The 2023 Jeep Compass marks a significant redesign, bringing enhanced safety features and earning impressive ratings in rigorous crash tests. For prospective buyers and safety-conscious drivers, understanding these ratings is crucial. This detailed analysis delves into the safety performance of the 2023 Jeep Compass, drawing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluations to provide a comprehensive overview.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver-Side Performance
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object. This is a particularly challenging test, designed to assess how well the vehicle’s structure protects the driver in such scenarios.
Driver-Side Evaluation
The 2023 Jeep Compass achieved a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front test, the highest possible rating. This indicates robust protection for the driver in this type of severe frontal crash.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | A |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/Thigh | G |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver Restraints & Kinematics | G |
Alt text: 2023 Jeep Compass driver-side small overlap front crash test demonstrating robust structural integrity.
Technical Insights from the Driver-Side Test:
The technical measurements from the test provide deeper insights into the vehicle’s performance. Notably, occupant compartment intrusion was minimal, indicating a strong safety cage.
| Measurement Category | Metric |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max (cm) | 6 |
| Footrest (cm) | 6 |
| Left Toepan (cm) | 3 |
| Brake Pedal (cm) | 1 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average (cm) | 0 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Steering Column (cm) | 1 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max (cm) | 8 |
| Upper Dash (cm) | 10 |
| Lower Instrument Panel (cm) | 6 |
Driver Injury Measures in Detail:
The dummy sensors recorded low injury measures across all body regions, further confirming the “Good” rating.
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 137 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 15 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest Max Compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 1.5 |
| Right | 1.4 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 4 |
| Right | 5 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | |
| Left | 0.52 |
| Right | 0.51 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | |
| Left | 2.6 |
| Right | 0.8 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 100 |
| Right | 80 |
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Passenger-Side Performance
Extending the small overlap assessment to the passenger side is vital as it evaluates protection for front-seat passengers.
Passenger-Side Evaluation
Similar to the driver’s side, the 2023 Jeep Compass also earned a “Good” overall rating for passenger-side small overlap protection.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | A |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/Thigh | G |
| Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Passenger Restraints & Kinematics | G |
Alt text: 2023 Jeep Compass passenger-side small overlap front crash test, highlighting passenger safety measures.
Passenger-Side Technical Measurements:
Intrusion metrics remained well-controlled on the passenger side, ensuring passenger space is maintained during a crash.
| Measurement Category | Metric |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max (cm) | 8 |
| Footrest (cm) | 8 |
| Right Toepan (cm) | 4 |
| Center Toepan (cm) | 2 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average (cm) | 0 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Center Dash (cm) | 5 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max (cm) | 11 |
| Upper Dash (cm) | 8 |
| Right Lower Dash (cm) | 8 |
Passenger & Driver Injury Measures (Passenger-Side Test):
This test also evaluates driver injury measures in a passenger-side crash scenario, and both passenger and driver dummy readings were reassuringly low.
| Injury Measure | Passenger Measurement | Driver Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Head | ||
| HIC-15 | 208 | 130 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | ||
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 18 | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.31 | 0.23 |
| Chest Max Compression (mm) | 19 | 31 |
| Femur (kN) | ||
| Left | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| Right | 3.5 | 0.7 |
| Knee Displacement (mm) | ||
| Left | 1 | 5 |
| Right | 4 | 3 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (%) | ||
| Left | 0 | 0 |
| Right | 1 | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index | ||
| Left | 0.27 | 0.55 |
| Right | 0.33 | 0.46 |
| Tibia Axial Force (kN) | ||
| Left | 1.4 | 0.9 |
| Right | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Foot Acceleration (g) | ||
| Left | 60 | 78 |
| Right | 39 | 68 |
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original Evaluation
The moderate overlap frontal test, a long-standing IIHS evaluation, represents a significant portion of real-world frontal crashes.
Moderate Overlap Performance
The 2023 Jeep Compass demonstrated “Good” performance in the moderate overlap front test, securing top marks across all evaluation criteria.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver Restraints & Kinematics | G |
Alt text: 2023 Jeep Compass moderate overlap front crash test, showing excellent overall structural integrity.
