Compare the2024 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2023 Jeep Compass

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Crosstrek Limited/Wilderness 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Compass:

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Compass last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

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 has a standard 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.

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

The Crosstrek’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Compass are solid, not vented.

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 1.3 inches longer than on the Compass (105.1 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The Crosstrek 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 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (28.2 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Compass Trailhawk’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.3 feet).

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 Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the Compass Trailhawk (9.3 vs. 8.6 inches).

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 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 front grille of the Crosstrek uses 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 Crosstrek has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room, 6 inches more rear hip room and .2 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). Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Compass is only 2000 pounds. The Crosstrek offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

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.

The Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Crosstrek’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 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Compass and isn’t available on the Compass Sport.

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.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2024 issue and they ranked the Subaru Crosstrek higher than the Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

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