Jeep Compass vs Subaru Crosstrek is a head-to-head match of two popular compact SUVs. Both cars promise good looks, comfy seats, and daily use ease.
We look at design, power, fuel use, price, space, and safety. By the end, you can pick the right SUV for you.
Design and Comfort of Jeep Compass vs Subaru Crosstrek
The Jeep Compass sports a bold front grille and round headlights. It gives a sturdy feel. Inside, you sit a bit higher than in many cars. You get a clear view of the road. The cabin uses hard plastic and some soft touch spots. The seats feel firm. They give good support on short and long drives.
The Subaru Crosstrek shows off a rugged look. The Crosstrek sits on a lifted suspension. You get about 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The cabin has a simple layout. The dash holds big knobs for climate controls. You also get a touchscreen that sits tall on the dash. The seats in the Crosstrek feel soft. They soak up bumps well. Overall, both SUVs give a comfy ride. The Compass leans more urban, while the Crosstrek leans more adventure.
Engine and Performance of Jeep Compass vs Subaru Crosstrek
The Jeep Compass features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, designed to provide strong performance and responsive driving. It makes 200 horsepower. Jeep pairs it with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Compass steers with ease in city roads. It also takes dirt roads with a firm grip. The Compass offers four-wheel drive. You can choose it on higher trims like the Trailhawk. It also tows up to 2,000 pounds. This boost helps if you need to pull a small trailer.
The Subaru Crosstrek comes standard with a 2.0-liter boxer engine that makes 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque . You can upgrade to a 2.5-liter boxer engine. This engine makes 182 horsepower. The CVT gearbox offers smooth shifts. The Crosstrek holds the road well in rain and snow. It also handles light off-road tracks. The two engine options give you a choice between better fuel use (with the 2.0-liter) or more power (with the 2.5-liter).
Fuel Economy
The Jeep Compass shows modest fuel numbers. It offers up to 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. You get a combined 27 mpg. These numbers hold for all trims. The Trailhawk trim can dip a bit under heavy load. Overall, the Compass keeps its thirst at bay for its size.
The Subaru Crosstrek outshines the Compass in fuel use. The base Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter engine scores up to 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. That gives about 29 mpg combined. Even the more powerful 2.5-liter engine still hits about 27 city and 33 highway mpg on most trims. The Wilderness trim, built for rough trails, drops slightly to about 25 city and 29 highway mpg. For daily travel, the Crosstrek gives better range and fewer stops at the pump.
Space and Cargo
Jeep Compass offers up to 59.8 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded. With seats up, you get about 27.2 cubic feet. The Compass holds a good amount of gear for a weekend trip. The boxy shape helps stack items. Rear seat passengers get 39.6 inches of legroom.
The Subaru Crosstrek offers a maximum cargo capacity of up to 55.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. Upright, you see about 20.8 cubic feet of space. You also get a flat load floor, making it easy to slide heavy items in. Rear legroom sits at 36.5 inches. The Crosstrek can carry bikes on its roof and handle gear in the back.
Price and Value of Jeep Compass vs Subaru Crosstrek
The 2025 Jeep Compass starts at $25,900 for the base Sport trim. The top Trailhawk trim runs about $32,990. Most buyers choose the Latitude or Limited trims in the $27,000–$30,000 range. Jeep packs in Uconnect 5 NAV with a 10-inch touchscreen and an Alpine premium audio system on higher trims.
The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek base trim starts at $26,560. The Premium trim is about $27,810. Higher trims like Limited and Sport go up to $32,000 or more. Subaru adds EyeSight Driver Assist, STARLINK multimedia, and dual-function X-MODE on select trims. The Crosstrek comes with all-wheel drive as standard. This is a plus if you live in a place with snow or rain.
Safety and Tech
Jееp Compass offеrs standard safеty fеaturеs likе blind-spot monitoring and rеar cross-path dеtеction on most trims. Highеr trims add adaptivе cruisе control and lanе dеparturе warning. You also gеt trailеr sway control.
Subaru Crosstrеk shinеs in safеty. It scorеs 5-Star Ovеrall Vеhiclе Scorе from NHTSA and еarns top picks from Consumеr Rеports. Thе standard EyеSight Drivеr Assist systеm includеs advancеd fеaturеs such as adaptivе cruisе control, prе-collision braking, and lanе kееp assist to еnhancе safеty and drivеr confidеncе. STARLINK Safеty and Sеcurity adds automatic collision notification and stolеn vеhiclе rеcovеry.
Which One Should You Pick?
Both SUVs aim at buyers who want a small, easy-to-drive SUV. The Jeep Compass wins if you want a more polished cabin and a turbo engine feel. It also tows more and has a higher cargo volume. The Subaru Crosstrek wins if you want standard all-wheel drive, better fuel use, and top safety scores. The Crosstrek also sits higher from the ground, making it more ready for light off-roading.
Conclusion
Thе dеcision bеtwееn thе Jееp Compass vs Subaru Crosstrеk dеpеnds on your individual prioritiеs. Thе Compass offеrs grеatеr еnginе powеr and morе cargo spacе, making it a strong option for thosе who valuе pеrformancе and utility. The Crosstrek brings better fuel use and off-road guts. Both stand strong in safety and comfort.
Pick the Compass if you need a city-friendly ride with towing ease. Pick the Crosstrek if you want more miles per gallon and a trusty all-wheel drive system. In the end, either SUV will serve you well on roads and trails alike.
