Jeep Compass vs Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet thoroughly revamped the 2024 Trax, transforming it from its previous humdrum self into a more dynamic, aesthetically appealing vehicle. Designers adapted a “longer, lower, wider” philosophy that added 11 inches to its length, stretched the wheelbase by nearly six inches, lowered it by four inches, and increased the width by two inches. Taking cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer, the Trax showcased a bold grille that overtakes the headlights and daytime running lights, as well as a noticeable step between the rear body sides and windows. These design elements imbue the Trax with a commanding appearance that stands out from competitors like the boxy Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks.

The base Trax LS featured 17-inch steel wheels, with 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum wheels available in higher trims. The Activ and RS trims aimed for rugged and sporty looks, respectively. The Trax Activ’s design included faux skid plate trim, while the RS trim offered blacked-out elements that added a sporty, sleek look. Interior-wise, the LS came standard with cloth upholstery and a predominantly plastic interior. Some intriguing design choices like a slim dashboard, a freestanding touchscreen, and large round air vents broke the monotony. Higher trims opted for Evotex upholstery, which imitated a leather-like feel but resembled activewear. Yellow contrast stitching and piano-black plastic added various style points to the higher trims, albeit with mixed success.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Jeep Compass maintained a different aesthetic. During testing in Michigan, the Compass Sport, especially in its rental-car-like setup, lacked significant standout visual features. However, higher trims like the Compass Trailhawk, with red tow hooks, revised bumpers, and a mild lift, offered more character.

The Compass Limited impressed with a black and gray color scheme accented with caramel leatherette. Post-2022, Jeep revamped the interior to include large screens and refined materials. The base model offered supportive cloth seats with blue stitching and textured inserts, alongside light gray cloth adorning the door panels and dashboard. Despite its uninspiring exterior, especially in the Sport trim, the interior design and quality had seen a marked improvement.

The Chevrolet Trax for 2024 brought a single engine alternative—a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. While this marked a slight downgrade from the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four's 155 hp and 177 lb-ft figures, the new engine offered a quicker 0-60 mph time by about a second. Real-world driving impressions confirmed it felt adequately powered, with a strong torque curve ensuring smooth acceleration and minimized turbo lag. The old six-speed automatic transmission returned, but Trax became a front-wheel drive (FWD) exclusive, unlike its predecessor. The FWD choice aimed to differentiate it from the AWD-optional Trailblazer. The handling of the new Trax felt car-like, with a wider track enhancing its planted feel and predictable, nimble handling. However, limited tire grip and noticeable body roll reminded drivers of its economical nature.

In contrast, Jeep replaced the previous naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine in the Compass with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the new engine provided swift and effortless city driving and highway merging. Standard AWD with three driving modes (auto, snow, sand/mud) aided in optimizing traction. A rear-axle disconnect saved fuel by powering only the front wheels in most conditions but reacted slowly under hard acceleration. The Trailhawk trim added a low-range transfer case, increasing off-road capability and handling tough terrains. However, the Compass's steering felt loose and vague, hindering precision at higher speeds. Handling was also mushy, though ride comfort was commendable.

Despite its larger exterior, the 2024 Trax did not uniformly offer increased interior space. Rear-seat legroom grew by three inches, with a minor increase in the front, but headroom dropped by 0.7 inches in the rear. The reduced shoulder room suggested seats had been moved inward, creating a snugger environment. Passenger space paralleled rivals closely, although the Trax boasted the most rear-seat legroom among them. Additionally, the low driving position and low window sills offered excellent outward visibility but lacked the elevated seating favored in typical SUVs.

Cargo capacity saw a significant improvement in the 2024 Trax. With 25.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 54.1 cubic feet with seats folded, it outperformed the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue slightly but still offered substantial utility for its size.

Jeep Compass maximized utility and usability. Clear analog gauges flanked a large color display from the driver’s seat. Buttons behind the steering wheel managed stereo functions, and traditional gear selectors, climate controls, and an arrangement of buttons below the touchscreen simplified operation. However, the lack of precise temperature readings for climate adjustments was an odd omission. Visibility was good, and without a sunroof, front headroom felt especially spacious. Ample legroom and headroom characterized both front and rear seats, and rear passengers enjoyed additional amenities like vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest. Storage options included small door pockets and up-front cubbies. The Compass excelled with 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with seats folded. A foldable front passenger seat added versatility when carrying longer items.

Technological upgrades defined the 2024 Chevrolet Trax. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard on LS and 1RS trims, while LT, 2RS, and Activ models benefited from an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. Introduction of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, marked advancements, accompanied by Wi-Fi connectivity.

The user-friendly infotainment system impressed with crisp graphics and a logical layout. However, the tilt of the screen towards the driver compromised front passenger usability, making controls less accessible. The optional digital instrument cluster added contemporary ease, enabling information from the main touchscreen to be viewed in the cluster—a valuable substitute for a head-up display absent from the Trax. Multiple USB ports ensured connectivity for all passengers, though wireless phone charging availability varied by trim.

The Jeep Compass equipped a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 software as standard. Its clarity, crispness, and speed enhanced usability, outperforming larger models like the Jeep Grand Cherokee in legibility. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, 4G Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports came standard. Factory navigation was an optional but easily upgradable extra. The touchscreen lacked direct app switching capabilities but maintained overall simplicity and utility.

A 10.3-inch digital instrument panel featured prominently on higher trims, and a range of optional features (when opting for the Elite Group package) included live traffic navigation, a power liftgate, a panoramic moonroof, and an advanced stereo system. Availability of Active Driving Assist offered semi-automated driving capabilities but didn’t introduce revolutionary features.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax awaited crash-test ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA. Nonetheless, it offered a commendable suite of driver-assist features, including:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Front pedestrian braking
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane-departure warning
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic high beams
• Following distance indicator
• Optional adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist

The Teen Driver system, standard across Chevy models, activated certain safety features, muted audio until seat belts were fastened, and compiled driving behavior to present a report card for parents, prioritizing teenage driver safety.

The 2024 Jeep Compass, not yet rated by NHTSA, had earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS for the 2023 model year. Standard safety features included:

• Forward emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane-keep assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitor

Adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and 360-degree cameras were optional, while rain-sensing wipers were standard on higher trims. The driver's knee airbag offered additional protection, contributing to its high safety standards.