“If you want to vehicle that has great 4 x 4 capability and is an excellent value to the marketplace the jeep compass is something to consider.”
2020 Jeep Compass: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2020 Jeep Compass is a light trim-update year, not a redesign. Its biggest change is the new winter-focused North Edition with standard 4x4 and cold-weather comfort equipment.
About the 2020 Jeep Compass
2nd generation Compass (2017-2021 pre-refresh), fourth model year before the bigger 2022 update.
The 2020 Compass is Jeep’s compact SUV for shoppers who want everyday size and price with more real all-weather and off-pavement ability than most small crossovers offer. Jeep sells it as a city-friendly SUV with authentic Jeep styling, useful tech, and available 4x4 systems that go beyond the light-duty setups common in rivals. For most buyers, the draw is that it looks and feels like a Jeep without moving up to the larger Cherokee or Wrangler.
The 2020 Compass ranges from the straightforward Sport and mainstream Latitude to the more comfort-focused Limited. The new North Edition pairs standard 4x4 with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and an 8.4-inch navigation touchscreen. Trailhawk remains the trail-focused model with extra ground clearance, skid plates, and low-speed off-road control, while High Altitude emphasizes leather, upgraded lighting, navigation, and premium audio.
What changed, by category
Styling
The new Sun & Wheel trim adds a panoramic roof and unique 17-inch wheels. High Altitude receives black leather seats with Tungsten-color stitching, a black headliner, and revised interior accents.
Safety
The new Sun & Safety trim bundles adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic braking, lane-keeping support, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Sport also gains access to a package with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping support.
Tech
Touchscreens become standard rather than optional on Altitude and Latitude. Alpine premium audio replaces the previous Beats system on High Altitude and becomes newly offered on select upper trims, while smartphone integration shifts from standard to optional on Limited.
2020 Jeep Compass specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, 2.4 Liter / 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter / 4-Cyl, MultiAir, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, MultiAir, PZEV, 2.4 Liter |
| Transmission | Manual, 6-Spd / Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd / Manual, 6-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd | Automatic, 9-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD / 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | FWD | 4WD | FWD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22–23 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22–23 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30–32 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31–32 mpg | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | 30 mpg | 31 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 180 hp | |||||||
| Torque | 175 lb-ft | 175 lb-ft | |||||||
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | |||
| Trunk/Cargo | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft | 59.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in | 38.3 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||
| Automatic Headlights | |||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||
| HID Headlights | |||||||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||||
| Privacy Glass | |||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||
| Tow Hooks | |||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | |||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||
| USB Ports | |||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2020 Jeep Compass?
The biggest change is the new North Edition. It is a winter-focused model with standard 4x4, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and an 8.4-inch navigation touchscreen.
Which Jeep Compass trims were added or dropped for 2020?
The North Edition, Sun & Safety, and Sun & Wheel trims join the Compass lineup for 2020, while the Upland trim is dropped. North Edition focuses on winter driving, Sun & Safety bundles a panoramic roof with driver-assistance features, and Sun & Wheel combines the panoramic roof with appearance upgrades.
Did the 2020 Jeep Compass get a new engine or four-wheel-drive system?
No, the 2020 Compass keeps the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and existing front-wheel-drive and 4x4 layouts. Trailhawk also retains its off-road suspension, skid plates, extra ground clearance, and low-speed 4x4 system.
Did the 2020 Jeep Compass get more standard safety technology?
No new driver-assistance suite became standard across the entire 2020 Compass lineup. However, the base Sport gains access to adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping support, and the new Sun & Safety trim bundles those features with blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors.
Is the 2020 Jeep Compass a major upgrade over the 2019 model?
No, the 2020 Compass is a modest trim and equipment update rather than a major upgrade. It keeps the same basic body, engine, and core 4x4 hardware while adding three trims, dropping Upland, and expanding selected comfort, safety, and audio features.
2020 Jeep Compass Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Jeep Compass.
4.0
2020 Jeep Compass
(170 reviews)
“To own a Jeep is to have your vehicle become an extension of your family, we collectively all love our Jeep Compass, is a perfect family compact SUV, and it plays really nice on the snow!!! ;)”
“I'm very satisfied with my Compass. I get great gas mileage. It's easy to drive, I love the backing up screen, especially with my neck problem. The media is also great. I play my favorite music right from my phones music list.”