Redesigned for the first time in a decade, the Jeep Compass qualifies for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK award when equipped with optional front crash prevention.
The award applies to 2017 Compass models built in the 2017 calendar year. A small number of 2017 models built before January have the old design.
To earn the 2017 TOP SAFETY PICK award, a vehicle must have good ratings in all five IIHS crashworthiness tests — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints — and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
The Compass, a small SUV, earns a superior rating for its optional front crash prevention system. A Compass equipped with the system avoided collisions in the 12 mph and 25 mph IIHS track tests. The system also includes a forward collision warning system that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.
The Compass headlights fall short of the acceptable or good rating needed to qualify for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. When equipped with optional high-intensity discharge lights and high-beam assist, a feature that automatically switches between high beams and low beams depending on the presence of other vehicles, the Compass earns a marginal headlight rating. The SUV’s base halogen headlights earn a poor rating.
