2020 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, showcased a bolder and more angular appearance, enhancing its rugged look. The Adventure trim, introduced the previous year, improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. For 2020, the TRD Off-Road trim took these features further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim also featured unique TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with the otherwise high-quality interior materials.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. The Compass offered various packages and special edition trim upgrades, starting at $22,280 for the Sport trim with FWD and a six-speed manual transmission. The Limited trim, with AWD and numerous options, could reach up to $39,755. Despite its handsome design and premium features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal. However, it was a significant improvement over the original Compass model.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it wasn't available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain in the test vehicle provided adequate performance, especially in Sport mode, though a turbocharged engine would have been preferable at higher altitudes. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well but occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model's torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance made it capable on challenging trails. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

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. However, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with the test vehicle averaging 23.1 mpg, below the EPA rating of 25 mpg. The 9-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. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal was sensitive. The Trailhawk trim offered better off-road capabilities with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system. The test vehicle's simpler AWD system included a 50:50 Lock mode and Selec-Terrain traction system with various driving modes.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 provided easy entry and exit with well-placed seating hip points. The 8-way adjustable driver's seat offered a low and sporty driving position, while the front passenger seat, though lacking height adjustment, provided good thigh support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Interior storage was ample, with a dashboard shelf and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, with the Luxury Seat Group, offered 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 and 59.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down, though the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer reduced luggage room. Interior storage was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4's technology was user-friendly and useful. Depending on the trim, the infotainment system featured a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for three months or 2GB of data. The TRD Off-Road trim's 8-inch system had menu shortcut buttons and knobs for easy use, with climate controls separated from the display. Upgrades included an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice-recognition technology was impressive, and the optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. The system also supported SiriusXM Guardian connected services, navigation, and an Alpine premium audio system. Uconnect was intuitive and featured appealing graphics, though some functions were embedded in menus. Primary stereo and climate controls were separated from the display. The voice recognition system worked well with natural speech, though navigation required specific prompts. Overall, Uconnect was impressive for the segment.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) with advanced driving assist safety features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. Toyota also provided a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services. The RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though only models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights received this rating.

The 2020 Jeep Compass extended its driving assistance and collision avoidance technology to the base Sport trim level. Optional safety features 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. These systems performed to average expectations, with some overreacting and insistent corrective actions. The Compass earned Good ratings in IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance. The NHTSA gave the Compass a mix of three-star, four-star, and five-star ratings.