How much does the 2016 Jeep Compass cost?

Prices have softened 7.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,022 listings available, you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $8,120.14, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass a good car?

It can be a sensible choice if you want value, space, and a lower entry price, though you should weigh its age and dated tech against those strengths. The user rating is 3.8/5, and the expert rating is 6.5/10.

The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 8/10.

Owners repeatedly praise the roomy interior, comfort, good fuel economy, and overall value. The Compass also fits buyers who want a practical compact SUV with everyday usefulness and a lower purchase price than many rivals.

Only 27.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market still rewards careful shopping.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass reliable?

The 2016 Jeep Compass is best viewed as a value-focused used SUV rather than a worry-free long-term bet. Owners describe it as reliable, dependable, and a vehicle they can count on, while also noting trouble-free ownership for some drivers and good long-term value.

On the road, the Compass is described as driving surprisingly well, and the 2.4-liter setup with the 6-speed automatic is presented as the best option of the available transmissions. The cost side is also helped by the model’s bargain positioning, which can make ownership easier to justify if you buy carefully.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that reported engine and transmission issues can turn a cheap purchase into an expensive one if you skip a thorough inspection.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Jeep Compass?

At 58% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the drivetrain feels smooth under acceleration and shifting. Because the Compass is an older design, condition matters more than mileage alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport is sparse, with an auxiliary audio jack, tire pressure monitoring lamp, illuminated cupholders, and Bluetooth hands-free calling. The Sport SE adds heated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, while the Latitude adds a 60/40 split/fold rear seat, rear 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, brightwork grille, and power foldaway heated side mirrors.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder with 172 hp and 165 lb-ft. The 2.4-liter with the 6-speed automatic is the best-balanced setup, while the 2.0-liter manual is the most efficient.
• Safety package: The Compass includes six multistage airbags, second-row side curtain airbags, crumple protection, and side-impact door beams. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance are not part of the standard setup, and the backup camera is available rather than standard.
• Infotainment: The base system uses a dated Radio 430 Uconnect setup with Bluetooth streaming, an auxiliary input, and a USB port. It lacks the modern feel of newer systems, though the controls are simple and easy to read.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.4-liter AWD automatic is rated at 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. The 2.4-liter CVT AWD setup returns 20 city, 23 highway, and 21 combined, while the 2.0-liter FWD manual is the most efficient at 23 city, 30 highway, and 26 combined.

Which 2016 Jeep Compass trim should I buy?

The 2016 Jeep Compass is offered in 4 trim levels: Sport, Sport SE, Latitude, High Altitude.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The Sport is the bare-bones choice, and it lacks the added comfort and convenience features found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Latitude is the best value if you want a more complete daily driver, with a split-fold rear seat, rear power outlet, upgraded exterior trim, and heated power mirrors.
• Premium/top trim: The High Altitude adds the most upscale touches, including bright-side roof rails, 17-inch Granite painted wheels, and a 6-way power driver’s seat.

The safety package is limited overall, so even higher trims do not fully close the gap with newer rivals.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Jeep Compass?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively and still find reasonable value.

• Deal availability: 27.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,022 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 58.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $8,120.14, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Jeep Compass's resale value?

The current average of $8,181 sits slightly below last year's $8,821.

That price movement suggests the Compass has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help you as a buyer today. If you plan to resell later, the lower entry price may cushion some of the loss, but the model’s older design and mixed reputation for issues can still limit future demand.

For a future seller, the best protection is buying a clean, well-documented example now. A strong condition history and a desirable trim can help you hold value better than a rougher, higher-mileage example.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass safe?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a Good score for head restraints and seats, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it three-star ratings for frontal crashes and four-star ratings for rollovers.

It earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

The Compass comes standard with six multistage airbags, second-row side curtain airbags, crumple protection, and side-impact door beams. It also has a backup camera, but that feature is available rather than standard, and newer driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance are not part of the package.

That means you should not expect modern active-safety coverage from this model year, so condition and careful driving matter more than advanced electronic aids.

Should I buy a 2016 Jeep Compass or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 27.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 58% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.25% compared with last year.
• It offers strong value with a roomy cabin and a lower purchase price than many rivals.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $11,285, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $8,181 average.
• It brings a more refined interior and a host of modern features.

The bottom line: If your priority is low purchase price and you’re willing to inspect carefully, the 2016 is the better value play. If you want a newer-feeling Compass and can stretch your budget, the 2017 is the stronger long-term pick for most buyers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.