Technical Data from Moderate Overlap Test:
Minimal footwell intrusion and controlled steering column movement are indicative of effective energy absorption and occupant protection.
| Measurement Category | Metric |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion (cm) | |
| Footrest | 2 |
| Left | 4 |
| Center | 6 |
| Right | 7 |
| Brake Pedal | 4 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (cm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 0 |
| Steering Column Movement (cm) | |
| Upward | -2 |
| Rearward | -4 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver Injury Metrics (Moderate Overlap):
Injury measures remained low, validating the “Good” rating and highlighting effective restraint systems.
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 313 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension Bending Moment (Nm) | 7 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.29 |
| Chest Max Compression (mm) | 27 |
| Legs | |
| 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 (g) | |
| Left | 54 |
| Right | 49 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Evaluation
Side impacts are another significant real-world crash type, and the 2023 Jeep Compass underwent the IIHS side impact test.
Side Impact Performance
The 2023 Jeep Compass achieved a “Good” rating in the side impact test, demonstrating strong occupant protection in side collisions.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Structure and Safety Cage | G |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver Head Protection | G |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | G |
Alt text: 2023 Jeep Compass side impact crash test, showcasing comprehensive side-impact safety.
Technical Details from Side Impact Test:
Minimal B-pillar intrusion indicates the vehicle’s structure effectively resists side impact forces.
| Measurement Category | Metric |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -21.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate crush stopped short of seat centerline |
Driver & Passenger Injury Measures (Side Impact):
Low injury measures for both front and rear occupants confirm excellent side impact protection.
| Injury Measure | Driver Measurement | Passenger Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 442 | 122 |
| Neck | ||
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 | 0.1 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 | 1.3 |
| Shoulder | ||
| Lateral Deflection (mm) | 24 | 37 |
| Lateral Force (kN) | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| Torso | ||
| Maximum Deflection (mm) | 37 | 33 |
| Average Deflection (mm) | 33 | 27 |
| Maximum Deflection Rate (m/s) | 3.89 | 3.43 |
| Maximum Viscous Criterion (m/s) | 0.60 | 0.52 |
| Pelvis | ||
| Iliac Force (kN) | 1.6 | 0.5 |
| Acetabulum Force (kN) | 1.4 | 3.1 |
| Combined Force (kN) | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| Left Femur | ||
| L-M Force (kN) | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| L-M Moment (Nm) | 76 | 60 |
| A-P Moment (Nm) | -30 | -26 |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is crucial for rollover protection, and the IIHS roof strength test evaluates a vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in such events.
Roof Strength Performance
The 2023 Jeep Compass achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.94, significantly exceeding the minimum requirement.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Curb Weight | 3,429 lbs |
| Peak Force | 16,952 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 4.94 |
Alt text: 2023 Jeep Compass roof strength test, demonstrating a high strength-to-weight ratio for rollover protection.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats play a vital role in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
The 2023 Jeep Compass earned a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats, both in dynamic testing and geometric evaluation.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | G |
| Dynamic Rating | G |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | G |
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats:
The measurements confirm effective head restraint geometry and low neck forces during simulated rear impacts.
| Measurement Category | Metric |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 6 |
| Distance Below Top of Head (mm) | 6 |
| Seat Design Parameters | |
| Pass/Fail | Pass |
| Max T1 Acceleration (g) | 12.3 |
| Head Contact Time (ms) | 43 |
| Force Rating | 1 |
| Neck Forces | |
| Max Neck Shear Force (N) | 0 |
| Max Neck Tension (N) | 339 |
Headlight Ratings
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. The IIHS evaluates headlight effectiveness in various scenarios.
Headlight Performance Variations
The 2023 Jeep Compass offers different headlight variations, with ratings ranging from “Good” to “Marginal.”
