2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Jeep Compass

The 2023 Jeep Compass presented a more refined and upscale design, moving away from the rugged aesthetic traditionally associated with Jeep. 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 North models, and gloss black wheels for the Trailhawk. The Compass was available in seven trim levels in Canada, with the Trailhawk trims being the most suitable for off-road adventures. Despite its upscale appearance, the Compass was considered expensive for a small SUV, with prices ranging from over $35,000 to more than $45,000, excluding additional fees.

The test vehicle, a Limited trim, was priced at $54,775, featuring Granite Crystal paint and 19-inch wheels, resembling a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents exuded a sense of luxury, enhanced by digital displays and metallic trim. However, the high price tag made it less appealing compared to similarly priced small luxury SUVs. While the Compass was easy to recommend at $35,000, its $55,000 sticker price made it a less attractive option.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic burly, body-on-frame look, with larger all-terrain tires on models like the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392. A redesigned grille, first seen on the 2023 20th Anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon, was introduced, allowing for better airflow. The antenna was integrated into the windshield to prevent snagging during off-roading. The Wrangler offered a variety of roof options, including soft-top, hard top, and power-retractable sunroof, with removable doors and foldable windshields for a customizable experience.

The Wrangler was built for rugged adventures, with options like full doors, half doors, or tube doors from Mopar. The 2024 model year introduced 10 new wheel designs, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its rugged nature, the Wrangler's ride quality on pavement was bumpy due to its solid front axle, though sound deadening material improved cabin quietness. A WARN winch became available as a factory-installed option on Rubicon models, adding to its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally addressed its long-standing powertrain issues with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 rpm to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD system, the Compass offered improved performance. The Trailhawk version featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a 20:1 crawl ratio, Rock driving mode, and enhanced off-road capabilities.

During testing in Malibu, California, the Compass Limited demonstrated improved on-road performance, while the Trailhawk excelled off-road. The new turbo engine was quieter and smoother, though not as powerful as in the larger Cherokee. Fuel economy was rated at 8.8 L/100 km, with real-world testing averaging 9.9 L/100 km. Despite its improvements, the Compass's tall and narrow design contributed to significant body motions on uneven surfaces, and the AWD system was slow to engage.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, a plug-in hybrid version with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, a 3.6-litre V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.4-litre V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Various transfer cases provided different levels of off-road capability, with the Rubicon trim featuring the Rock-Trac transfer case.

The Wrangler 4xe PHEV was a standout, offering 35 kilometres of all-electric range and matching the 392 trim in torque. The 4xe Rubicon featured locking differentials and an Offroad+ button for enhanced off-road performance. The Wrangler's solid axles provided excellent articulation, while BF Goodrich KO2 tires offered strong off-road grip. The Willys trim level added Offroad+ mode, 33-inch tires, and rock rails, providing capability without the full Rubicon price.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a comfortable interior for adults in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims offered leather seats, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The Limited trim provided a luxurious experience, though the centre console's hard plastic edge was uncomfortable. Rear seat space was adequate, with generous foot room and supportive seat cushions.

Interior storage was acceptable, with a small bin under the centre armrest and an available wireless smartphone charging pad. The Compass offered 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded. Some models featured a foot-activated power liftgate and a foldable front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler's big news was its upgraded towing capacity, now rated at 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) for specific models. Inside, heated seats and a heated steering wheel were available, with new 12-way power adjustable front seats. The Wrangler 4xe featured a 30-amp Power Box for powering accessories. Despite its rugged nature, the Wrangler's ride quality on pavement was bumpy, though sound deadening material improved cabin quietness.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and over-the-air updates. Depending on the trim, it paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, embedded navigation, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Limited trim included Alexa Built-in technology, which was responsive and accurate. A parking assist system and surround-view camera were also available.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Uconnect5, with optional navigation. The system was faster and more user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Off-Road Pages provided detailed data, and new features included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and user profile storage.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder, with standard ADAS features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims. The NHTSA and IIHS had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2023 Compass at the time of review.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced first- and second-row side-curtain airbags, with forward collision warning standard on most models. Advanced driver aids were optional, with no lane-keeping assist available. The 2023 Wrangler received mixed ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but the addition of side curtain airbags for 2024 was expected to improve safety ratings.