2021 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, drawing inspiration from the refined Grand Cherokee. It offered four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special editions to enhance the lineup. Starting at $22,280 for the base model with front-wheel drive and a manual transmission, the Compass could be upgraded to the High Altitude version for $32,645 with all-wheel drive. Our test vehicle, a Compass Limited with AWD, was loaded with options, bringing the price to $39,755. Despite its premium features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal, though it was a significant improvement over its predecessor.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite being redesigned in 2019, retained a familiar look with its boxy, upright shape. This design choice appealed to many SUV shoppers, offering a clean and unpretentious appearance. The Forester Sport model, like our test car, featured orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, adding a sporty touch. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, maintaining a rugged SUV image. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense materials promised durability, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. The Forester offered a mix of cloth and leather upholstery across its trims, with an All-Weather Package available for added comfort.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and fuel-thirsty, with our test vehicle averaging 23.1 mpg, below the EPA's 25 mpg rating. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the automatic engine stop/start system was inconvenient in warm weather. The Compass's suspension managed body roll but allowed too much vertical motion, and the steering was heavy and vague. However, the Compass excelled off-road, especially in Trailhawk trim, with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and Rock driving mode.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked power for highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension was softly sprung, absorbing bumps but resulting in poor body control and a bouncy ride. Subaru's AWD system was standard, with X-Mode for different surfaces, and Sport models offered Dual X-Mode. The Forester had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on rough terrain, though not as off-road-ready as some competitors.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a Luxury Seat Group with premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB port, and a power outlet. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, storage inside the cabin was limited, and cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided above-average headroom and legroom, with a tall roofline enhancing visibility. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester's cupholders were well-sized, but the phone-storage cubby was small, and wireless charging was not offered. The center console was reasonably sized, and the controls were user-friendly, though the steering wheel had many buttons.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE WiFi. It also offered SiriusXM Guardian services, navigation, and an Alpine audio system. Uconnect was intuitive, though some features were buried in menus. Voice recognition worked well, and primary controls were separate from the display.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Starlink infotainment system, including a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Sport models had an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio, while higher trims added navigation. The system was user-friendly, but the screen was slow to boot. Additional displays showed secondary information, though the setup felt complex.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The IIHS rated it "Good" in most tests, but the NHTSA gave mixed ratings. The adaptive cruise control was overly sensitive, and lane-keeping assist was sometimes too aggressive.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, featuring adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Subaru's DriverFocus monitored driver attention, and optional features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.