Jeep sells a lot of 4x4s — as in SUVs with four-wheel drive. It also sells some that look like 4x4s but are more like the crossovers everyone else sells a lot of.

One of these models also offers more than just looks: the Jeep Compass.

Rather, it can do things that most crossovers cannot, because it has a few things functionally in common with the 4x4s it looks a lot like.

What It Is

The Compass is a compact crossover that can be ordered with a gear-reduction feature (in Trailhawk versions) that uses the transmission to provide low-speed leverage for slogging through deep snow, mud and so on that's similar to what you'd get from a 4x4's two-speed transfer case and 4WD low-range gearing.

Also included with the Trailhawk is a lifted suspension, more ground clearance, all-terrain tires, tow hooks and the capability to ford 20 inches of water.

Prices start at $28,400 for the Sport trim. Like most crossovers, this one comes standard with a light-duty all-wheel-drive system. It also comes with a new, and stronger, standard engine.

The top-of-the-line Trailhawk version already mentioned stickers for $35,745.

What's New For 2023

The big news is a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine for all Compass trims, including the base Sport.

What's Good

Additional (available) off-pavement and poor-weather capability.

More standard power.

Appetite's about the same as it was before.

What's Not So Good

No more available manual transmission.

Significant increase (about $1,600) in the standard price from last year.

The turbo-diesel engine Jeep offers in Europe and other markets isn't available here.

Under The Hood

Every Compass comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower — an uptick of 23 from the 177 produced by the previously standard 2.4-liter engine (which did not have a turbo). There is also much more torque — and it's delivered much sooner. The new engine develops 221 foot-pounds at just 1,750 rpm versus 172 foot-pounds at 3,900 rpm previously.

Surprisingly, the city/highway mileage of the '23 Compass with the 2.0-liter engine (and the standard eight-speed automatic transmission that it's paired with) is about the same as delivered by the '22 Compass with the 2.4-liter engine. The '23 rates 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway while the '22 rated 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway.

With the new engine, the Compass can get to 60 in about 7.7 seconds — a seat-of-the-pants noticeable uptick from last year's 2.4-liter-equipped model, which needed nine seconds to make the same run.

AWD is now standard, as per above, which isn't uncommon in the crossover class. What is uncommon is the Trailhawk's gear-reduction feature, which provides additional low-speed leverage (a 20:1 crawl ratio) when engaged. Trailhawks also get a more aggressive 4.398 final drive ratio (3.73 is otherwise standard). This gives the little Compass rock-crawling and mud-slogging capabilities comparable to a 4x4 SUV such as the Wrangler, for instance.

This small Jeep can also pull up to 2,000 pounds.

On The Road

Speed is, in fact, a question of money.

You'll pay $1,615 more to get into a base-trim Compass Sport this year than last, but you'll get where you're pointed more quickly. The zero to 60 thing isn't so much the point as being able to build up speed quickly enough to comfortably merge with traffic going faster than you are — and to have the power available to pass traffic going slower.

The Compass is not "fast." But it is no longer slow.

Another appealing thing about the Compass is that its transmission is not a CVT (continuously variable), a type of transmission that is very common in the class. CVTs have their merits — the chief one being they shift seamlessly, because they do not shift at all. Instead, they vary the range continuously, which is an efficiency advantage. CVT-equipped vehicles typically get about three or so more miles per gallon than an otherwise identical vehicle with a conventional automatic.

But CVTs can be noisy, and some buyers do not like the "shiftless" feel.

At The Curb

The Compass looks more like the 4x4s it emulates, right down to the "4x4" badges on its liftgate. This, in addition to the functional separation, puts some visual separation between it and the run-of-the-mill crossovers in the class.

Something else this Jeep has in common with the 4x4s it emulates is a bit less cargo room than some of the other crossovers in the class: 27.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.8 cubic feet with the second row down. Volkswagen's Taos, which is about the same size as the Compass, has 65.9 cubic feet of total cargo capacity. On the other hand, the slightly larger Honda HR-V only has 55.1 cubic feet of capacity with the second row down — and neither of these two offer the notched-up capability you can get in the Jeep.

Toyota's RAV4 does offer notched-up capability (if you buy the TRD version), but it costs about $2,000 more ($37,595) than a Compass Trailhawk and it looks like the crossover it is. The Wilderness version of the Subaru Forester is similar. It costs less ($34,320) than the Compass Trailhawk, but it still looks like the crossover it is.

The Rest

One thing that's missing (besides the formerly available manual transmission) is a pull-up/manual emergency brake lever, a functionally helpful thing to have off-roading because you can use it to control the rear wheels. Electrically activated parking brakes don't allow that.

The Bottom Line

Though not really a 4x4, the Compass isn't just another crossover, either.

View the Jeep Compass this week.

Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

View the Jeep Compass this week.