How much does the 2016 Jeep Compass cost?

Prices have softened 8.58% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 974 listings available, you have a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $7,995.74, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass a good car?

The 2016 Jeep Compass is a mixed but workable choice if you want a value-focused compact crossover and can live with its age. It earns 3.8/5 from owners and 6.5/10 from experts.

The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 8/10.

Owners repeatedly point to the roomy interior, comfort, good fuel economy, and overall value. The Compass also fits buyers who want the basics of a small SUV without paying for a newer design, and the overview frames it as a discount option in a market where crossover prices keep climbing.

Only 26.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is selective even if the model itself is affordable.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass reliable?

The 2016 Jeep Compass is best approached as a used buy where condition matters more than optimism. Owners describe it as a great value with a roomy cabin and good fuel economy, and they also mention it as something they can count on for everyday use.

Expert commentary also emphasizes that the Compass has been improved into a competent vehicle, even if it still shows its age. The cost-effectiveness discussion reinforces that it can be a bargain option, and the maintenance-friendly ownership angle helps if you want a lower-cost crossover to keep on the road.

That said, some owners report engine and transmission problems from certain dealerships, so long-term ownership risk is higher if you skip a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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

At 58.2% 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 hands-on inspection of bodywork, alignment, and signs of prior repair. Because the Compass is an older design, condition and maintenance history matter more than mileage alone. Pay extra attention to how the drivetrain feels on a test drive, especially if you’re comparing multiple examples.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport is effectively the base trim and comes 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. The 75th Anniversary Edition builds on the Sport with remote engine start and a power moonroof, 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. The High Altitude adds bright-side roof rails, 17-inch Granite painted wheels, and a 6-way power driver’s seat.
• Powertrain: You can choose 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 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. The smaller engine pairs with a 5-speed manual or CVT, while the larger engine also offers a 6-speed automatic on AWD models. The 6-speed automatic is described as the best option for smooth shifts and decent acceleration.
• 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. It lacks advanced driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance, and the backup camera is available rather than standard.
• Infotainment: The Compass uses the dated Radio 430 Uconnect system with a touchscreen, Bluetooth streaming for hands-free calling, a USB port, and an auxiliary audio input jack. The system has dated graphics and a clunky layout, but the buttons are large and the fonts are easy to read.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.4-liter AWD model with the 6-speed automatic is estimated at 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. The CVT with full-time AWD is rated at 20 city, 23 highway, and 21 combined. The best figure is the 2.0-liter FWD manual at 23 city, 30 highway, and 26 combined.

Which 2016 Jeep Compass trim should I buy?

The 2016 Jeep Compass is offered in 5 trim levels: Sport, Sport SE, 75th Anniversary Edition, Latitude, High Altitude.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point and the value play if you want the lowest-cost way into the Compass. It brings the basics, including Bluetooth hands-free calling, and works if you mainly care about affordability over extras.
• Sport SE: This is the better everyday pick if you want a more comfortable cabin without moving too far up the price ladder. Heated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls make it the best-value trim for many shoppers.
• 75th Anniversary Edition: This is the style-focused choice, adding remote engine start and a power moonroof on top of the Sport SE-style equipment. It suits you if you want a more distinctive look and a few convenience upgrades.
• Latitude: This is the practical step up if rear-seat flexibility and convenience matter more than appearance. The split-fold rear seat, rear power outlet, brightwork grille, and heated power-folding mirrors make it the most family-friendly middle trim.
• High Altitude: This is the most upscale trim in the lineup, with bright-side roof rails, 17-inch Granite painted wheels, and a power driver’s seat. It makes sense if you want the most polished version of this generation.

The safety content notes that the Compass lacks advanced driver-assistance features, and the backup camera is not standard.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market: the Compass is affordable, but the best examples still deserve careful comparison.

• Deal availability: 26.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 974 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.58% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 58.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $7,995.74, 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 $8,029 sits slightly below last year's $8,783.

That price movement suggests the Compass has already absorbed some of its depreciation, which can help if you buy at the right number. For a future seller, the softer market means you should expect value to remain tied closely to condition, mileage, and trim rather than to broad demand. Well-kept examples should be easier to move than rough ones, but you should still plan for modest resale upside rather than a strong return.

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 rated it three-star for frontal crashes and four-star 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 does not offer the advanced safety gear that became common in newer crossovers, and blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision avoidance are not part of the package. The backup camera is available, not standard.

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:

• 26.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 58.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Prices have softened 8.58% compared with last year.
• It improves on earlier Compass efforts while still offering discount-friendly value.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $11,264, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $8,029 average.
• The all-new Compass brings legitimate off-road capability and a more modern design.

The bottom line: If you want the lowest entry price and can accept an older, less refined crossover, the 2016 is the value play. If you want a newer Compass with a more modern mission and are willing to spend more, the 2017 is the better long-term direction.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.