How much does the 2016 Jeep Compass cost?

Prices have softened 9.02% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,020 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare. If you find a listing below $8,047.13, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass a good car?

With a 3.8/5 user rating and a 6.5/10 expert rating, the 2016 Jeep Compass lands in value-first territory rather than standout territory. The Compass is strongest when you want a roomy cabin, comfort, and affordability in a compact SUV package. It also fits buyers who care more about practical everyday use than cutting-edge tech or class-leading performance. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise the roomy interior, comfort, and good fuel economy. They also describe it as a great value with nice features. That lines up with the Compass’s use-case as a budget-friendly compact SUV that gives you useful space without pushing you into a higher price bracket.

Only 28.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may take some searching.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass reliable?

The 2016 Jeep Compass is best approached as a value-oriented used SUV rather than a long-term benchmark for dependability. Owners describe it as reliable and good for everyday use, and they also call out its comfortable, trouble-free feel in normal driving. The expert evaluation also notes that the Compass can still be a competent vehicle despite its age.

That said, some drivers report engine and transmission problems from certain dealerships, so a careful pre-purchase inspection matters. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that age-related wear and prior maintenance history can matter more here than on newer rivals.

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

At 58.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on body condition, panel alignment, and signs of wear that could point to harder use or deferred maintenance. Because this model year is older and value-priced, condition matters a lot more than mileage alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport is effectively the entry point and comes with an auxiliary audio jack, tire pressure monitoring lamp, illuminated cupholders, and Bluetooth hands-free calling. Sport SE adds heated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Latitude adds a 60/40 split/fold rear seat, rear 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, brightwork grille, and power foldaway heated side mirrors. High Altitude adds bright-side roof rails, 17-inch Granite painted wheels, and a 6-way power driver’s seat.
• Powertrain: The Compass offers a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque, plus a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder with 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. The smaller engine can be paired with a 5-speed manual or CVT, while the 2.4-liter can also be paired with a 6-speed automatic on AWD models. The 2.4-liter is the stronger choice, but fuel economy varies by setup.
• Safety package: The Compass comes standard with 6 multistage airbags for the driver and front passenger, second-row side curtain airbags, crumple protection, and side-impact door beams. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance are not included, and the backup camera is available rather than standard.
• Infotainment: The base setup includes an auxiliary audio input jack and Bluetooth streaming for hands-free calling. The system uses the dated Radio 430 Uconnect setup, with a clunky layout and dated graphics, though the fonts are easy to read and the buttons are large. It also has a USB port for charging and music playback.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.4-liter AWD model with the 6-speed automatic is rated at 20 mpg city, 26 highway, 23 combined. The 2.4-liter CVT with full-time AWD drops to 20 city, 23 highway, 21 combined. The best performer is the 2.0-liter FWD manual at 23 city, 30 highway, 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: Sport is the bare-bones choice, and it lacks the added comfort and convenience features found higher up the range. It does include Bluetooth hands-free calling, but the safety and tech content is still basic.
• Sweet-spot trim: Sport SE is the best value if you want more comfort without moving too far upmarket. Heated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls make it feel more complete.
• Premium/top trim: 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.
• Off-road trim: The 75th Anniversary Edition is based on the Sport and adds remote engine start and a power moonroof, but it is more of a style package than a daily-driver necessity.

The safety package is limited overall, so even higher trims do not bring the kind of advanced driver-assistance coverage you get in newer SUVs.

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: 28.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,020 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.02% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 58.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $8,047.13, 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 $8,030 sits slightly below last year's $8,826.

That price movement suggests the Compass has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in good condition, you may limit some of the downside from further age-related value loss. For a future seller, the main challenge is that this model competes on price, so resale strength will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and maintenance history.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass safe?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not perform complete testing on the Compass, stating only that it earned a Good score for head restraints and seats. 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 6 multistage airbags for the driver and front passenger, second-row side curtain airbags, crumple protection, and side-impact door beams. It also has a backup camera, but only as an available feature rather than standard equipment. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance are not included.

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:

• 28.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 58.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.02% compared with last year.
• The 2016 model offers value-focused updates and a competent, affordable compact SUV experience.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $11,158, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $8,030 average.
• It brings a more refined interior and modern features.

The bottom line: If your priority is keeping purchase price low, the 2016 is the better path. If you want a newer-feeling Compass and can stretch your budget, the 2017 is the stronger alternative. For most price-sensitive buyers, the 2016 makes more sense as long as you verify history and condition carefully.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.