2023 Jeep Compass vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Jeep Compass presented a more refined and upscale appearance compared to its rugged predecessors. It shared design elements with the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families, offering a sophisticated look with new 17-inch wheel designs for the Sport and Latitude models, and gloss black wheels for the Trailhawk. The Compass lineup included various trims, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, with prices ranging from just under $32,000 to over $40,000. The Limited trim, with its Granite Crystal paint and optional 19-inch wheels, resembled a scaled-down Grand Cherokee, while the interior featured a two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents, digital displays, and metallic trim.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a larger and more spacious vehicle, built on the TNGA-K platform. It shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, offering a crossover design with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Grand Highlander stretched 201.4 inches in length, providing ample interior space. Its styling was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with options for Softex synthetic leather or real leather upholstery, and a range of comfort features like heated and ventilated seats.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally addressed its powertrain issues with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD system, offered improved performance. The Trailhawk version featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a 20:1 crawl ratio, making it capable off-road. However, the engine prioritized fuel economy, resulting in a combined EPA rating of 27 mpg, though real-world testing showed 23.8 mpg. The Compass provided a more enjoyable driving experience than previous models, with better grip and quieter operation, but it still exhibited significant body motions on uneven surfaces.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 horsepower, a 2.5-liter hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 combined net horsepower. The Hybrid Max delivered impressive acceleration with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander prioritized comfort over sporty performance, with solid brakes and adequate acceleration. It featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—and additional modes for AWD-equipped models. While the steering felt numb, the Grand Highlander provided a smooth and comfortable ride.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a comfortable interior with seating for adults in both rows. Despite its narrow design, it provided decent comfort for four people. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. Higher trims offered leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated options. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander excelled in interior space, measuring 201.4 inches long with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. It offered 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, with 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Grand Highlander provided ample head, leg, and shoulder room in all rows, making it comfortable for adults, even in the third row. Its spacious interior and generous cargo capacity made it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. It offered over-the-air updates and optional features like a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, navigation, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Limited trim included Alexa Built-in technology and a parking assist system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available through a connected-services subscription. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience. Toyota's tech offerings had improved significantly, but subscription options required careful consideration.

The 2023 Jeep Compass included standard safety features like drowsy driver detection, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control and Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. However, the Compass had not yet received crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The updated lane-departure alert could identify three-dimensional objects, reducing false warnings. As a new model, the Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.