Jeep Compass vs Honda Prologue

In Michigan, the 2024 Jeep Compass mostly gave off a utilitarian vibe. Our test model, the base Compass Sport, looked unremarkable with its black plastic door handles and small wheels, common to fleet vehicles used by utility companies. The trademark seven-slot grille was the only feature hinting it was a Jeep. The tailgate issues and unresponsive doors didn't help its cause. The design felt generic, lacking the distinctive flair expected of a Jeep. Only the Trailhawk trim, with its unique red tow hooks and revised bumpers, managed to stand out. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the Compass sported a rather uninspiring exterior.

On the other hand, the 2024 Honda Prologue showcased an elegant and near "normal" EV design. The base EX trim offered five colors, while the Touring and Elite trims added Sonic Grey and introduced an eye-catching North Shore Pearl. The front end featured a traditional Honda "H" logo on a smooth black panel, adding a touch of modernity. The Prologue's side profile appeared low due to its length combined with its oversized 21-inch Elite trim wheels, offering a sleek and somewhat stylish look. Its new "Honda" script on the back symbolized its journey into new propulsion methods. Inside, the Elite trim with its brown and black interior felt upscale yet familiar, mimicking recently revamped Honda models like the CR-V and Accord. The Piano black plastic replacing air vents gave the dashboard a streamlined look. Despite lacking the rugged exterior elements some might crave, the Prologue successfully combined modern and conventional design elements.

The 2024 Jeep Compass saw a significant improvement with the detuned version of the Cherokee's optional turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder. This engine delivered 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Compass easily maneuvered through town and merged onto highways, addressing previous complaints about engine noise and sluggishness. Three driving modes (auto, snow, and sand/mud) plus the ability to lock torque 50-50 front to rear optimized traction. The Trailhawk trim even featured a low-range transfer case, rock driving mode, and increased ground clearance for off-road capabilities, though these additions came at a higher price. With a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, the Compass was capable yet unremarkable in its class. Steering and handling left room for improvement, with a mushy feel and low grip, making it less agile compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. Fuel economy stood at an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, competitive but not exceptional.

The 2024 Honda Prologue presented different powertrain configurations. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, available in EX and Touring trims, utilized a single-motor setup rated at 212 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, boasting an impressive 296-mile range with 19-inch wheels. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) models, optional on EX and Touring and standard on Elite, featured a dual-motor configuration with a combined 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Elite trim achieved a 273-mile range with 21-inch wheels, while the EX and Touring trims had a slightly higher 281-mile range. Though other EVs had longer-range models, the Prologue's base range of 296 miles was the best in its class. The Prologue maintained Honda's renowned driving dynamics, offering various regenerative braking settings for a seamless transition to EV driving. The comfortable and quiet ride, combined with a responsive throttle, brake, and steering, particularly in Sport mode, made the Prologue a joy to drive. It successfully delivered a driving experience that belied its size and powertrain.

The 2024 Jeep Compass emphasized utility and ease of use. Its analog gauges flanked a large color display, providing clear information. Convenient buttons behind the steering wheel adjusted the stereo's volume and other audio inputs. The regular PRNDL gear selector and physical climate controls were user-friendly, although the lack of temperature readouts on the touchscreen was a minor inconvenience. Visibility was good, and the front and rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats featured vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest, adding to passenger comfort. The central cubby and door pockets were small but useful. Cargo space amounted to 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet when folded. The manual front passenger seat folding feature made carrying longer items easy, enhancing the Compass's practicality.

The 2024 Honda Prologue, in contrast, provided traditional door handles, making the transition to EVs easier for new owners. With a generous 111.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, it outclassed its Cadillac Lyriq platform-mate by over six cubic feet. Rear legroom was particularly impressive at 39.4 inches, with the front seats offering 41.4 inches. Headroom was a bit tighter, measuring 39.6 inches in the front and 38.1 inches in the back, but reclinable rear seats and a panoramic moonroof on higher trims created a spacious feel. Heated front seats and dual-zone climate control were standard, with additional features like driver’s seat memory on the Touring trim and front seat ventilation and a heated steering wheel on the Elite trim. Cargo space was slightly less than the Compass, with 25.2 cubic feet of cargo area extending to 57.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The flat load floor and deep compartment beneath the load floor offered practical storage solutions, though the long hatch area could be a challenge for shorter individuals to fully utilize.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software, offering a user-friendly and quick interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, 4G Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports were standard. Opting for factory navigation allowed for future upgrades. The optional wireless charging pad secured phones effectively. Higher trims offered a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, navigation, live traffic, and other advanced features. The Elite Group package added luxurious touches like heated steering wheels, power passenger seats, a foot-activated power tailgate, Alexa, and second-row USB ports. A panoramic moonroof and a nine-speaker Alpine stereo enhanced the higher trims. The semi-automated driving system, Active Driving Assist, was available on Limited and above trims but didn’t have groundbreaking features.

The 2024 Honda Prologue, meanwhile, featured keyless access, with a unique card-format key for the Elite trim. A standard wireless charger, four USB-C ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity enhanced convenience. The 11.3-inch infotainment screen and separate 11-inch digital driver-information display were crisp and responsive, with a head-up display available on the Elite trim. Google Built-In provided native Google Maps with a route-planning feature, facilitating easy EV charging station locaters and battery preconditioning. Touring and Elite trims boasted a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system developed specifically for the Prologue, with Active Sound Control adding artificial sounds for a more engaging driving experience.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had not yet been rated by the NHTSA as of this writing, though the 2022 model received four out of five stars. The identical 2023 model was awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick, scoring top ratings in all six crash tests. A driver's knee airbag came standard, along with forward emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Adaptive cruise control was standard on the Limited and above trims. Higher trims offered parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.

The 2024 Honda Prologue included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, with new features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims boasted additional safety features like front park assist, surround-vision systems, and rear pedestrian alerts. Standard safety equipment included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. While too new to be rated by IIHS or NHTSA yet, Honda aimed for Top Safety Pick+ and five-star overall ratings, respectively.