Compare the2024 Audi Q3VS 2023 Jeep Compass

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Q3 and Compass have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Compass’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Compass doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, 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.

Both the Q3 and Compass have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Q3 has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Compass’ Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Q3 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Jeep Compass:

	Q3	Compass
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	39%	41%
Neck Stress	343 lbs.	445 lbs.
Neck Compression	35 lbs.	38 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	235/363 lbs.	326/489 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	36%
Neck Stress	186 lbs.	235 lbs.
Neck Compression	83 lbs.	92 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	261/249 lbs.	299/387 lbs.

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 Audi Q3 is safer than the Jeep Compass:

	Q3	Compass
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	102
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	134 lbs.
Hip Force	333 lbs.	335 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	632 lbs.	928 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	485 lbs.	663 lbs.

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

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 Audi Q3 is safer than the Compass:

	Q3	Compass
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.22 in	1.3 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis Force	1406 lbs.	1517 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	2.01 in	2.13 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	491 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.73 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	11 MPH	14 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Q3, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 4% less likely to roll over than the Compass, which received a three-star rating.

Warranty

The Q3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Compass’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Compass’ (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engines use 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.

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 Q3’s reliability 23 points higher than the Compass.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 first among small premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Compass isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (228 vs. 200) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (251 vs. 221) than the Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q3 45 TFSI is faster than the Jeep Compass:

	Q3	Compass
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.3 sec	20.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	130 MPH	118 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Q3 has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (15.9 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Q3 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Compass:

	Q3	Compass
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.95 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.2 inches

The Q3’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 Q3 stops much shorter than the Compass:

	Q3	Compass
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	195 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	144 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	151 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the Compass (235/55R18 vs. 215/65R17). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Compass (255/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The Q3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass Trailhawk’s standard 65 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Compass 4x4’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Compass Sport/Latitude. The Q3’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Compass 4x4.

Suspension and Handling

The Q3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Compass’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q3’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Compass (105.5 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q3 is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Compass.

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the Compass Sport pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q3’s rear seats recline. The Compass’ rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Q3 is 1.9 inches lower than the Compass (17.5” vs. 19.4”). The Q3’s rear step up height is 2.7 inches lower than the Compass’ (18” vs. 20.7”).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Compass’ liftover is 31.1 inches.

The Q3’s cargo area is larger than the Compass’ in almost every dimension:

	Q3	Compass
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34”/65”	32.4”/65.7”
Max Width	54”	53.8”
Min Width	39”	38.1”
Height	28”	29.6”

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Q3. The Compass doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Q3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Q3 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 31% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

The Q3’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 Q3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Compass’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q3 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.

The Q3’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 Q3 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 Q3’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.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the Compass because typical repairs cost less on the Q3 than the Compass, including $86 less for a muffler and $126 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Compass isn't recommended.

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