While 25 MPG combined isn’t going to top any fuel economy charts, it’s a reasonable trade-off for the 2020 Jeep Compass 4WD with the 2.4L four-cylinder engine if you want Jeep’s off-road capability and the brand’s rugged image. Buyers of this configuration likely value capability over fuel efficiency. They want a compact SUV that can handle bad weather, unpaved roads, and light trails, while still being comfortable and practical for daily driving. These buyers prioritize capability and image over MPG.

city and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2020 Compass 4WD 2.4L at 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. This difference is due to the nine-speed automatic transmission. In the city, the Compass often uses lower gears in stop-and-go traffic, which uses more fuel. However, on the highway, the transmission lets the engine run at a lower RPM, increasing efficiency. The 30 MPG highway figure is good for a small SUV with all-wheel drive, though it can’t compete with hybrids.

annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Jeep Compass 4WD 2.4L will be $1,750. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 45% in the city and 55% on the highway, using national average fuel prices. This is a good way to compare running costs of different vehicles, but your fuel costs may be different depending on your driving, local gas prices, and the type of fuel you use.

real-world expectations

Official EPA estimates are a standard, but real-world fuel economy can change depending on how you drive, traffic, and even tire pressure. Owners of the 2020 Compass 4WD 2.4L often report numbers close to the EPA estimates. If you accelerate quickly and take frequent short trips, especially in cold weather, you’ll likely get lower MPG. But if you drive consistently on the highway at moderate speeds, you might get close to or even a little better than the 30 MPG highway rating.

The Compass’s all-wheel-drive system helps in difficult conditions, but it adds weight and complexity, which might lower fuel economy compared to front-wheel-drive models.

how it compares

The 2020 Compass’s fuel economy is in the middle of the compact SUV class. A Honda CR-V with all-wheel drive gets a combined 29 MPG, making it more fuel-efficient. A Toyota RAV4 with all-wheel drive gets a combined 30 MPG. Even a Subaru Forester, with its standard all-wheel drive, gets 29 MPG combined in most trims. While these competitors have better fuel economy, they might not have the Jeep’s off-road abilities or aggressive styling, which are important to many Compass buyers. If you want a Jeep but fuel efficiency is important, look at all Jeep fuel economy data to see if other models or trims are better for you. For direct comparisons, see the COMPASS MPG across all years to see how efficiency has changed.

tips to maximize efficiency

Keep the correct tire pressure. The right pressure, on a sticker inside the driver’s side door, reduces rolling resistance and increases fuel economy. Underinflated tires cause more friction, making the engine work harder and use more fuel.

Avoid fast acceleration and hard braking, which use much more fuel. Accelerate smoothly and gradually, and predict traffic to reduce braking. Cruise control on the highway also helps keep a consistent speed and increases fuel efficiency.

Reduce weight. Extra weight in the vehicle increases fuel consumption. Remove unnecessary items from the car to reduce the load on the engine.

Minimize idling. Letting the engine idle for too long wastes fuel. If you’ll be stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine.

Use the Compass’s nine-speed automatic transmission. Its many gears keep the engine in its best RPM range, especially on the highway. When driving at higher speeds, make sure overdrive is on to increase fuel efficiency.