2024 Jeep Compass vs 2025 Porsche Cayenne

The 2024 Jeep Compass was tested in Michigan, where it initially presented some confusion due to its generic appearance. The test vehicle, a white Compass with black plastic door handles and small wheels, resembled a typical fleet vehicle, lacking distinctive Jeep characteristics. The Compass Sport trim, in particular, was noted for its invisibility, with only the seven-slot grille hinting at its Jeep lineage. Its exterior design was described as generic, sharing similarities with other small crossovers like the Toyota RAV4. However, the interior of the Compass, especially in the 2023 Limited trim, was praised for its design and quality, featuring a black and gray colour scheme with caramel leatherette accents. The base trim offered supportive cloth seats with blue stitching and a well-designed dashboard, although the exterior design was criticized for lacking uniqueness.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, available in both standard SUV and sporty Coupe forms, offered a range of trim levels, each with unique exterior touches. The GTS trim, in particular, featured high gloss black trim, larger air intakes, and tinted headlights, complemented by red brake calipers and 21-inch wheels. The Cayenne Coupe boasted an adaptive rear spoiler, while the base model had smaller wheels and satin black trim. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from colour choices to seat belts, with options for custom paint jobs and various interior materials. The cabin layout was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features, and the centre console offered ample storage space. The Cayenne's interior was described as well-thought-out, with the only criticism being the easily movable centre console.

The 2024 Jeep Compass featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Compass offered improved performance over its predecessor. It included three driving modes—auto, snow, and sand/mud—and a rear-axle disconnect for fuel efficiency. However, the steering and handling were noted as weak points, with too much play off-centre and low grip. The Compass Trailhawk trim offered additional off-road capabilities, including a low-range transfer case and extra ground clearance. Fuel economy was estimated at 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.4 on the highway.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engine options, with the base 3.0-litre V6 delivering 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 horsepower, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 horsepower. The GTS trim, tested here, had a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing 493 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne GTS was praised for its quick acceleration, reaching 100 kilometres per hour in 4.4 seconds, and its top speed of 275 kilometres per hour. The steering was precise, with components borrowed from the Turbo GT, and the suspension provided a comfortable yet sporty ride. The Cayenne's handling was described as agile and athletic, with optional carbon ceramic brakes offering excellent stopping power.

The 2024 Jeep Compass excelled in utility and ease of use, with clear analog gauges and a large colour display. The interior featured physical climate controls and a convenient row of buttons beneath the touchscreen. Visibility was good, and the cabin offered ample headroom and legroom, even without a sunroof. The rear seats included vents, USB ports, and a fold-down centre armrest. Cargo space was competitive, with 770 litres behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres when folded. The front passenger seat also folded, allowing for easy transport of longer items.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a customizable interior, with options for carbon fibre, aluminum, or bronze Neodyme accents. The base model featured eight-way power-adjustable seats, with options for 14- or 18-way adjustable seats. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers, with a comfortable second row and ample headroom. The standard Cayenne offered 772 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1,708 litres when folded. The coupe version had slightly less space, with 576 and 1,486 litres, respectively. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, with the ability to tow 3,500 kilograms and accommodate over 635 kilograms of payload.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software. The system was praised for its clarity and ease of use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. A 10.3-inch digital instrument panel was standard on higher trims, and optional on others. The Limited trim offered an Elite Exterior Group package with additional features like Alexa Built-In and a foot-activated power liftgate.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with the Porsche Communication Management system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Spotify, Apple Music, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne also included a head-up display and night-vision assist, with four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by the NHTSA at the time of writing, but the 2022 model received four out of five stars. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Compass a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were standard on all but the base trim, with a 360-degree camera optional on higher trims.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety.