Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2023 Jeep Compass

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Crosstrek Limited has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Crosstrek 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Jeep Compass:

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

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 Subaru Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 4.8% less likely to roll over than the Compass, which received a three-star rating.

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 Crosstrek’s reliability 50 points higher than the Compass.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Subaru higher than Jeep.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Compass doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the Compass:

The Crosstrek has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (16.6 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Crosstrek has a standard locking fuel door The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Compass. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Crosstrek offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Compass doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Crosstrek offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Compass doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Crosstrek stops much shorter than the Compass:

For better traction, the Crosstrek has larger tires than the Compass (225/60R17 vs. 215/65R17).

The Crosstrek’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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Crosstrek’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Compass (104.9 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The Crosstrek Premium handles at .81 G’s, while the Compass Trailhawk pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Compass (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Compass Trailhawk (8.7 vs. 8.6 inches).

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the Jeep Compass.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Crosstrek CVT (except Manual) has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Compass uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Crosstrek has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 6 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Compass.

The front step up height for the Crosstrek is 1.9 inches lower than the Compass (17.5” vs. 19.4”). The Crosstrek’s rear step up height is 2.7 inches lower than the Compass’ (18” vs. 20.7”).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The Compass doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Compass. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Crosstrek Base). 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.

The Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Crosstrek Limited’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.

The Crosstrek’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.

The Crosstrek’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Compass Sport doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek will cost $410 less than the Compass over a five-year period.

The Crosstrek will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek will retain 57.4% to 60.77% of its original price after five years, while the Compass only retains 48.2% to 49.34%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Crosstrek is less expensive to operate than the Compass because typical repairs cost less on the Crosstrek than the Compass, including $75 less for a muffler, $12 less for front brake pads and $11 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Crosstrek will be $4216 to $8863 less than for the Jeep Compass.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Compass isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2017 issue and the Subaru Crosstrek Limited won out over the Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Jeep Compass by 80% during 2022.