Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2022 Jeep Compass

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Compass doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL R-Line has standard Maneuver Braking 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.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the Jeep Compass:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Tiguan, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 3.4% to 3.8% less likely to roll over than the Compass, which received a three-star rating.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Compass is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Compass’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Compass’ (7 vs. 5 years).

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Compass’ engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Tiguan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (184 vs. 177) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 172) than the Compass’ 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Tiguan is faster than the Jeep Compass:

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan S FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Compass FWD (24 city/31 hwy vs. 22 city/31 hwy).

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (15.3 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (15.9 vs. 13.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (7 out of 10) than the Jeep Compass (6). This means the Tiguan produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Compass every 15,000 miles.

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

The Tiguan stops much shorter than the Compass:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Compass (255/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass 4x4’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan S has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Compass Sport. The Tiguan SEL R-Line’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 Tiguan’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Compass (109.9 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tiguan is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Compass.

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the Compass’ (58% to 42%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

The Tiguan 4Motion® handles at .82 G’s, while the Compass Trailhawk pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tiguan 4Motion® executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Compass can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 24.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Compass (123.9 vs. 99.6).

The Tiguan has .4 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Compass.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tiguan’s middle row seats recline. The Compass’ rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Tiguan is 2 inches lower than the Compass (17.4” vs. 19.4”). The Tiguan’s rear step up height is 3.2 inches lower than the Compass’ (17.5” vs. 20.7”).

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the Compass.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Tiguan easier. The Tiguan’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Compass’ liftover is 31.1 inches.

The Tiguan’s cargo area is larger than the Compass’ in every dimension:

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Tiguan’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Compass doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Tiguan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

The Tiguan 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 Tiguan’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.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan SE/SEL/SEL Premium the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Compass doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Tiguan’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Compass’ headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Tiguan has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. 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 Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line’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 Tiguan SEL Premium is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Compass’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the Compass because typical repairs cost less on the Tiguan than the Compass, including $12 less for front brake pads.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Jeep Compass by 25% during the 2021 model year.