Compare the2024 Dodge HornetVS 2024 Jeep Compass

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Hornet offers optional Rear Park-Assist with Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Hornet 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, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 19th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 5 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (268 vs. 200) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 88 more horsepower (288 vs. 200) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 221) than the Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Hornet is faster than the Jeep Compass:

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet R/T running on electricity gets better mileage than the Compass (77 city/77 hwy MPGe vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet R/T 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Compass (29 city/29 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Compass can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Hornet R/T’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Compass doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Hornet R/T has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. 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.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Hornet, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Compass.

For better stopping power the Hornet R/T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Compass:

The Hornet stops much shorter than the Compass:

The Hornet GT’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 Hornet’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Compass Limited’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Hornet offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Compass’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Hornet offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Compass’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Hornet is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Compass.

The Hornet R/T handles at .87 G’s, while the Compass Sport pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

The Hornet has .5 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room and 4.3 inches more rear hip room than the Compass.

The Hornet’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Hornet 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 Hornet’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 Hornet the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Hornet’s standard Keyless Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Compass only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited.

The Hornet’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.

The Hornet 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 Hornet’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.