Jeep Compass, Renegade

Jeep Compass, Renegade leans into compact SUVs that are meant for city use first and rougher roads second. By our assessment, what makes them work is the familiar Jeep mix of higher seating position, easy everyday utility, and enough visual and mechanical toughness to feel different from plain crossovers. The cost of that shape is usually in cabin space and efficiency, because small SUVs trade some refinement and room for the upright stance. In practice they are simple to live with, easy to climb into, and comfortable for people who like a more upright driving position. They sit below larger Jeep models and above soft city hatchbacks in attitude, with the Compass usually the more conventional family choice and the Renegade the boxier, more characterful one. Jeep Compass, Renegade is a crossover pair for everyday roads with a little extra patience for bad surfaces.