2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid distinguished itself from its gas-powered counterpart with unique visual elements. It featured bright gray inserts along the sides and front lower bumper, and blue frames around the upgraded headlight clusters. The exclusive "Lagoon Blue" color added to its eye-catching appeal. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid boasted blue inserts and two-tone leather seats with blue contrast stitching, all standard. Despite its well-equipped nature, the hybrid's rear cargo space was compromised due to the battery placement, but it compensated with features like 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, and a winter windshield de-icer.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Compass mirrored the refined styling of the Grand Cherokee, offering a handsome appearance across its four core trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. The Compass Limited test vehicle was loaded with options, including a black-painted roof, panoramic sunroof, and premium sound system, totaling $39,755. Despite its upscale features, the Compass had a mix of high-quality materials and cost-cutting elements, leading to a somewhat disappointing interior experience. However, it was a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a more refined look and feel.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a gas-electric powertrain with a 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with two electric motors and an 8.8-kilowatt-hour battery, it offered an electric-only range of 17 miles. The hybrid's AWD system was as capable as any modern Subaru, providing confidence over rough terrains. However, its acceleration was underwhelming, with a 0-60 time of 8 seconds. The hybrid components added 500 pounds, affecting handling, but it excelled in off-road conditions with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode with hill-descent control. The Crosstrek Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 90 MPGe and a combined 35 mpg on gas.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, powered by a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, delivered 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Despite these figures, its performance was lackluster, with sluggish acceleration and a test average of 23.1 mpg, below the EPA's 25 mpg rating. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the automatic stop/start system affected air conditioning performance. On-road dynamics were compromised by heavy steering and a sensitive brake pedal. However, the Compass excelled off-road, especially in Trailhawk trim, with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and Rock driving mode. The Compass Limited test vehicle offered a simpler AWD system with Selec-Terrain traction options.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid's interior featured an electronic emergency brake, allowing for a more spacious layout with side-by-side cupholders. The upright seating position provided a commanding view, and rear seat space was ample even for taller passengers. However, the cargo area was reduced to 41 cubic feet due to the battery pack, compared to 55 cubic feet in the gas-powered version.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, equipped with the Luxury Seat Group, offered premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB port, and a power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space measured 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite its decent cargo capacity, the Compass had limited interior storage and awkwardly positioned cupholders.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and no lag. A color multi-information display atop the dash provided useful information, controlled by a steering wheel button.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive, though some features were buried in menus. Voice recognition worked well, and primary controls were separate from the display. The test vehicle included navigation and an Alpine premium audio system.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured standard safety equipment, including airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera. Subaru's EyeSight suite added forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. EyeSight provided semi-autonomous highway driving and alerted drivers if they were distracted at a stoplight.

The 2020 Jeep Compass extended its safety features to the base Sport trim, with optional packages adding adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. The systems performed adequately, though adaptive cruise control was overly sensitive. The Compass received Good ratings from the IIHS, except for headlight performance, while the NHTSA gave mixed ratings.