Jeep Compass vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander showcased a remarkable balance between size and refined design. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it sat alongside models like the RAV4, Highlander, and Camry, distinguishing itself as a true crossover within Toyota’s lineup. Unlike the truck-based Sequoia, the Grand Highlander was designed with a more civilized on-road demeanor, albeit sacrificing some off-road ruggedness. This hefty vehicle, with its 201.4 inches length and 116.1 inches wheelbase, dwarfed sub-compact offerings like the Kia Telluride, providing ample space and presence.

The Grand Highlander combined conservative SUV lines with touches of Toyota's rugged style, evidenced by its blockier appearance compared to the smaller Highlander. The front end featured a trapezoidal grille and horizontally stretched slit above it, mimicking the look of Toyota's off-road-focused 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander did not disappoint with its selection of synthetic leather in the XLE trim, stepping up to genuine leather in the Limited and Platinum trims. The spacious cabin boasted thoughtful inclusions like a large center console and rear sunshades, making it a practical choice for families.

On the flip side, the 2024 Jeep Compass presented a stark contrast. When tested in Michigan, the Compass quickly shed any pretense of luxury when presented in its most basic Sport trim. With a generic, rental-car aura, its design failed to stand out among the crowd, and its diminutive stature didn't convey the ruggedness typically associated with Jeep.

However, the Compass shined more brightly in its higher trims. The Limited trim boasted an inviting interior with a mix of black and gray, complemented by caramel leatherette. Enhancements made since the 2022 model year lent both style and functionality. Its cloth seats with blue stitching, combined with textured inserts and thoughtfully placed silver accents, infused a sense of modernity. Nevertheless, without the distinctive touches seen in the higher trims, the Compass remained relatively unremarkable externally.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three distinct powertrains catering to diverse driving preferences. The base 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while a fuel-efficiency-focused 2.5-liter hybrid variant produced 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-liter turbo-four with electric motors, generating an impressive 362 combined net horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Though the Grand Highlander was no sports car, the Hybrid Max variant stood out with a zero-to-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds, providing brisk acceleration for a vehicle of its size. Most buyers gravitated toward the 2.4-liter turbo, appreciating its balanced performance despite its substantial dimensions. While the larger size impacted maneuverability, the Grand Highlander maintained acceptable road manners. The steering feedback felt somewhat disconnected, but the braking performance was solid, delivering a confident pedal feel.

Conversely, the 2024 Jeep Compass dispensed with its previously uninspiring 2.4-liter engine in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, offering 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The upgrade transformed the Compass, allowing it to navigate city streets and highways with ease. The eight-speed automatic transmission paired with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) created a responsive driving experience, and the Compass boasted three driving modes–auto, snow, and sand/mud–for optimized traction. The Trailhawk variant added serious off-road prowess with a low-range transfer case and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, but this capability came at a premium, making it less accessible to the average buyer.

Despite the performance improvements, the Compass still lagged in steering and handling, particularly compared to rivals like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. Steering lacked precision, and the handling felt soft, though the ride quality remained comfortable. Fuel economy stood at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, competitive for its class but not exceptional.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander excelled in offering both space and comfort. At 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, it provided more room than key competitors like the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. The interior dimensions enabled Toyota to offer 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space when the second and third rows were folded flat. Even with all seats in place, 20.6 cubic feet of storage was at the driver's disposal, ensuring ample room for luggage and gear. The second-row captain's chairs and built-in steps facilitated access to the third row, making the Grand Highlander a practical choice for families and long trips.

The 2024 Jeep Compass was designed with utility in mind. While it couldn't match the Grand Highlander in terms of overall dimensions, it maximized usability within its compact footprint. The front seats offered good visibility, with well-placed controls that were intuitive to use. Rear-seat occupants enjoyed ample legroom and amenities such as USB ports and air vents. However, cargo space in the Compass was more limited, offering 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet when folded flat. While competitive for its class, these figures fell short compared to the Grand Highlander's cavernous interior.

Toyota equipped every 2024 Grand Highlander with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The sophisticated system, coupled with Toyota's new interface, marked a significant improvement over previous models. Dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard, enhancing connectivity and convenience. Higher trims benefitted from an 11-speaker JBL sound system, while optional connected-services subscriptions added digital assistant capabilities and cloud-based navigation, further increasing functionality.

The 2024 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 software, praised for its clarity and responsiveness. While the system provided straightforward access to vehicle settings and media, it lacked direct app switching from the home screen, requiring additional input from users. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensured seamless smartphone integration, and optional factory navigation allowed upgrades post-purchase. Features like a digital instrument panel, advanced safety aids, and the semi-automated driving system enhanced higher trims, offering a broad range of modern amenities.

The safety credentials of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander were bolstered by Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), a suite of advanced driver assistance systems provided as standard. This included features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, with an expanded range of following-distance settings, was also standard.

For the 2024 Jeep Compass, safety equipment mirrored modern expectations, starting with forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Driver attention monitoring and adaptive cruise control (standard on higher trims) further augmented its safety profile. Previous models had received commendable ratings, including a four-star overall rating from NHTSA for the 2022 model and a Top Safety Pick accolade from IIHS for the 2023 model, ensuring peace of mind.