Jeep Compass vs. Nissan Rogue

First, let's look at what's under the hood of these two models. The Nissan Rogue has a 1.5L engine in all four of its trims that supports the model's 1,500-pound towing capacity.

The Jeep Compass, on the other hand, equips all seven trim levels with a 2.0L Turbo engine that helps carry 2,000 pounds of attachments when properly equipped. That 500-pound difference allows adventurous drivers to add on extra gear such as campers, small trailers, watercraft, 4-wheelers, and more.

However, if you’re hoping to go off-road or tackle difficult terrain, you may prefer the Jeep Compass. It offers available:

• 4-wheel drive capability
• Advanced 4×4 systems
• Class-exclusive Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System

This Traction Management System features several modes to help control over different driving conditions: Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud. The Trailhawk trim also includes Rock mode.

The Nissan does offer available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and five driving modes: Sport, Off-Road, Snow, Auto, and Eco. They personalize your drive but may not match the Jeep for seriously tough surfaces.

What really impresses drivers are the available interior features offered by the Jeep Compass. These include available heating systems, such as heated front/rear seats and a heated steering wheel. Nissan also provides these same heating options.

When you’re on the road, you’ll want to remain informed, connected, and engaged. The Jeep Compass comes standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display—the largest in its class. This is your hub for all things having to do with driving and entertainment. The Nissan model comes with an 8-inch touchscreen and can be upgraded to one that’s nine inches, both significantly smaller.

The real standout, though, is Jeep's standard Uconnect® 5 system. This next-generation system lets you engage faster with your favorite music, navigation, and other applications while on the road.

The Jeep Compass and the Nissan Rogue line their interiors with advanced airbag systems to help in case the unexpected happens. However, the Compass goes the extra mile with its standard features, including:

• Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking: A feature that detects when your vehicle is approaching a vehicle ahead too quickly and can apply brake pressure if needed.
• Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection: A monitoring system that alerts you when other vehicles are in your blind spot zones.
• Active Lane Management: A system that provides visual and audible alerts when you're drifting into another lane. It can also apply gentle steering correction to help avoid a collision.

It's true that these driver-assistive features are just the beginning. The Jeep model offers over 80 standard and available safety systems that are designed to help protect, prevent, and defend against road hazards. Other standard features in the Compass are echoed in the Nissan Rogue and its Safety Shield® 360 suite.

However, if you're looking for safety-evolving innovation, like the ParkSense® Front and Rear Park-Assist System, you may want to stick with the Jeep Compass.