Jeep Compass vs Nissan Rogue

The 2024 Jeep Compass, tested in Michigan, presented a somewhat generic exterior, especially in its Sport trim. The model we evaluated was a white Compass with black plastic door handles and small wheels, reminiscent of a utility fleet vehicle. Its design was understated, with only the seven-slot grille hinting at its Jeep lineage. The Compass Sport's body shape and taillights were similar to many small crossovers from the past two decades, lacking distinctiveness unless outfitted as a Trailhawk. Inside, the Compass impressed with its interior design and quality, particularly in the 2023 Limited trim, which featured a sophisticated black and gray colour scheme with caramel leatherette accents. The base model offered supportive cloth seats with blue stitching and a well-designed dashboard, showcasing Jeep's efforts to enhance the cabin's modernity and cohesiveness.

In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Rogue, tested in Canada, offered a more upscale and refined experience, particularly in the Platinum trim. The Rogue's interior was a testament to Nissan's commitment to quality, with quilted leather seating and upmarket trim pieces that elevated the cabin's ambiance. The Rogue's design was both handsome and bold, with a blocky shape, large grille, and thin headlights lending it a touch of attitude. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in capability, providing a seamless and user-friendly experience. The Rogue's exterior design, especially with the two-tone colour combo, added a sporty and aggressive flair, making it an attractive choice in the compact SUV segment.

The 2024 Jeep Compass featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 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, with minimized engine noise and enhanced power delivery. The Compass included three driving modes (auto, snow, sand/mud) and a rear-axle disconnect for fuel efficiency. However, its steering and handling were less impressive, with too much play off-centre and low grip. The Compass Trailhawk variant offered additional off-road capabilities, including a low-range transfer case and extra ground clearance, but at a higher cost. 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 Nissan Rogue, powered by a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, provided adequate performance for routine driving. The engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that delivered power smoothly to all four wheels. While the Rogue's drivetrain was competent, it lacked the extra horsepower for stronger acceleration. The CVT was refined, offering a quiet and smooth driving experience. The Rogue's steering was light and accurate, though not as engaging as some competitors. Braking was smooth and predictable, contributing to a comfortable driving experience.

The 2024 Jeep Compass excelled in utility and ease of use, with clear analog gauges and a large colour display for various info panels. The interior featured convenient controls, including a regular PRNDL gear selector and physical climate controls. Visibility was good, and the cabin offered ample headroom and legroom, even without a sunroof. The rear seats provided comfort and convenience with rear 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 Nissan Rogue impressed with its well-designed cabin, featuring quilted leather seating and upmarket trim pieces in the Platinum model. The steering wheel was chunky and slightly flat-bottomed, providing a comfortable grip. The Rogue's interior layout was user-friendly, with easily accessible HVAC controls and buttons for heated seats and steering wheel. Rear legroom measured 978 millimetres, offering competitive space among compact SUVs. Cargo space was 1,028 litres behind the second row, with a wide and easy-to-use area. The Divide-and-Hide storage system added versatility, while creative storage solutions throughout the cabin enhanced practicality.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software, offering a slick and responsive interface. The display was clear, with simple menus for adjusting vehicle settings. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with USB-C ports. Optional features included factory navigation and a wireless charging pad. The Altitude and Trailhawk Elite trims offered a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel with full-screen maps. The Limited trim's Elite Exterior Group added features like 19-inch alloy wheels, Alexa Built-In, and a foot-activated power liftgate.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue's lower trims featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired smartphone connectivity, while upper trims boasted a larger 12.3-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive, with quick response times and crisp graphics. Google navigation was particularly useful, and ProPilot Assist provided hands-free operation on pre-mapped roads. A wireless charging pad at the base of the centre console kept phones secure and charged during drives.

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 six crash tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were standard on all but the base trim, while a 360-degree camera was optional on higher trims.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the side impact test. Standard safety features included forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Optional features included a head-up display, ProPilot Assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic sign recognition.