2020 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Jeep Compass

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts and direct injection, offering 182 horsepower. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly in the head- and taillights, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and the innovative DriverFocus system, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at $26,645 for the 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen and additional features like dual-zone climate control and heated front seats. Higher trims like the Limited and Touring offered more luxury and tech, with the Onyx Edition XT adding off-road capabilities and a turbo engine. The top-tier Touring XT, priced at $39,695, included all the bells and whistles, making it a versatile and well-rounded option.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, reflecting the refined side of the brand like the Grand Cherokee, was a handsome SUV available in four core trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Prices started at $22,280 for the Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. The High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited, priced from $32,645 with all-wheel drive, offered a more luxurious experience. Our test vehicle, a fully loaded Compass Limited with AWD, panoramic sunroof, navigation, and premium sound system, totaled $39,755.

Despite its premium features, the Compass had some drawbacks. The 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, was loud, slow, and thirsty, averaging 23.1 mpg. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the suspension allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capabilities, especially in the Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system. The Limited trim, while not as off-road capable, still handled moderately difficult trails well.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019, and improved fuel efficiency at 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For those needing more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims delivered 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) tuned to mimic a traditional automatic, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance for off-road capability.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, powered by a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, produced 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. However, it was loud, slow, and averaged 23.1 mpg, below the EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts. The Compass’s suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. Despite these issues, the Compass excelled off-road, especially in the Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system. The Limited trim, while less off-road capable, still handled moderately difficult trails well.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. The low load height and excellent visibility added to its practicality. However, the rear quarters had a significant blind spot, which could be mitigated with optional blind-spot monitoring.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, with the Luxury Seat Group, featured 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. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet. However, the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer housing reduced luggage space. Interior storage was limited, and cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was large and easy to navigate but suffered from significant lag. Climate-control functions were buried in menus, and the camera resolution was subpar. Despite these issues, the system had potential with its user-friendly interface and attractive design.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive, with appealing graphics and easy-to-use voice recognition. However, some features were embedded in menus, and the navigation system required specific prompts. Overall, Uconnect impressed with its functionality and user-friendly design.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and Subaru’s EyeSight system. However, the optical system could be obstructed by weather conditions, and the DriverFocus system was overly sensitive, often giving false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback maintained a strong commitment to safety.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered optional driving assistance and collision avoidance technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. These systems performed to average expectations, with some overreacting or being overly insistent. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests but had mixed ratings from NHTSA.