2024 Jeep Compass vs 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2024 Jeep Compass, tested in Michigan, presented a mixed bag in terms of aesthetics and functionality. The model we evaluated was a Compass Altitude, adorned with a striking red two-tone paint job and blacked-out trim. However, initial excitement was dampened when the tailgate and doors refused to unlock, revealing our actual test vehicle to be a more utilitarian white Compass with black plastic door handles and smaller wheels. This version, reminiscent of a fleet vehicle, lacked the distinctive Jeep identity, blending into the sea of small crossovers with its generic body shape and design elements. The interior, however, was a different story. The Compass Sport, even in its base trim, impressed with its interior design and quality. The cabin featured supportive cloth seats with blue stitching and textured inserts, complemented by a large 10-inch infotainment screen and silver plastic accents that added a touch of style. Despite its interior strengths, the exterior design left much to be desired, lacking the unique Jeep character.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign for its sixth generation, resulting in a more cohesive yet conventional appearance. While it lost some of its distinctiveness, the new design gave it a blockier shape, reminiscent of a compact Ford Explorer. The Forester Hybrid maintained a rugged look with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the front seats offering ample cushioning and support. The hybrid model included heated outboard rear seats and a digital instrument panel, adding to its modernity. While some argued that the Forester lost some personality, its broader appeal and off-road capabilities made it an attractive choice for a wider audience.

The 2024 Jeep Compass saw a significant improvement in performance with the introduction of a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.4-litre engine. This new engine delivered 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Compass offered three driving modes—auto, snow, and sand/mud—and the ability to lock torque 50-50 front to rear for optimized traction. However, the rear-axle disconnect, designed to save fuel, reacted slowly under hard acceleration, causing wheelspin. The Trailhawk variant added a low-range transfer case, extra driving modes, and off-road features, but came at a higher cost. Steering and handling were weak points, with too much play off-centre and low grip. Fuel economy was estimated at 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.4 on the highway, and 8.8 combined.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder "boxer" engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system producing 194 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain, similar to Toyota's, used a driveshaft for the all-wheel drive system, promising better traction. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission made it feel slower than it was. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. The ride quality was firmer than expected, but off-roading capabilities were impressive, thanks to Subie's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. The Forester Hybrid offered a balanced performance, appealing to both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2024 Jeep Compass excelled in utility and ease of use. The driver’s seat offered clear analog gauges and a large colour display, with convenient controls for the stereo and climate. Visibility was good, and the interior provided ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats featured 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 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The cockpit felt open and airy, with ample space for front passengers. The rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets. The Forester Hybrid provided 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for easy loading. Handy hooks kept groceries secure during transit.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software. The system was slick and quick, with clear menus and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.3-inch digital instrument panel was standard on higher trims, with optional features like a wireless charging pad and factory navigation. The Limited trim offered additional features, including 19-inch alloy wheels and front ventilated seats.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system was praised for its large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons allowed for no-look temperature adjustments, while the X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible with a swipe. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and multiple external camera views for off-roading.

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, with top ratings in all crash tests. 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.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with top scores in most categories. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional features like rear automatic braking and blind spot monitoring were included on the top-trim Forester Hybrid.