Jeep Compass vs Volkswagen ID.4

The 2024 Jeep Compass was a sight to behold when it was tested in Michigan, the birthplace of Jeep's U.S. headquarters. The particular model tested, a Compass Altitude, stood out with its flashy red two-tone paint job and blacked-out trim. However, initial excitement was curbed when the tailgate wouldn’t open and the doors remained locked. The realization dawned that the actual test car was a more unassuming white Compass with black plastic door handles and small wheels—the kind often used by utility companies.

In its most basic form, the Compass Sport was almost invisible, blending in with a myriad of other compact SUVs. Only the seven-slot grille distinguished it as a Jeep. The body design shared elements with other vehicles, sporting U-shaped, cladded wheel wells. Without the distinctive red tow hooks, revised bumpers, and elevated stature of the Trailhawk model, the Compass' exterior looked generic.

However, when it came to the interior, the Compass did much better. The 2023 Compass Limited had an impressive cabin adorned with black and gray hues offset by caramel leatherette on the dash and doors. Even the base trim showcased quality with supportive cloth seats featuring blue stitching and textured crosshatch inserts. The door panels and dash also had a light gray cloth that added texture and contrast. Equipped with a 10-inch infotainment screen, supportive cloth seats, and urethane steering wheel, it provided a sense of style and modernity that was absent in older models. Despite its interior excellence, the Compass' exterior still lacked uniqueness, making it less recognizable as a Jeep from a distance.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, by contrast, was understated but elegant, staying true to Volkswagen's conservative design philosophy. This year, the AWD versions boasted standard 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim came with 21-inch wheels. The ID.4 lineup was split into two models: the ID.4 with a 62-kWh battery and the ID.4 Pro with an 82-kWh battery. The trims varied from the base to S and S Plus, supplemented by optional AWD for enhanced traction.

The ID.4 interiors saw notable updates, too. For 2024, the Cosmic Black (black and blue) or Galaxy (black and gray) artificial leather upholstery became available. With a new transmission shift stalk on the steering column, revised steering wheel controls, available ventilated seats, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system, the ID.4 Pro models appeared more polished. The 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system brought a modern touch to the cabin, improving user experience.

Though the interior design was initially an outlier when the ID.4 was launched in 2020, it had since become more mainstream. However, quirks like dual-function power window controls required adjustment time. The ID.4 turned itself on and off, an interesting feature that could complicate day-to-day usability.

The 2024 Jeep Compass saw improvements in its performance metrics, largely due to the new engine. The outdated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine was replaced with a turbocharged 2.0-liter Inline four-cylinder, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, allowed the Compass to perform better in town and on highways. Noise levels were reduced, as drivers no longer had to push the engine to its limits for power.

The Compass featured three driving modes—auto, snow, and sand/mud—allowing for optimized traction and torque distribution. The rear-axle disconnect helped save fuel by driving the front wheels primarily, although it reacted slowly under hard acceleration, which could cause wheelspin. The Compass Trailhawk model included additional features like a low-range transfer case, rock driving mode, metal skid plates, and higher ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capability. However, it came with a steep price of $7,000 more than the Sport trim.

Steering and handling were the Achilles' heel of the Compass. The steering felt loose off-center, and the handling was softer compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. Despite these shortcomings, the Compass delivered a comfortable and well-damped ride. Fuel economy came in at an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, placing it on par with most competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 was anything but compromised. The new rear electric motor equipped on single-motor Pro models produced 282 horsepower and an impressive 402 pound-feet of torque, propelling the ID.4 to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. This was a significant improvement over the 2023 model. The 62-kWh models still used the older motor but managed a respectable 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque.

The ID.4 Pro with AWD added a front motor, enhancing traction and bringing the power output to 335 hp and 402 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration improved to 4.9 seconds for a 0-60 mph sprint. RWD models offered a driving range of 291 miles, while AWD versions delivered 263 miles. The 62-kWh battery models could go up to 206 miles on a full charge.

The ID.4 supported 11-kW Level 2 home charging, allowing a full recharge in 6.25 to 8 hours, depending on the battery. It accepted DC fast charging at rates of 140 kW for the smaller battery and 175 kW for the larger one, completing a 10% to 80% charge in about 30 minutes. During the test drive in Pasadena, California, the ID.4 Pro S recorded an efficiency rate slightly better than the EPA rating. The vehicle accelerated smoothly, handled well on winding roads, and maintained a firm yet comfortable city ride.

Utility was one of the 2024 Jeep Compass' strong points. The cockpit featured clear analog gauges flanking a large color display, physical climate controls, and a standard PRNDL gear selector. However, one oddity was the lack of digital temperature readouts, which could have replaced the blue and red gradient bars for a more intuitive experience.

Both front and rear visibility were excellent. The lack of a sunroof provided increased front headroom, while rear seats also offered ample legroom and headroom. Rear passengers benefited from air vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest—a feature not common in luxury competitors. Storage was somewhat limited with smaller door pockets and central cubby but the cargo space was commendable: 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet when folded. A manual front passenger seat that also folded down allowed for transporting longer items.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 showcased several updates aimed at improving functionality and comfort. The transmission selector and wiper controls were repositioned, and lighting controls were grouped on a touch-sensing pad. The changes improved usability but occasionally caused unintended activations of features like the heated steering wheel.

The ID.4 Pro models featured a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an interface focused on improving user experience and night-time visibility with illuminated touch sliders. Ventilated front seats in the Pro S and Pro S Plus trims added to the comfort, particularly in warmer climates.

Front seats in the ID.4 were supportive and offered an excellent view. Heated front and rear seats, heated side mirrors, and a triple-zone climate control system enhanced comfort. While rear passengers had adequate legroom, the seating position was highly comfortable with good thigh support.

Cargo capacity in the ID.4 was impressive, with 30.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 64.2 cubic feet when folded down. The 60/40-split folding back seat included a center pass-through for longer items, and though the ID.4 lacked a front trunk, the available space was well-utilized.

The 2024 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 software, offering a slick, crisp, and responsive interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and USB-C ports were standard, while factory navigation and a wireless charging pad were optional. The 10.3-inch digital instrument panel with full-screen maps was standard on higher trims and optional on the Limited trim.

Higher trims could opt for the Elite Group package, which included features like live traffic navigation, power lumbar, heated steering wheel, power passenger seat, and a hands-free power tailgate. A semi-automated driving system, Active Driving Assist, was available but required the Elite Group package. A panoramic moonroof and nine-speaker Alpine stereo were also optional on higher trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 saw significant technological upgrades. The new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system came standard in Pro models, featuring a simplified user interface. The navigation system included a battery preconditioning feature for efficient fast charging during long trips. A Harman Kardon nine-speaker premium sound system was available on the S Plus trim.

The new infotainment setup was intuitive, with quick pairing for Apple CarPlay and a customizable layout. Voice commands were moderately successful with the digital assistant 'Ida,' facilitating climate control and navigation to specific locations. Volkswagens' IQ.Drive suite included advanced driver assistance systems like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing safety and ease of use.

As of the last update, the 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by the NHTSA. Its identical 2022 counterpart earned four out of five stars, and the IIHS awarded the 2023 Compass a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 also excelled in safety features. Every model included a post-collision braking system, IQ.Drive suite, and Travel Assist. The emergency assist feature could bring the vehicle to a safe stop if the driver became unresponsive, while the Travel Assist handled semi-autonomous driving smoothly.

Additionally, the ID.4 offered a semi-autonomous parking assist system with Memory Parking, which could save up to five parking maneuvers. In crash testing, the ID.4 received favorable ratings from the NHTSA, although the IIHS ratings were incomplete.