http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle ... 10590.html

"If the price of gas stays as high as it is, fuel economy may be right near the top of the priority list for many considering the Compass. Whichever transmission you opt for, it's right on par with, if not better than, the compact-SUV competition. With 4WD, the Compass gets 25 city, 29 highway with the five-speed and 23/26 with the CVT. According to the trip computer, we saw about 24 on a steady-speed highway stretch with the CVT.".

23/26 with the CVT autotrans? NOT impressive. Especially when you consider that the CRDs will easily match or beat the EPA highway figure (indeed, the CRDs are rated at the same mileage).

Plus, there's the whole offroad capability thing too, along with the 5000 pound tow rating

I may get flamed for saying this, but Subaru and Toyota make far better AWD crossover wagons than the Jeep Compass.

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The folks: 2006 Liberty CRD Limited, Lt. Khaki (picked up 7/21/06 w/ 300 miles). Rotella 5W-40.

And: 1995 Grand Cherokee 4.0 Laredo, Silver, Selec-Trac, custom free-flow exhaust by local shop.

Me: 1998 Subaru Outback AWD, 2.5 DOHC, 5-speed manual. Nearly 170k miles & runs awesome.

In the crossover segment the new 268HP Rav 4 gets 28mpg on the highway, and it shifts
very smooth, but considerable less metal, and beef.

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2005 Silver Limited CRD 53,000 miles
GDE EcoTune / Trans tune
PML Differential Cover/Crankcase Mod
Tal & Hadas Grill Guard/TransGo Shift Kit
V-6 AirBox/Lunar Boost & EGT
Lund Cold Weather Grill Insert
OEM updated Filter Head, Cummins Lift Pump

Compass AWD CRD ( Turbo Diesel ) w/ Airbag Adjustable Suspension ... need I say more ...

_________________
Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

Now that would probably return 33-37 mpg on the highway, and its redeeming factor would be kicking the snot out of any other AWD crossover wagon on the market. Ground clearance would be solved too.

_________________
The folks: 2006 Liberty CRD Limited, Lt. Khaki (picked up 7/21/06 w/ 300 miles). Rotella 5W-40.

And: 1995 Grand Cherokee 4.0 Laredo, Silver, Selec-Trac, custom free-flow exhaust by local shop.

Me: 1998 Subaru Outback AWD, 2.5 DOHC, 5-speed manual. Nearly 170k miles & runs awesome.