Jeep Compass vs Subaru Ascent

When we evaluated the 2024 Jeep Compass in Michigan, it was clear this vehicle struggled to make a striking impression, at least in its more basic trims. We initially opted for the Compass Altitude, adorned in an eye-catching red two-tone paint job with blacked-out trim. However, our test vehicle turned out to be a white Compass Sport, with black plastic door handles and smaller wheels—par for the course for a fleet vehicle.

In its base trim, the Compass Sport was borderline invisible, blending too easily into the sea of small crossovers. The only distinguishing feature was its iconic seven-slot grille. The resemblance to other SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 was uncanny, making the Compass hard to recognize from afar. On the other hand, the Compass Trailhawk trim added more character with red tow hooks, revised bumpers, and a mild lift.

The bright spot for the Compass has been its interior design and quality improvements since the 2022 model year. Even in its base trim, the Compass featured supportive cloth seats with blue stitching, textured crosshatch inserts, and a well-designed cabin with a large 10-inch infotainment screen. These updates significantly upped the interior game for Jeep, ensuring the Compass was no longer the lackluster offering it once was.

The Subaru Ascent, redesigned in the previous year, did not win any beauty contests either, primarily due to its polarizing front-end design. The bold grille and tusk-like elements drew mixed reactions, a typical outcome with Subaru's design refreshes.

The Ascent lineup continued unchanged for 2024, with available trims from Base to Touring. Opting for the Touring trim granted certain luxurious upgrades, such as a panoramic sunroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, advanced navigation, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and a surround-view camera.

Inside the Ascent Touring, the design was functional and practical, albeit not sophisticated or modern. The modular components felt solid and well-built, serving their purpose without flaunting any elegance. Subaru's emphasis remained on usability rather than visual flair.

The Jeep Compass ditched its old naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter engine for a more dynamic turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, offering 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Compass now handled city streets and highways with newfound vigor.

Driver-selectable modes (auto, snow, sand/mud) and a torque-lock feature allowed the Compass to maintain traction across various surfaces. Notably, the Trailhawk trim came equipped with additional off-road capabilities like a low-range transfer case and Falken all-terrain tires. However, this off-road prowess came with a price tag that many might find steep.

Steering and handling were not the Compass's strongest suits. The steering lacked accuracy at higher speeds, and the handling felt somewhat mushy, though the ride quality remained comfortable. Fuel economy rated at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, making it somewhat competitive in its segment.

The Ascent showcased a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering a healthy 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The engine was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that powered all four wheels through Subaru's all-wheel-drive system. The Ascent handled various terrains with remarkable ease, making it a versatile companion whether in urban or off-road settings.

The CVT mimicked a conventional automatic transmission with its eight programmed ratios, adding to the vehicle's overall smooth performance. Despite its SUV bulk, the Ascent managed to exhibit some agility, although its heavy curb weight and softly tuned suspension limited its prowess on twisty roads.

Fuel economy, however, was a downer, particularly with the 20-inch wheels. The Ascent clocked an official EPA rating of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. In real-world conditions, those numbers dipped even further, making it less efficient in fuel consumption compared to the Compass.

Utility and user-friendliness defined the Compass's interior. A combination of clear analog gauges and a large color display provided vital information. The central controls were straightforward, though the absence of temperature readouts was a minor inconvenience. The Compass excelled in visibility and seating comfort, with ample room both in the front and back.

Cargo space was competitive, offering 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet when these were folded down. An added advantage was the foldable front passenger seat, making it easier to transport longer items.

In the Ascent, Subaru prioritized functionality. Features like dashboard shelves, large cupholders in rear door panels, and backpack pegs ensured ease of use. The Touring trim's Nappa leather seats provided excellent comfort, though the lack of a height adjuster for the front passenger seat was a small miss.

The rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy access, especially for families. The second-row captain’s chairs, while comfortable, offered slightly less legroom compared to competitors. The third-row seats accommodated adults on short trips and were a hit with kids.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, extending to 43.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and a maximum of 75.6 cubic feet when the second-row seats were also folded. This made it more spacious in comparison to the Compass.

The Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software. Its slick, crisp display and intuitive interface were highlights, though the home screen's lack of direct app switching was a minor grievance. The touchscreen's performance in direct sunlight was excellent, a contrast to more high-end models like the Grand Cherokee.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, 4G Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports were standard features. Optional upgrades included factory navigation, a wireless charging pad, and a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel with full-screen maps. The Active Driving Assist offered some semi-automated driving features but had no groundbreaking elements.

The Ascent featured Subaru's latest Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. While it offered a comprehensive suite of features like Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM, the display's performance in direct sunlight left much to be desired.

The Ascent's Starlink system came with physical buttons and knobs for essential functions, adding to the user convenience. Higher trims included advanced features like Cabin Connect, a surround-view camera, and a camera-based rearview mirror. However, its voice-recognition system was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a must for voice commands.

Jeep's 2024 Compass had not yet been rated by NHTSA at the time of writing, though its 2022 model earned four out of five stars overall. It scored highest in side impacts but showed less impressive rollover resistance at three out of five stars. The 2023 Compass received a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, further solidifying its safety credentials.

Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and 360-degree camera options.

Subaru's commitment to safety was evident in the 2024 Ascent. NHTSA awarded it five stars in all assessments except rollover resistance, where it got four stars. IIHS recognized the Ascent with a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2023 calendar year.

The Ascent's EyeSight package provided essential safety aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Moving up the trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and a Driver Focus system, although EyeSight's performance, especially lane assistance, was not flawless and occasionally troublesome.