2023 Jeep Compass vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Jeep Compass presented a more refined and upscale appearance compared to its rugged predecessors. It shared design elements with the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families, offering a sophisticated look with new wheel designs and paint options. The Compass was available in various trims, including the Sport, Latitude, and Trailhawk, each with unique features. The Limited trim, tested with additional packages, showcased a luxurious interior with digital displays and metallic accents, though its high price point raised questions about its value in the small SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic boxy profile with modern features, such as angular headlights, creating a visual link to other Land Rover models. The interior emphasized durability and adventure-readiness, with soft-touch materials enhancing comfort. Offered in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—the Defender catered to different needs, with trims like the S, X-Dynamic SE, and Carpathian Edition providing various styling and feature options. The Defender 110 S, tested with the County visual package, highlighted a blend of vintage and modern aesthetics, appealing to both traditionalists and those seeking contemporary flair.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally addressed its long-standing powertrain issues with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD, offered improved performance, though it prioritized fuel economy over power. The Trailhawk variant featured enhanced off-road capabilities with a low-range AWD system and increased ground clearance. Despite these improvements, the Compass still exhibited significant body motions on uneven surfaces, and its AWD system was slow to engage, affecting traction during hard acceleration.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, delivering 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged V8 options, the P500 and P525, provided even more power. The Defender excelled in off-road performance, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 enhancing its capabilities. The P400 model demonstrated ample power for highway driving, though it exhibited slight lurching at low speeds, likely due to its off-road gearing.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a comfortable interior for adults in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. Higher trims provided leather upholstery and power-adjustable seats. The Limited test vehicle featured a well-appointed interior, though some hard plastic elements detracted from its luxury feel. The Compass offered competitive cargo space, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with them folded, plus an adjustable load floor for added versatility.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied by model, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row and the Defender 130 accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity also depended on the model, with the Defender 130 providing up to 76.1 cubic feet of space with seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 78.8 cubic feet in its two-row configuration. The Defender 90, the smallest model, provided 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down, featuring practical hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM services. Depending on the trim, it could include a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, navigation, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Limited test vehicle had these features, with the Alexa Built-in assistant proving responsive. The parking assist system and surround-view camera added convenience, though the Compass's small size often made these features unnecessary.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The straightforward setup complemented the Defender's utilitarian nature, with home buttons for easy navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system, providing a refined yet functional interior experience.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder for 2023, with most trims featuring automatic high-beam headlights. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control and Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous system. The Compass's safety ratings were incomplete, with the IIHS withholding a Top Safety Pick rating pending further testing.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree parking camera. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, a common situation for high-end vehicles.