The 2023 Jeep Compass stands out in the competitive compact SUV market, not only for its adventurous spirit and off-road capabilities but also for its commitment to safety. For prospective buyers and safety-conscious drivers, understanding vehicle safety ratings is paramount. This article delves into the comprehensive safety evaluations of the 2023 Jeep Compass, drawing from rigorous testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We break down the performance of this vehicle in various crash scenarios and safety feature assessments, providing a detailed look at why the 2023 Jeep Compass is considered a safe choice for you and your family.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation for the 2023 Jeep Compass
The small overlap frontal crash test represents a challenging real-world scenario where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object. In the driver-side small overlap test, the 2023 Jeep Compass showcased robust structural integrity and occupant protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Technical measurements from this test provide further insights into the vehicle’s performance:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 6 |
| Footrest | 6 |
| Left toepan | 3 |
| Brake pedal | 1 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 8 |
| Upper dash | 10 |
| Lower instrument panel | 6 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 137 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 15 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 1.5 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 1.4 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 4 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 5 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.52 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.51 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 2.6 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 0.8 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 100 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 80 |
These measurements indicate a strong performance in mitigating driver injury risks during a small overlap frontal crash.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Safety is not just for the driver; passenger protection is equally crucial. The passenger-side small overlap frontal test assesses how well the vehicle protects front-seat passengers in a similar crash scenario. The 2023 Jeep Compass once again earned a “Good” overall rating in this demanding evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Detailed technical measurements for the passenger side test are as follows:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 8 |
| Footrest | 8 |
| Right toepan | 4 |
| Center toepan | 2 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 |
| Center dash | 5 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 11 |
| Upper dash | 8 |
| Right lower dash | 8 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 208 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 18 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.31 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 19 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 0.4 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 3.5 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 4 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.27 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.33 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 1.4 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.3 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 60 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 39 |
Driver Injury Measures (Passenger Side Test)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 130 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 31 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 1.0 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.7 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 5 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.55 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.46 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 0.9 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 1.1 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 78 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 68 |
The 2023 Jeep Compass demonstrates consistent protection for both driver and passenger in small overlap frontal crashes.
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original Evaluation for the 2023 Jeep Compass
The moderate overlap frontal test, a more traditional assessment, involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front impacting a barrier. The 2023 Jeep Compass excelled in this test, securing a “Good” overall rating, indicating effective energy absorption and occupant protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | Good |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good |
Key technical measurements from the moderate overlap frontal test include:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion – Footrest | 2 |
| Footwell intrusion – Left | 4 |
| Footwell intrusion – Center | 6 |
| Footwell intrusion – Right | 7 |
| Footwell intrusion – Brake pedal | 4 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Left | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Right | 0 |
| Steering column movement – Upward | -2 |
| Steering column movement – Rearward | -4 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 313 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 7 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.29 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 27 |
| Femur force – Left (kN) | 1.0 |
| Femur force – Right (kN) | 1.1 |
| Knee displacement – Left (mm) | 4 |
| Knee displacement – Right (mm) | 5 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.46 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.48 |
| Tibia axial force – Left (kN) | 2.5 |
| Tibia axial force – Right (kN) | 1.7 |
| Foot acceleration – Left (g) | 54 |
| Foot acceleration – Right (g) | 49 |
The “Good” rating and associated measurements confirm the 2023 Jeep Compass’s strong performance in a moderate overlap frontal impact.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Evaluation for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Side impacts are particularly dangerous, and the side crash test evaluates a vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in such collisions. The 2023 Jeep Compass achieved a “Good” overall rating in the side crash test, highlighting its effective side-impact protection systems.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Structure and safety cage | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | Good |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Driver head protection | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | Good |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | Good |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good |
Technical measurements from the side impact test:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -21.0 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 442 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 24 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.89 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.60 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.9 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 76 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -30 |
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 122 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 1.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.43 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.52 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 3.1 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.3 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.8 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 60 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -26 |
The “Good” rating across all injury measures for both driver and rear passenger underscores the 2023 Jeep Compass’s comprehensive side-impact safety.
