2024 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refresh introduced a traditional front end with a centered Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille. The ST-Line Elite trim we tested featured 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat enhancing long-distance driving comfort. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced, detracting from the overall quality.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Compass, particularly in its Sport trim, presented a more generic exterior, lacking distinctive Jeep characteristics unless in the Trailhawk variant. The interior, however, was a highlight, especially in the 2023 Compass Limited trim, which featured a black and gray color scheme with caramel leatherette accents. The base Compass offered supportive cloth seats with blue stitching and textured inserts, along with a 10-inch infotainment screen and appropriate plastics for its price range. The Compass excelled in interior design and quality, with a cohesive and modern cabin that outshone older models. Despite its interior strengths, the exterior design remained unremarkable, lacking the unique identity expected from a Jeep.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered versatility with multiple powertrain options. The base engine, a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, produced 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available with either FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its impressive output, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Jeep Compass replaced its previous 2.4-liter engine with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, offering 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, the Compass delivered improved performance, minimizing engine noise and enhancing driving ease. It featured three driving modes and a rear-axle disconnect for fuel efficiency. The Trailhawk variant offered additional off-road capabilities, including a low-range transfer case and increased ground clearance. However, steering and handling were weak points, with excessive play and low grip. The Compass achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The interior featured well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. However, it fell short in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, lagging behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was adequate, with slightly less rear-seat legroom but impressive headroom and well-padded front-seat backs.

The 2024 Jeep Compass excelled in utility and ease of use. The driver’s seat offered clear analog gauges and a large color display, with convenient controls for the stereo and climate. Visibility was good, and the interior provided ample headroom and legroom, even without a sunroof. The rear seats included vents, USB ports, and a fold-down armrest. Cargo space was competitive, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet when folded. The front passenger seat also folded, enhancing versatility for carrying longer items.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a larger 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications like Android Auto and the native navigation system. However, Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the tech features were attractive and intuitive.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and Uconnect 5 software, offering a slick and crisp interface. The display was clear, with simple menus for adjusting settings. While the home screen lacked direct app switching, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and USB-C ports. Optional features included factory navigation, a wireless charging pad, and a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel. Higher trims offered additional tech options like a panoramic moonroof and a nine-speaker Alpine stereo.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by the NHTSA at the time of writing, but the 2022 model received four out of five stars. The 2023 Compass earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were available on higher trims, enhancing safety and convenience.