Jeep Compass vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Back in 2019, Toyota redesigned the RAV4, abandoning its softer crossover aesthetic in favor of a sturdier, blocky appearance. The redesigned RAV4 featured a trapezoidal grille adapted from Toyota’s truck line, adding significant heft to the vehicle’s look. This grille was complemented by beveled and angular bodywork that framed the headlights. Initially, this restyling stood out significantly, but over time, other manufacturers like Honda with its CR-V and Mazda with the CX-50 adopted similar designs.

Inside, the angular theme continued with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts, bringing some intrigue to an otherwise straightforward interior. The overall layout was typical for vehicles of that era, with a prominent infotainment touchscreen and numerous physical buttons and knobs for core feature controls.

Materials quality in the RAV4 was average for its class and price point. There were numerous hard plastics, but most touchpoints were padded lightly. However, the base model and the new Woodland trim had a urethane steering wheel and center armrest, which felt rubbery and cheap. Thankfully, higher trims came with leather-wrapped steering wheels. The build quality was commendable; there were no noticeable creaks or squeaks when driving over rough roads.

In Michigan, we tested a 2024 Jeep Compass, initially mistaking a sleek Compass Altitude for our test vehicle. Realizing the error, we moved to a white Compass Sport with black plastic door handles and small wheels, a typical fleet vehicle. In this form, the Compass Sport lacked distinctive features, with only the seven-slot grille indicating it was a Jeep. The taillights and body shape were generic, similar to numerous other small crossovers. Unless outfitted as a Trailhawk with unique features like red tow hooks and revised bumpers, the Compass looked rather standard.

When fully loaded as a Limited trim, the 2024 Compass did shine with a refined black and gray interior offset by caramel leatherette. The redesigned cabin from 2022 featured large screens and superior fit and finish, elevating the Compass’s interior quality. In its base trim, the Compass had supportive cloth seats with blue stitching, a large 10-inch infotainment screen, and appropriately priced plastics. The urethane steering wheel was accented with silver plastic, adding a bit of style.

While the Compass's interior design had improved significantly in recent models, the exterior remained relatively unremarkable, lacking distinctiveness.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, producing a combined 219 horsepower. This setup, featuring a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels, with a second electric motor providing all-wheel drive (AWD), enabled the RAV4 to accelerate to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable figure within its class.

Compared to other RAV4 models, the Hybrid was quicker than the standard model, which took half a second longer to hit 60 mph. The plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime, however, could achieve the same in an impressive 5.5 seconds. Within the compact hybrid SUV segment, the Kia Sportage hybrid slightly outpaced the RAV4 Hybrid, while the Honda CR-V Hybrid was marginally slower, taking 8 seconds to reach 60 mph, making them evenly matched in terms of acceleration.

Braking in the RAV4 Hybrid was smooth, with regenerative braking initially engaging and seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes under more aggressive stops. The suspension efficiently smoothed out bumps and potholes, providing confident cornering without a sporty edge, appealing to most drivers for its balanced driving dynamics.

In 2024, the Jeep Compass shifted away from the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine to a detuned version of the Cherokee’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, offered a more lively performance, merging onto highways and navigating towns effortlessly, a significant improvement over its predecessor.

The Compass offered three driving modes—auto, snow, sand/mud—and a rear-axle disconnect system, optimizing traction and fuel efficiency. The Trailhawk trim included additional off-road features such as a low-range transfer case, rock driving mode, metal skid plates, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. Despite these features, steering and handling remained weak points, with play off-center and low grip compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. However, the ride quality was comfortable and well-damped.

Fuel economy for the Compass was EPA-estimated at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, comparable to its rivals.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided ample space in the front seats for larger passengers, with rear seats comfortably accommodating average-sized adults. While it offered slightly more rear headroom than the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, it had marginally less legroom, though these differences were negligible in practice. However, fitting a rear-facing infant seat might require adjusting the front seats. The rear seat cushions were somewhat low, which could reduce thigh support for taller passengers on longer journeys.

The RAV4 Hybrid boasted 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats, only slightly less than the non-hybrid variant. Compared to the Honda CR-V’s 39.5 cubic feet and the Kia Sportage’s 39.3 cubic feet, the difference was minimal. Interior storage was a strong suit for the RAV4, with a wide shelf in the dashboard, a phone tray in front of the center console, large cupholders, and a spacious center armrest bin. However, door pockets were average in size.

Utility and ease of use were strengths for the 2024 Jeep Compass. It featured clear analog gauges and a large color display, with controls for stereo and climate adjustments easily accessible. However, it lacked actual temperature readouts, using a gradient bar instead. Visibility was good, and headroom, without a sunroof, was spacious. Rear seats offered ample legroom and headroom, along with rear vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest, not always included in entry-level luxury SUVs.

Cargo space in the Compass measured 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet when folded, competitive within its segment. A folding manual front passenger seat in certain trims added versatility for carrying longer items.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a significantly improved infotainment system with modern graphics and logically arranged menus. The screen placement atop the dashboard minimized distractions. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch display, with higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but wireless charging was optional. Over-the-air software updates were supported, and connectivity included a Wi-Fi hotspot with remote monitoring and control capabilities. The top trim featured a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, while most trims came with a decent six-speaker setup.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen equipped with Uconnect 5 software, praised for its clarity and ease of use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, 4G Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports were standard, with factory navigation optional. A wireless charging pad was also available. The top trims featured a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel, with an optional Elite Group package offering various upgrades, including a heated steering wheel, power passenger seat, and foot-activated power tailgate. A nine-speaker Alpine stereo and semi-automated driving system, Active Driving Assist, were also optional.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall and side crash protection, and four stars for frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a Top Safety Pick with its highest score in most tests. The RAV4 came with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5, including features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

As of 2023, the 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by the NHTSA. The 2022 model received four stars overall, with five stars for side tests. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Compass a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system, with rain-sensing wipers standard on top trims.