Jeep Compass vs Chevy Equinox

The Equinox’s only engine is a turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower. It comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission. By comparison, the Compass has a standard 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine with best-in-class 200 horsepower, best-in-class 221lb-ft of torque, and a standard 8-speed automatic transmission.

At its strongest, the Compass can tow up to 2,000 lbs. While the Equinox is also mighty in this respect, it can’t handle as much as the Compass, as it can tow up to 1,500 lbs.

Both cars handle well and offer smooth rides on city streets. If you want to go off-road driving, though, check out the Jeep Compass Trailhawk trim. This trim is specifically designed with the unique challenges of off-road driving in mind. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk has a standard Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System, which adapts your driving to off-road conditions.

These modes include Rock, Sand/Mud, Snow, and Auto, all of which are able to help you stay balanced in specific conditions and circumstances. To further enhance your off-road adventures, the Compass features an available Low Range Transmission/PTU 4x4 system with a 20:1 crawl ratio. Plus, heated exterior mirrors can keep fog and frost away regardless of the weather.

Unfortunately, the Chevy Equinox isn’t as well designed for off-roading, leaving it without a similar water-fording feature.

Both the 2025 Jeep Compass and Chevrolet Equinox have made significant strides in integrating advanced technology into their vehicles. The Compass features the Uconnect 5 system, boasting a 10.1-inch high-definition touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. It also offers Amazon Alexa compatibility, allowing remote vehicle control, and an available premium Alpine audio system for an enhanced listening experience.

The Equinox, redesigned for 2025, includes a Google-based infotainment system with an 11.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and options for heated rear seats, a video rearview camera, and a panoramic sunroof.

When it comes to safety, the Jeep Compass and Chevy Equinox are pillars of the automotive industry, each offering many features that can help you stay safe no matter the situation. These SUVs feature several similar features, including emergency braking, lane keeping assists, blind spot monitoring, etc.

While both vehicles offer robust safety features, the Jeep Compass provides certain advanced technologies that the Equinox does not:

• Active Driving Assist System: The Compass's available hands-free driving capability, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, offers a higher level of driving assistance compared to the Equinox's standard safety features.
• High-Strength Steel Body Structure: The Compass's use of high-strength steel enhances crash protection and vehicle dynamics, contributing to overall occupant safety.

One significant feature of the Jeep Compass is Drowsy Driver Detection. It monitors vehicle movements and driver interactions to identify signs of drowsiness. By tracking lane position, steering patterns, and speed, the system detects behaviors indicative of fatigue, such as lane drifting or inconsistent speed.

Upon recognizing these patterns, it delivers audible and visual warnings, advising the driver to take a break, thereby reducing the risk of accidents related to driver fatigue.

While the Equinox is a safe vehicle to drive, it doesn’t offer a feature that detects drowsiness. This adds to the versatility of the Compass, making it a safer vehicle to drive for many drivers.