Does Jeep Compass Have 3rd Row Seating? (Let’s Dig in)

The extra seating spaces of third-row seating options are a big bonus to car owners with extra passengers to carry.

Vehicles with this additional row of seats can carry up to nine persons, unlike five in the regular two-row vehicles. 

However, three rows of seats only come in a few models of station wagons, SUVs, and minivans. Jeep also offers this feature in some of its vehicles but is it available in the Compass model? 

Traditionally, Jeep Compass comes equipped with two rows of seats across all its generations. However, the Compass does not have third-row seating Jeep equips its vehicles with only two rows of seats to maintain their balance and off-roading capabilities. The only exceptions to this are the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2022 Wagoneer models and a few Jeep Compass offshoots.

Do Jeep Compasses Have 3rd Row Seating?

The Jeep Compass, by standards, is a two-row SUV without the third-row seating option in any of its generations.

This feature is not surprising since almost all Jeep models except the Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer all come with two rows.

The reasons for the compliance with the two-row seating options are quite obvious.

Jeep vehicles are designed to work off-road as much as on-road and even more in extreme cases. For optimal off-roading performances, they remain as light as possible.

The inclusion of an extra row of seats implies additional weight and, as such, a hindrance to their capabilities.

Furthermore, the versatility of Jeep models is a level above that of other vehicles. Their cargo areas ought to carry many loads, even parts like doors and tops occasionally.

However, an extra row of seats will rid them of cargo space, reducing how much load they can carry.

Aside from the Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer models, the Jeep Commander is the only other Jeep vehicle with third-row seating options. Read more to know Does Jeep Renegade Have 3-Row Seating?

This new model is a spin-off from the Jeep Compass and is still in its testing stages.

However, bearing many similarities to the Compass, it may be the reason for the misconception of third-row seating in Compasses.

The Jeep Commander’s design is based on the second-generation Compass and debuted in Brazil in August 2021.

The Commander would be introduced to India in June 2022 with another name; Jeep Meridian.

While the Jeep Commander is built on the same design as the Compass, there are still differences.

Of course, one of these differences and the most obvious are the sizes and the number of seating spaces.

The Jeep Commander is bigger and has three rows of seats compared to the two rows of the smaller Compass.

With the emergence of this vehicle, you can now enjoy the Compass features with the additional seating space unavailable in the Compass.

However, before you jump on this possibility, you should be aware of the pros and cons of a three-row vehicle.

#1. Pros of Third-Row Seating

• More Seating Space – the third row of seats in vehicles means more space and additional seats in such vehicles. It is a huge relief to people with larger families, especially to whom the regular five-seat option is not too convenient. The extra two or three seating spaces can help in such cases.

#2. Cons of Third-Row Seating

While the extra seating space with the three-row is exhilarating, it is not devoid of consequences.

The following are the cons of the third-row seating options in vehicles:

• Cost – vehicles with three rows of seats are often more expensive than those with two rows. Naturally, this is so because the additional equipment requires extra cost.

• Bad Fuel Economy – Vehicles with three rows of seats are heavier than those with two because they are larger. Fuel efficiency will be minimal because of the extra weight and will worsen with more passengers in the extra spaces.

• Maneuverability Problems – Larger vehicles imply less maneuverability. It will be difficult or impossible to park or turn in smaller spaces where smaller vehicles can easily do so. That is probably why most Jeeps don’t have three rows of seats.

• Loss of Cargo Space – In some vehicles with three rows of seats, cargo spaces are taken up by the seats. Therefore, this seat-row reduces the cargo-carrying capacity of these vehicles.

Despite the consequences of having an extra row of seats in vehicles, it is still beneficial to people who need it.

Some of these demerits, like cargo loss, can be remedied by a few tricks. First, you have to fold the rows of seats, and you’ll have enough space for your cargo.

Is the Jeep Compass a 7-Seater?

Like other vehicles with two rows of seats, the traditional Jeep Compass is a five-seater. Fitting seven seats in two rows of seats is practically unheard of in vehicles.

Vehicles that are seven-seaters all have three rows of seats to comfortably accommodate the seats and the passengers they’re meant to carry.

So considering that the Jeep Compass has only two-row seating, you do not need to check to rightly conclude that it cannot be a seven-seater.

However, if you insist on a 7-seater, your best option would be the compass‘ counterpart, the Jeep Commander. Does Jeep Grand Cherokee Have Leather Seats? 

Conclusion

The third-row seating option in a Jeep Compass, if ever conceived, is not yet a reality. The Jeep Commander is closest to a Compass but with three rows of seats.

So if you want the specs of a Compass in a three-row Jeep SUV, then the Commander is your best bet.