Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 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 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 Tiguan and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 3.6% 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 128 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 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).

The Tiguan has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks 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.

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 SEL R-Line has standard 20-inch wheels. The Compass’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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 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.

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 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.

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Compass doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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 2402 units during 2022.