It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you’re shopping for a new SUV, so the best thing to do is compare two similar models and see how they measure up. Sometimes you’ll find quite a few similarities, as with the case when comparing 2020 Jeep Compass vs 2020 Honda CR-V, but it’s the differences that make it easier to decide which model is right for you.
The 2020 Jeep Compass and the 2020 Honda CR-V are excellent vehicles, but when it comes to value for money, technology, towing capacity, and off-roading capabilities, there’s no real comparison. The Jeep Compass also costs thousands less than the Honda CR-V, giving it excellent value. If you like going off the beaten path, look no further than the Jeep Compass – particularly the Trail Rated Trackhawk trim.
Performance and Handling
When it comes to purchasing a new SUV, two features you’ll want to consider are performance and handling. While some favor SUVs because of their seating capacity, others want a vehicle capable of towing a motorcycle, fishing boat, or even a small camping trailer for weekend getaways in the great outdoors. The Jeep Compass features a powerful 2.4L engine with 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. With a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs, it’s perfect for helping you bring your toys with you into the wild.
The Honda CR-V has a 1.5L engine with 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. But its towing capacity is only 1,500 lbs, so you won’t be able to haul as much as you can with the Jeep Compass. Despite the Honda CR-V having a slightly more powerful drivetrain, the Jeep Compass is still the clear victor for performance and handling. Further, the Compass Trailhawk is the only Trail Rated SUV in its class, while the Honda CR-V doesn’t hold up to off-roading’s rigorous demands.
If parallel parking is the bane of your existence, the Jeep Compass might be the perfect SUV for you. It has a much smaller turning radius than the Honda CR-V, so it’s easier to handle when it comes to maneuvering in and out of tight parking spaces. This improved maneuverability also helps out when taking the Compass off-road along narrow trails.
Safety and Comfort
The most important feature in an automobile is the safety it affords its passengers. We’ll take a look at some incredible safety features available on both models. You’ll find brake assist, which is a safety feature that determines whether a driver is attempting an emergency stop by gauging brake application’s speed and force. In the event of an emergency, Brake assist applies additional brake pressure.
Both models have backup cameras, which are designed to prevent rear collisions by eliminating the rear blind spot. Additionally, both models have blind-spot monitors, sensors that alert drivers to the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes using an audible or visual alarm. You’ll also get adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance between your car and other cars on the road – a great feature when driving on the open road.
One of our favorite features provided by both models is cross-traffic alert. This feature is designed to alert drivers to the traffic they may not otherwise see approaching, reducing the possibility of an accident. The combination of lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist, which alerts drivers when they’re about to veer out of their lane and gently guides the vehicle back into the proper lane to prevent collisions, makes for a safer driving experience.
You’ll also find rear parking aid, which makes backing into and out of parking spaces much easier by alerting drivers to the presence of other cars and objects nearby. A useful tire pressure monitor keeps tabs on the air pressure in your tires and triggers an alarm if air pressure drops below the recommended level. All of the above features are incredibly useful in creating a safer driving experience, so the Jeep Compass and the Honda CR-V are roughly on par when it comes to the safety features they offer.
The Jeep Compass and the Honda CR-V are both safe, dependable vehicles, but the Jeep Compass offers something taller occupants won’t find on the Honda CR-V: more space. You can fit the same number of people in both the Jeep Compass and the Honda CR-V, but when it comes to interior comfort, taller drivers and passengers will prefer the Jeep Compass. The Jeep Compass offers more legroom and headspace in the front seats, making for a more comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Technology and Infotainment
Connectivity technology and infotainment capabilities are quickly becoming essential in cars, trucks, and SUVs these days, and both models offer a plethora of great features. However, the Jeep Compass has an important feature the Honda CR-V doesn’t offer – a wifi hotspot. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the impressive features available on both the Jeep Compass and the Honda CR-V.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay allow you to connect your Android or Apple device to your vehicle, so you’ll have access to your favorite apps and music while driving. Additional entertainment is also available with SiriusXM satellite radio, which provides countless channels from music to new no matter where your travels take you. And while you can use your phone to provide navigation through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, both vehicles also offer built-in navigation systems to help you get where you’re going.
As with their available safety features, the Jeep Compass and the Honda CR-V have similar features when it comes to technology and infotainment. However, the Jeep Compass against takes the lead, this time thanks to its wifi hotspot, meaning you can use your SUV to stream music and video or browse the internet on the go. A wifi hotspot might be a must-have for some drivers, but in our opinion, the most important difference is that the Jeep Compass costs a lot less than the Honda CR-V for the same features. The lower price point makes it the clear winner in our book.
And the Winner Is…
While the Honda CR-V is a fantastic SUV, it lacks several essential features the Jeep Compass has. The Jeep Compass and Honda CR-V have comparable drivetrains and safety features, but the Honda CR-V is lacking when it comes to off-roading capabilities. It simply wasn’t built to be driven off the beaten path in the manner of the Jeep. The 2,000 lbs towing capacity of the Jeep Compass makes it an excellent option for campers, fishers, motorcycle enthusiasts, and anyone else who needs to be able to pull a light trailer.
Both models have similar technology and infotainment features, but the addition of a built-in 4G LTE wifi hotspot makes the Jeep Compass more appealing for technology lovers. The Jeep Compass is also the better performer when it comes to turning radius, and it gives you a bit more legroom and headroom than the Honda CR-V, making it a better option for taller occupants. We’re not saying the Honda CR-V isn’t a great vehicle, but the Jeep Compass offers a few added features, and it costs a lot less.
