Compare the2023 Mazda CX-50VS 2022 Jeep Compass

The Mazda CX-50 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Compass doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus has standard Smart Brake Support-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Compass.

The CX-50’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Compass doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-50 and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

The CX-50’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (187 vs. 177) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 172) than the Compass’ 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 79 more horsepower (256 vs. 177) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 172) than the Compass’ 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the Compass:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Compass doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-50 has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (15.8 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the CX-50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Compass:

For better traction, the CX-50 has larger standard tires than the Compass (225/65R17 vs. 215/65R16). The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Compass (245/45R20 vs. 235/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-50 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Compass Sport. The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Compass 4x4.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-50’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the Compass (110.8 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CX-50 is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Compass.

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Compass (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-50 has .1 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear hip room than the Compass.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume than the Compass with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 27.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-50 Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Compass doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-50’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Compass 4x4 is only 2000 pounds. The CX-50 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Compass uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Compass doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-50’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Compass’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the CX-50’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-50 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Compass doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The CX-50’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Compass’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The CX-50 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Compass has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited.

The Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-50 Turbo’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the CX-50 Premium/Turbo is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Compass’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CX-50’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Compass offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.