Compare the2025 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2025 Jeep Compass

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Equinox has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Chevrolet Equinox offers an optional Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Jeep Compass doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Equinox and Compass have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Equinox has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Compass’ Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Equinox and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Equinox’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Compass’ (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 20 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Equinox’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 3 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

The Equinox’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (14.8 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (15.6 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The Equinox FWD has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Compass doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Equinox stops much shorter than the Compass:

For better traction, the Equinox has larger tires than the Compass (235/65R17 vs. 215/65R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Equinox RS offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Compass’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Equinox has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Compass doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Compass (107.5 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Equinox is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Compass.

The Equinox RS AWD handles at .79 G’s, while the Compass Trailhawk pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Equinox RS AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

The front grille of the Equinox uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Compass doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Equinox uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Compass doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Equinox has 4.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Compass (104.3 vs. 99.6).

The Equinox has .8 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Compass.

The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Compass with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Compass with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 59.8 cubic feet).

The Equinox’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (800 vs. 0 pounds).

The Equinox uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Compass uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Equinox ACTIV/RS’ optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Compass doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Equinox’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Compass’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

On a hot day the Equinox’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Equinox’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Compass only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited.

When the Equinox ACTIV/RS with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Compass’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Equinox has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Compass.

The Equinox is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Compass doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Jeep Compass by almost two to one during 2024.