jeep Compass offers a high level of standard safety features, including: 

  • Side-curtain air bags 
  • ESP
  • Brake Assist 
  • ERM 
  • ABS with rough-road detection 
  • Brake Traction Control

Jeep Compass offers many innovative interior features and flexibility not available on compact SUVs in its price class, including: 

  • Standard side-curtain air bags 
  • Flexible 60/40 split, fold-flat rear seats with available recline feature 
  • Available front-passenger seat that folds forward to create a table-like surface for versatility 
  • Available 115-volt power outlet in the center console that can power small electronics 
  • Removable carpeted load floor 
  • An available dual-purpose, self-recharging removable LED interior lamp mounted in the headliner above the cargo area that can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight 
  • Stain Repel Seat Fabric 
  • An available Sun and Sound Group (which includes sunroof, uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer and two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities) 
  • Available uconnect gps 
  • Illuminated LED cup holders

PRODUCT CHRONOLOGY

2008 MODEL YEAR 

  • Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat replaces Black Clear Coat 
  • Surf Blue Pearl Coat replaces Marine Blue Pearl Coat 
  • Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat added 
  • Air conditioning standard on all models 
  • New Dark Slate Gray interior 
  • Chrome lock knobs on all models 
  • Interior chrome door handles on all models 
  • Chrome accent ring on radio knobs on all models 
  • Standard luxury carpeted floor mats on Jeep® Compass Sport with the Special Equipment Group “E” and Limited models 
  • TPM warning lamp now standard on all models 
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio increases coverage to deliver more than 130 channels of radio programming 
  • Navigation system available on Limited model 
  • Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT2) now equipped with Auto Stick 
  • Engine and transaxle calibrations further refined for improved drivability and reduced powertrain noise 
  • Jeep Compass Sport with Special Equipment Group “E” features: Standard YES Essentials® stain-resistant, odor resistant, anti-static seat fabric 
  • Standard carpeted floor mats 
  • Standard speed control 
  • Available Security and Convenience Group (which includes auto-dimming rearview mirror, compass gauge, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, TPM system, EVIC, soft tonneau cover and security alarm) 
  • Available Premium Sound Group now includes SIRIUS Satellite Radio 
  • Available Trailer Tow Prep Group now includes full-size spare tire 

Jeep Compass Limited features: 

  • Standard Driver’s Convenience Group (which includes auto-dimming rearview mirror, EVIC, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and TPM display) 
  • Available Security and Convenience Group now includes UConnect® hands-free communication system 
  • Available Premium Sound Group now includes SIRIUS Satellite Radio

2007 MODEL YEAR 

  • All new for 2007 model year 
  • 2007 model year production start: May 2006

Contact Information

Beth Ann Bayus
Office: (248) 512-0350
Cell: (248) 761-5588
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