The second-generation Compass debuted in September 2016 in Brazil and at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November 2016, sharing a modified platform with the Renegade.

Four years prior to the introduction of the production Jeep Compass, a concept vehicle with the same name had its world premiere in Detroit at the 2002 North American International Auto Show.

Jeep debuted the production version of the Compass at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January.

The 2011 Jeep Compass also received a revised suspension for better handling, a revised interior with more standard equipment, and more option packages including a Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package which includes a continuously variable transmission fitted with a low-range setting, all-terrain tires inside 17-inch aluminum wheels, skid plates, a four-wheel-drive system, and an increase ground clearance of a full inch.

A 2.0 L l-R4 TDi 103 kW (138 hp; 140 PS) Volkswagen-designed diesel engine was available for the European and Australian markets, replaced in 2011 by the 2.2 L Mercedes-Benz OM651.

[10] The Trail Rated version of the Compass has passed the same testing of off-road ability as other Jeep vehicles in terms of traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording.

Features such as power windows and door locks, a seven-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a 368-watt external amplifier, and air conditioning are options.

An EVIC gives the user information such as gas mileage, number of miles to empty, service intervals, tire pressure, etc.

It added features onto the Sport, such as air conditioning, keyless entry, a security system, and power windows and door locks.

This option comes with an alarm, tonneau cover, tire pressure monitoring display, garage door opener, and an electronic vehicle information center.

It added air conditioning, unique leather-trimmed seats, unique alloy wheels, a sunroof, side-impact airbags, a seven-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a 368-watt external amplifier, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, and a security alarm.

It was based upon the Latitude model and added black-painted alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seats, a sunroof, and a Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a 368-watt external amplifier.

Using a stretched version of the same platform as the Renegade,[21] the Compass is available in four distinct trim levels: the base Sport, the mid-level Latitude, the higher-end Limited, and the off-road-focused Trailhawk.

Styling elements taken from the Grand Cherokee include headlamps integrated into the front grille and a narrow front grille with a black finish, while the Cherokee lends some of its rear end styling elements, basic interior design, and 2.4 L Tigershark inline four-cylinder (I4) gasoline engine and ZF-sourced nine-speed 948TE automatic transmission to the overall design of the Compass.

In Brazil, the second-generation Jeep Compass start production the 26 September 2016 at FCA new Goiana, Pernambuco Assembly Plant (designation: M1/551).

[27][28] Stellantis's Brampton Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, is to be retooled for the next-generation Compass, with production commencing in the fourth quarter of 2025.

[29][30] Stellantis is planning a US$970 million (1.32 billion Canadian-dollar) investment so that Brampton can build cars with internal combustion engines as well as battery-electric vehicles.

[34] In 2020, a facelift for the model was first launched in China, with slight visual changes to the exterior of the vehicle, and a completely redesigned interior.

An 80th Anniversary Edition version of the Latitude trim level, that adds unique exterior accents and a few extra features, was made available for the 2021 model year.