Compare the2024 Chevrolet TraxVS 2023 Jeep Compass

Both the Trax and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Trax’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Compass’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 21 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Trax’s reliability 40 points higher than the Compass.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the Trax gets better fuel mileage than the Compass (28 city/32 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

The Trax stops much shorter than the Compass:

For better traction, the Trax has larger standard tires than the Compass (225/60R17 vs. 215/65R17). The Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Compass (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The Trax’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass Trailhawk’s standard 65 series tires.

The Trax has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Compass doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Trax’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Compass (106.3 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Trax is .7 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the Compass.

The Trax ACTIV handles at .84 G’s, while the Compass Sport pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Trax ACTIV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 pounds less than the Jeep Compass.

The front grille of the Trax offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Compass doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Trax uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Compass doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Trax has .4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the Compass.

The Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Compass can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Trax’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Compass doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost SiriusXM Guardian can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its October 2023 issue and the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV won out over the Jeep Compass Sport.