Roof Strength Test for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Roof strength is critical in rollover accidents. The 2023 Jeep Compass achieved a “Good” rating in the roof strength test, indicating a robust roof structure capable of withstanding significant force.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Curb weight (lbs) | 3,429 |
| Peak force (lbs) | 16,952 |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.94 |
A strength-to-weight ratio of 4.94 signifies that the 2023 Jeep Compass’s roof can withstand nearly five times the vehicle’s weight, contributing to occupant safety in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Whiplash and neck injuries are common in rear-end collisions. The head restraints and seats of the 2023 Jeep Compass were evaluated and received a “Good” overall dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry rating, indicating effective whiplash protection.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good |
| Dynamic rating | Good |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good |
Technical measurements for head restraints and seats:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Geometry – Backset (mm) | 6 |
| Geometry – Distance below top of head (mm) | 6 |
| Seat design parameters – Pass/Fail | Pass |
| Seat design parameters – Max T1 acceleration (g) | 12.3 |
| Seat design parameters – Head contact time (ms) | 43 |
| Seat design parameters – Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces – Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Neck forces – Max neck tension (N) | 339 |
These results demonstrate that the 2023 Jeep Compass is designed to minimize neck injury risks in rear impacts.
Headlight Ratings for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Visibility at night is crucial for safety. The IIHS evaluates headlight performance across different trim levels. The 2023 Jeep Compass offers various headlight options, with the best-performing LED projector headlights earning a “Good” overall rating.
LED Projector Headlights (Available on select trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Good |
LED Reflector Headlights (Available on select trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Acceptable |
LED Reflector Headlights (Sport Trim)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Marginal |
It’s important to note that headlight performance varies by trim level, with the Premium Lighting Group package and Elite Group package offering the best “Good” rated LED projector headlights for optimal nighttime visibility in the 2023 Jeep Compass.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Pedestrian for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Active safety features play a vital role in preventing accidents. The 2023 Jeep Compass comes standard with “Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus,” which has been evaluated for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention (Original Test – 2022-23 Models)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Superior |
The system successfully avoided a collision in the 12 mph test and significantly reduced impact speed in the 25 mph test, earning a “Superior” rating in the original vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test for 2022-23 models.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention 2.0 (2023-25 Models)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Marginal |
In the updated and more stringent Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention 2.0 test, which includes passenger car, motorcycle, and semitrailer targets, the 2023-25 Jeep Compass received a “Marginal” rating. While collision avoidance was achieved in passenger car scenarios, performance varied with motorcycle and semitrailer targets.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Daytime)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Advanced |
The 2023 Jeep Compass’s pedestrian front crash prevention system earned an “Advanced” rating in daytime tests. It avoided collisions in lower-speed tests with child and adult crossing scenarios and significantly reduced impact speed in higher-speed tests and parallel adult scenarios.
Seat Belt Reminders for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Seat belt reminders are essential safety features that encourage seat belt use. The 2023 Jeep Compass has seat belt reminders for both front and second rows, but the overall rating is “Marginal” due to limitations in the second-row reminder system.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Marginal |
| Front row – Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual) | Good (Long duration, adequate volume and audio frequency) |
| Second row – Startup status alert (visual) | None |
While the front-row reminders are effective, the lack of a startup visual alert for the second row contributes to the “Marginal” overall rating.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) for the 2023 Jeep Compass
Child seat anchors (LATCH) make it easier to securely install child safety seats. The 2023 Jeep Compass received a “Marginal” rating for LATCH ease of use.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Marginal |
While the 2023 Jeep Compass has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, the “Marginal” rating indicates that some anchors are located too deep in the seat and are difficult to maneuver around, potentially complicating child seat installation.
Conclusion: 2023 Jeep Compass – A Safe and Reliable Compact SUV
Overall, the 2023 Jeep Compass demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving “Good” ratings in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. It provides solid protection in frontal, side, and rollover crashes, and offers effective head restraints and seats. Headlight performance varies by trim, with top trims offering “Good” rated LED projector headlights. While active safety features and LATCH ease of use received lower ratings, the 2023 Jeep Compass remains a safe and reliable choice in the compact SUV segment, particularly for those prioritizing crash protection. Prospective buyers should consider trim levels to optimize headlight performance and be aware of the marginal rating for LATCH system usability when installing child seats. Always prioritize safety features and understand vehicle ratings to make informed decisions for your driving needs.
