Jeep Compass vs Subaru Crosstrek

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek generally maintained a sense of continuity from its 2023 predecessor, featuring similar dimensions and an overall look that would be very familiar to past owners. The silhouette and body design remained largely the same, bringing in new sheet metal, a refreshed chassis, and new colors such as Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, and Sapphire Blue. For the Wilderness trim, the exclusive Geyser Blue paint added a unique touch. Although the wheelbase and overall length stayed nearly the same, the Crosstrek improved with a steeper departure angle and a tad reduced cargo space, making few changes to affect daily user experience.

Subaru’s signature 17-inch alloy wheels in the base model were wrapped in all-season tires, offering an 8.7-inch ground clearance suitable for off-road adventures. Roof rails, standard on everything but the Base trim, bolstered the crossover’s outdoor utility visual and functional appeal. Notably, the 2024 headlights blended into the vehicle's wing bar for an almost "smiling" front fascia, laden with a Cheshire cat charm.

Black plastic cladding surrounding each wheel arch was equally prominent, with new aerodynamic designs aiding a smoother airflow and reduced road noise. Subaru retained the second-generation Crosstrek’s split taillight design but introduced minor tweaks for improved trunk access as a nod to practical design philosophies. The new Wilderness trim expanded this rugged appeal with hexagonal grilles, larger cladding, and bumpers, raising the ground clearance to 9.3 inches for better off-road capability. Copper accents and a ladder-style roof rack topped it off, rated to carry diverse loads, making the Wilderness extra functional for outdoor adventures.

Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness embraced functionality with StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, easy-to-clean surfaces, and all-weather floor mats, emphasizing a crisper look with copper accents. While the interior dimensions barely changed, slightly improved cargo volume and convenient low grip height on the liftgate catered to versatile user needs.

When it came to aesthetics, the 2024 Jeep Compass in the Altitude trim caught attention with a vibrant two-tone red paint and black trim, though initial expectations were abruptly dimmed with a fleet-spec version instead. Unlike the detailed design strategy of the Crosstrek, the lower trims of the Compass were less distinct, blending too easily with other compact SUVs, lacking the iconic Jeep flair.

In higher trims like the Limited from 2023, the Compass’s interior boasted quality fit and finish with textured fabrics and practical designs. The simple black and gray cabin, enhanced with caramel leatherette, testified to Jeep’s comprehensive overhaul since 2022, bringing style and comfort up several notches. Key design elements such as urethane steering wheels, and purposeful plastics, and cohesive styling across trims meant the newer Compass models offered a nicer driving environment, despite the exterior’s generic cues.

Under the hood, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options—the familiar 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the more robust 2.5-liter flat-four engine available in Sport and Limited trims and now standard in the Wilderness trim. The 2.5-liter powerhouse delivered 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, proving advantageous for spirited driving, while the 2.0-liter engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, was more economical but definitely less zippy.

The CVT, now standard in all trims, offered simulated shift points, deliberately placed for a more engaging drive, although Wilderness trims displayed slightly enhanced dynamics due to additional pressure sensors. Subaru’s X-Mode traction management, a staple across trims, ensured competent handling on varied terrains, including aggressive uphill climbs in the Wilderness, which also benefited from increased towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

Running on the same tank of gas, the Crosstrek 2.0-liter delivered a decent 27 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway, whereas the 2.5-liter variant clocked in at 26 and 33 mpg, respectively. The Wilderness was slightly less economical but competitive within its segment.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Jeep Compass ditched the lackluster 2.4-liter engine in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter Inline four-cylinder, pushing out 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, it significantly improved driving dynamics, easing city navigation and highway merges. Featuring three driving modes (auto, snow, sand/mud), the Compass leveraged a rear-axle disconnect to save fuel by engaging only the front wheels under most conditions.

Steering in the Compass was less precise, struggling to offer direct feedback, especially when compared to other compact crossovers like the Equinox. Handling also felt mushy, despite comfort-focused ride dynamics. While the Compass could tow up to 2,000 pounds, it was slightly overshadowed by the Crosstrek's off-road capabilities and towing power in the Wilderness trim.

Despite its compact footprint, the Subaru Crosstrek was designed with utility and user needs in mind. With the 2024 model sitting on the same platform as the Impreza, it offered practical cargo space with 19.9 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 54.7 cubic feet when folded down. While this felt short compared to roomier competitors like the Honda CR-V, it held its own with practical touches like a protective cargo tray, multiple cupholders, and a center console that could accommodate two large Nalgene bottles.

The Jeep Compass presented competitive cargo capacity, with a sizeable 27.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and expanding to 59.8 cubic feet when folded down. The fold-flat front passenger seat further augmented the general SUV utility, allowing longer items to fit comfortably.

Both SUVs underwent refinements to enhance daily usability. The Crosstrek’s interior materials were rugged yet cleanable, while the Wilderness trim added extra convenience for avid outdoor enthusiasts with trunk cupholders and standard all-weather mats. The Compass, however, excelled in delivering clear analog gauges, physical controls beneath the touchscreen, and ergonomically placed driver aids, except for a few minor quirks like the absent temperature readouts.

Technological advancements in the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek were marked by the introduction of an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard in all but the base trim. Featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system boasted clear icons, albeit struggling occasionally with glare and sometimes complex menu navigation. Understanding the market's need for physical controls, Subaru retained knobs and buttons for key functions, ensuring operational ease.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Compass packaged a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 software, establishing an intuitive interface with wireless smartphone integration and USB-C ports standard across all trims. The display retained clarity even in brighter conditions, and its strategically placed menus simplified vehicle settings management. Optional high-tech inclusions like a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel with built-in navigation, semi-automated driving assistants, and an advanced Elite Group package underscored the progressively tech-forward stance.

Safety was integral to the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek’s appeal, buoyed by the consistent Top Safety Pick awards from IIHS since inception. The comprehensive EyeSight system remained standard, integrating wider-angle cameras, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency steering with blind-spot monitoring. This system’s enhancements were pivotal in maintaining Subaru’s strong safety reputation.

Although the 2024 Compass hadn't been rated by NHTSA at the time of writing, the 2022 model’s four-star rating and the 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick designation hinted at strong safety credentials. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Adaptive cruise control and advanced parking assists were selectively available, adding to the robustness of its safety suite.