1. LED Projector Headlights (Good Rating):
Equipped on higher trims with specific packages (Latitude Lux, Limited, Trailhawk), these LED projector headlights earned a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| High-beam Headlight Type | LED Projector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-beam Assist? | Yes |
| Overall Rating | G |
Alt text: Headlight performance chart for 2023 Jeep Compass LED projector headlights showing good visibility range.
2. LED Reflector Headlights with High-Beam Assist (Acceptable Rating):
Standard on Latitude, Latitude Lux, Limited, and Trailhawk trims, these LED reflector headlights with high-beam assist achieve an “Acceptable” rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam Headlight Type | LED Reflector |
| High-beam Headlight Type | LED Reflector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-beam Assist? | Yes |
| Overall Rating | A |
Alt text: Headlight performance chart for 2023 Jeep Compass LED reflector headlights with high-beam assist, indicating acceptable visibility.
3. LED Reflector Headlights (Marginal Rating):
Found on the Sport trim, these LED reflector headlights without high-beam assist received a “Marginal” rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam Headlight Type | LED Reflector |
| High-beam Headlight Type | LED Reflector |
| Curve-Adaptive? | No |
| High-beam Assist? | No |
| Overall Rating | M |
Alt text: Headlight performance chart for 2023 Jeep Compass LED reflector headlights on Sport trim, showing marginal performance.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
Forward collision prevention systems are increasingly important safety features. The 2023 Jeep Compass is equipped with “Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus” as standard.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
The 2023 Jeep Compass initially received a “Superior” rating under the original vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test for 2022-23 models.
Original Test (Superior Rating):
- Avoided collision in 12 mph test.
- Speed reduced by 21 mph in 25 mph test.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle 2.0 Test (Marginal Rating for 2023-25 Models):
Under the updated, more rigorous Vehicle-to-Vehicle 2.0 test, applying to all 2023-25 models, the rating is “Marginal”. This updated test includes scenarios with motorcycles and semi-trailers, and higher speeds.
| Target Type | 31 mph Speed Reduction | 37 mph Speed Reduction | 43 mph Speed Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Car | Collision Avoided | Collision Avoided | 38 mph |
| Motorcycle | 22 mph | 28 mph | 21 mph |
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Daytime)
The 2023 Jeep Compass earns an “Advanced” rating for daytime pedestrian front crash prevention, demonstrating effective performance in avoiding or mitigating collisions with pedestrians.
| Scenario | 12 mph Test | 25 mph Test |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Child | Collision Avoided | 12 mph Speed Reduction |
| Crossing Adult | Collision Avoided | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult | Collision Avoided (25 mph) | 22 mph Speed Reduction (37 mph) |
Seat Belt Reminders
Seat belt reminders are crucial for increasing seat belt use.
Seat Belt Reminder Evaluation
The 2023 Jeep Compass received a “Marginal” rating for seat belt reminders. While the front row reminder meets duration and volume standards, there’s no startup status alert for the second row.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | M |
| Front Row | |
| Unbelted Occupant Alert | |
| Initiation Time | |
| Duration | Long Enough |
| Volume | |
| Audio Frequency | |
| Second Row | |
| Startup Status Alert | None |
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease and improve the safety of child seat installation.
LATCH System Evaluation
The 2023 Jeep Compass received a “Marginal” rating for child seat anchors. It has LATCH hardware in two rear seating positions with an additional position with a tether anchor and borrowed lower anchors. However, lower anchors are noted as being too deep in the seat and difficult to maneuver around.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | M |
Conclusion: 2023 Jeep Compass – A Safe Choice
The 2023 Jeep Compass demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving “Good” ratings in most IIHS crashworthiness evaluations. While headlight ratings and front crash prevention (vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0) vary by trim and system, and seat belt reminders and LATCH access are rated “Marginal,” the Compass provides overall robust safety performance. For buyers prioritizing safety, the 2023 Jeep Compass is a commendable option, particularly when equipped with the LED projector headlights and considering its strong crash test performance. It’s essential to consider trim levels and specific safety feature packages to align with individual safety needs and preferences.
