Toyota RAV4 vs Jeep Compass

That’s not surprising, considering how people have adopted SUVs of every size as their favorite kind of vehicle. Back in the mid-1990s, the original RAV4 (Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4WD) ushered in the era of the crossover. Almost 30 years later, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 helps to set standards in its segment, available with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains in trim levels ranging from basic or sporty to rugged or upscale.

Verdict: Last redesigned in 2019, the current-generation RAV4 is nearing the end of its run. But if you’re looking for a dependable, roomy, and practical compact SUV, a 2024 RAV4 will serve you well for a long time to come.

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The 2024 Compass Sport carries over last year's major powertrain upgrade without any increase to the base price: $28,400. That's less than the littlest Jeep, the Renegade, and nearly $10,000 below the similarly-sized Cherokee. It's also cheaper than a Ford Escape and many other compact SUVs but without the bargain-bin interior of older Compass models. While upper trims get too pricey for their britches, the base-model Compass we tested provides real value in an era where new-car prices increase every few months.

Verdict: The 2024 Jeep Compass offers good tech and impressive safety features, and it arrives with a sub-$30,000 base MSRP. The Compass still lags behind some of the competition in terms of materials quality and performance. Now in its second year past a 2023 facelift, however, it’s many strides better than older iterations.