In New Jersey, your teen's first drive isn't happening on some empty backroad where the biggest hazard is a stray squirrel. It's happening on Route 10 during school drop-off, in a parking lot full of unpredictable three-point turns (and at least one parent who forgot how to reverse without creating chaos), or through a Morris County snowstorm that definitely wasn't in the forecast five minutes ago.
That's why the Jeep Compass landed a well-earned feature in Nielsen Editorial's roundup of the safest vehicles for teen drivers in NJ. It's compact, capable, and confident - the kind of SUV that takes "new driver" nerves and turns them into "we've got this" moments (with a little help from heated seats and a strong cup of coffee).
The Compass brings more than just a high ride height and that recognizable Jeep grille. It's packed with parent-approved safety tech like Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection, and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning - exactly the kind of backup you want when your teen is still figuring out that a yellow light doesn't mean "floor it and cross your fingers."
And with available 4x4 capability, it's more than ready for icy hills, slushy driveways, or the occasional weekend detour to the Delaware Water Gap, where the GPS signal likes to disappear right when you need it most.
Size-wise, it hits that sweet spot: big enough to offer a feeling of protection, but small enough that your teen won't feel like they're captaining a cruise ship through the strip mall parking lot (though honestly, some of those lots look like obstacle courses designed by evil geniuses).
And while Jeep is famous for off-road grit, the Compass brings the brand's durability into a more polished, everyday-friendly package. Because even if your teen thinks every speed bump is a chance for "air time," you'll know the vehicle can handle it.
Bottom line? It's the SUV that teaches new drivers how to stay safe without making them feel like they're being babied in a padded bubble.
Looking for a first vehicle that blends Jeep reliability with real-world safety? Find a new Compass for sale in NJ at our New Jersey Jeep dealership.
Read the full Nielsen article: Safest Vehicles for Teen Drivers in NJ