Cargo capacity, safety, and overall style steer car buyers in the direction of SUVs, perhaps now more than ever before. With the abundance of safety features, a variety of customization options, and impressive performance and handling, the sport utility vehicle is in high demand. If you’re shopping for an SUV, you may be able to tell that there are a plethora of options. Two popular options to compare are the 2020 Jeep Compass vs 2020 Mazda CX-5, two small SUVs. Both are worthy adversaries, but in the end, which one offers performance, power, and reliability?
2020 Jeep Compass: An Overview
The stylish Jeep Compass that more and more car buyers have come to know and love makes quite a first impression. Offering a comfortable ride with loads of connectivity options, the 2020 Jeep Compass is a fun and sturdy option when it comes to compact SUVs. Built for a good time, the Jeep Compass has magnificent off-roading capabilities, as well as available safety and security technology designed to think ahead and protect you from the unexpected. When it comes to spontaneity, the Jeep Compass is the perfect companion.
Features and Benefits
The Jeep Compass offers a sleek design with an available black roof and upgraded wheel options. As far as what’s under the hood, the 2020 Compass boasts a 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and an estimated fuel economy of 23 MPG city and 32 MPG highway, which is pretty standard for comparable vehicles in its class. When it comes to convenience, the Compass offers many features you can expect, like adaptive cruise control and rear parking aid, plus other perks, like keyless entry and a heated steering wheel.
As far as infotainment is concerned, the 2020 Compass offers optional smart device integration, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and more. Optional leather seats and heated front seats are also available to help you customize your ride perfectly. Safety features included in the 2020 Compass are:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Lane keeping assist
- Cross-traffic alert
As with anything, there are benefits and limitations. Let’s discuss both so that you can get a better idea of whether or not the 2020 Compass will work for you.
2020 Jeep Compass: Pros and Cons
Although the 2020 Compass offers a stellar interior package, complete with an impressive infotainment system, it lacks a few of the advanced safety features that come standard in other comparable models. However, it is extremely capable when it comes to off-roading ability. No other vehicle in its class can come close to its Trail Ready Trailhawk trim.
When it comes to a compact SUV, the 2020 Compass makes a good first impression with most of the features you would expect to find in an SUV of its class. It offers a variety when it comes to interior options and tech, but lacks in its overall reliability and engineering. With a solid fuel economy, the Compass is a fun vehicle to have for both everyday use and weekend activities.
2020 Mazda CX-5: An Overview
Referred to as the “most powerful CX-5 ever” the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is a trendy compact crossover vehicle with impressive power and upgraded interior features. This “lifestyle vehicle” offers a classy style and a smooth ride. With more options available when it comes to safety and connectivity than other SUVs in its class, the 2020 CX-5 is a step above the competition.
Features and Benefits
The 2020 CX-5 differs from the Jeep Compass in that it is available in five distinct trims, which are:
- Sport
- Touring
- Grand Touring
- Grand Touring Reserve
- Signature
With the Sport trim being the most basic, you can expect to see more and more upgrades as you explore the other models, the Signature being the most luxurious. The 2020 CX-5 quite literally has a style to suit virtually everyone. This compact SUV is available with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 186 hp or a 2.5 L turbocharged engine with 250 hp for those who want a bit more power. When it comes to fuel economy, the base engine performs at 25 MPG city and 31 MPG highway while the turbocharged option performs at 22 MPG city and 27 MPG highway.
Perhaps the most impressive features can be found inside the vehicle, especially with the Signature series. The Signature design not only features Nappa leather seats and ambient lighting, it also includes plenty of premium features throughout, like genuine layered wood trim. Safety features are among the best in its class, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) giving it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars in crash tests. All CX-5 models come equipped with forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Just like the Compass, there are things we love about the CX-5 and things we wish were a bit more advanced.
2020 Mazda CX-5: Pros and Cons
It’s pretty apparent, upon first glance, that the 2020 CX-5 is an attractive vehicle, but with a smaller interior than other SUVs in its class, it can become cramped if you’re hauling a lot of items or passengers. Above-average handling makes this car fun to drive, but the base model’s small engine is known to be a bit sluggish in performance. And although the infotainment system is impressive, the voice-recognition feature could use a tune-up.
If you’re looking for an ultra-modern and upscale-looking SUV, the 2020 CX-5 delivers that. Easy on the eyes and offering a variety of options to choose from, you’re able to customize this SUV to fit your needs. But if you’re looking for a rugged vehicle that you can take off-road or haul your gear to a remote camping spot, then you should probably look elsewhere because the CX-5 is happiest on smooth city streets.
2020 Jeep Compass vs. 2020 Mazda CX-5
Although very similar when it comes to fuel economy and performance, the Mazda CX-5 offers a more cutting-edge design with overall higher safety ratings across the board than the Jeep Compass. Parking is made easier in the Compass with its shorter design, and as far as overall handling goes, both SUVs perform virtually the same. The Mazda CX-5 does come with a slightly higher price tag; however, there are more options to customize this vehicle than what you get with the Jeep Compass.
Overall, the Compass has less horsepower than the CX-5, and due to its lower torque engine, the Compass takes a backseat to the CX-5 when it comes to power. Both offer the same amount of seating space, as well as cargo space, and you can expect the same basic warranties available with both models.
The Final Take-Away
If you’re shopping for a compact SUV, the Jeep Compass and Mazda CX-5 are similar in size and offer many of the features you can expect to find in SUVs of this particular class. The main difference is going to come down to overall appearance, options, and purpose. While both will fit the needs of the average driver fairly well, they excel in different areas.
For those looking for a sleeker, more luxurious option, the CX-5 offers up a pretty attractive ride. However, the Compass is a staple for those looking for a sturdy off-roading vehicle, perfect for whatever weekend adventures await. With its rugged design and upgraded Trailhawk trim, there is simply no vehicle in this segment that can go head to head with the 2020 Jeep Compass.
