The Jeep Compass (MK49) is a compact crossover SUV introduced for the 2007 model year. The Jeep Compass, along with the Patriot both slot below the Jeep Wrangler as Jeep’s entry-level sport utility vehicles, and is one of Jeep’s first crossover SUVs.
The Compass does not carry the “Trail Rated” badge found on other SUVs in the Jeep family. This indicates that the Compass targets first-time Jeep buyers and those who drive primarily on paved roads. Traditional Jeep vehicles, in contrast, have a reputation for off-road prowess, and some trace their origins to vehicles once used in ground operations by American troops.
The Compass and Patriot are both based on the DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi GS platform. These vehicles are differentiated by their styling and marketing: The Patriot is a traditionally styled 4-door Jeep wagon, while the Compass shares a more in-town hatchback look, similar in terms to the Dodge Caliber.
From Wikipedia