2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades available. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while the High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited with all-wheel drive was priced from $32,645. Our test vehicle, a 2020 Compass Limited with AWD and numerous options, totaled $39,755, including the destination charge. Despite its premium features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling of the current Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its modern cabin included a semi-digital instrument panel and a comfortable, spacious interior. However, hard plastics were used in many areas, and rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade offered more upscale cabins. The Pilot came in six trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and the new Black Edition. The EX trim was recommended for its added features like remote start, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and tri-zone climate control. Higher trims added more luxury and convenience features, making the Pilot a well-rounded family SUV.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts, while the automatic engine stop/start system could be deactivated. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal was sensitive. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission on LX, EX, and EX-L trims, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition received a 9-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided stout acceleration and was suitable for real-world driving. The Pilot's ride was refined and comfortable, designed for easy commutes and relaxing road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes for various conditions, enhancing the Pilot's capability in different terrains.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. However, the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer housing took up some cargo space. Interior storage was limited, and cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while higher trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. The Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, comparable to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot had plenty of storage spaces for family gear, and higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate. The second-row captain’s chairs provided a narrow passage for kids and a helpful separation between them.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured an excellent available Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. It also offered SiriusXM Guardian connected services, a navigation system, and an Alpine premium audio system. Uconnect was intuitive and easy to use, though some features were embedded in menus that should have been more accessible. The voice recognition system worked well with naturally spoken requests, and drivers could adjust the stereo and climate controls using voice commands.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's LX trim level provided a 5-inch color LCD screen with a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo and Bluetooth connectivity. All other trims featured Honda’s Display Audio 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Display Audio had a confusing layout and lacked a tuning knob, making interaction with the radio reliant on the touchscreen. Higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Cabin Control Remote Capability. Navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a wall-style power outlet were optional on the EX-L and standard on higher trims. The Touring, Elite, and Black Edition received an upgraded 590-watt, 10-speaker premium audio system and mobile hotspot capability. The Elite and Black Edition also came with a wireless charging pad.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, available even on the base Sport trim. These included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. The adaptive cruise control overreacted to changes in traffic, and the lane-keeping assist could be overly insistent. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests but had mixed ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Standard safety features also included front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control. Optional safety equipment included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, with a Superior score in crash prevention technology.