If you’re looking for a small SUV, you may find yourself torn on which model to choose. This is especially true if the models are eerily similar. That’s why we’re bringing you this comparison piece. Today, the battle is as follows: 2021 Chevy Equinox vs 2021 Jeep Compass. Yep, two popular small SUVs with similar specs though quite different looks. So, how do you pick between these two models? If you’re typically a fan of one brand or the other, this may be a no brainer for you. But, if you’re like many of us who like to keep an open mind, you definitely want to know which one is more worthy of your investment.
You’ll see that while there are a lot of similarities between these two models, there are also some important differences. This is especially true when it comes to safety and convenience. The Jeep model may be a bit more powerful and has a more rugged personality, but the Chevy model offers a lot more tech, safety, and aesthetic appeal. So, without further ado, let’s get started with our comparison of these two popular SUVs.
An SUV That Stands Out
Let’s start with aesthetic appeal. We think the Chevy wins this comparison with ease. It comes in eight different exterior colors, including unique shades like Pacific Blue and Nightfall Gray, as well as more traditional options like Mosaic Black and Summit White. The Equinox also comes in both the Midnight Edition and the Sport Edition. The Midnight Edition is a blacked-out package that includes a Mosaic Black exterior, a black grille with black surround, black fog lamp bezel and surround, black front and rear bowtie emblems, 19-inch gloss black wheels, and optional Jet Black leather seating. The Sport Edition includes many of the blacked-out trim options from the Midnight Edition but can be combined with more paint and interior options for a striking modern look.
You can also opt-in for several wheel upgrades depending on the trim. Even the lowest L trim comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the higher trims include options such as 18-inch Sparkle Silver wheels, 19-inch Gloss Black wheels, and 19-inch machined-face aluminum wheels. You can add on bumper protectors, an illuminated bowtie emblem, black mirror caps, a variety of grilles, splash guards, roof rack rails, and much more to further customize your ride and find the right balance between rugged and sporty to fit your taste.
Like the Equinox, the 2021 Jeep Compass comes in four different trims and has two special editions. However, despite its wider color variety, it doesn’t offer as many exterior add-ons to make your SUV your own. In fact, the only trim that you can easily tell apart from the rest is the Trailhawk with its red recovery hooks and black hood finish. The rest of the Compass lineup is almost nondescript in appearance, and even the trademark seven-bar Jeep grille is shrunken down and blends with the rest of the vehicle’s lines.
But Which Is More Comfortable?
The new Chevy Equinox comes with many modern interior features. It includes multiple USB data ports, an SD card reader, an auxiliary input, a 120-volt power outlet, a 12-volt outlet, a cargo area 12-volt outlet, and wireless phone charging. When it comes to convenience features, you can enjoy remote start, keyless open and entry, memory presets for seating and mirrors, and heated driving and passenger seating. It includes a multi-color infotainment display, Bluetooth connection, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and it’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. If you’re looking for a lot of convenience features for a price you can afford, the 2021 Chevy Equinox may be your next new vehicle.
The 2021 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, is lagging a bit behind the Equinox. Its highest trim offers a few 12-volt power outlets and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. However, it lacks some of the features that are found in the Equinox. For instance, the Compass doesn’t offer a hands-free power liftgate or even a 120-volt power outlet to charge larger electronics. Yet despite having fewer features, the top trims of the two vehicles have effectively the same price tag. So far, in the 2021 Chevy Equinox vs the 2021 Jeep Compass battle, Chevy is winning.
Having Fun
Both the Equinox and the Compass are available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. However, that is where the mechanical similarities end. The Equinox has a turbocharged engine that produces 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, providing plenty of passing power on the highway. Most importantly, this power does not come at the cost of fuel efficiency, and the Equinox is rated for 28 miles per gallon combined.
The 2021 Jeep Compass has a simple non-turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is noticeably less powerful and less efficient. Although the Compass does have 180 horsepower, it falls short with only 175 pound-feet of torque, which gives it less authority when you press the gas. But when it comes to fuel economy, the Compass even worse as it is only rated for 25 miles per gallon combined. That means you will be driving slower and paying more for it.
Staying Safe
When it comes to safety, the Equinox has an overall 5-star crash test safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Equinox is a safe, reliable vehicle, with 5-star ratings for its frontal barrier, side barrier, and side pole crash rating categories. For 2021, it comes standard with forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking for obstacles and pedestrians. Additional driver-assist features, such as blind zone alerts, lane keep assist, and rear cross traffic alerts are all available options as well. The Equinox even offers Teen Driver mode, which allows guardians to set limits on volumes, speeds, and even curfews.
In comparison, the 2021 Compass only has a 4-star overall safety rating, and it does not come with any standard driver-assist features. Although a range of safety technology is available as options on the highest trims, this does little to cover up the underlying safety weaknesses of the Compass. With this final point, the 2021 Chevy Equinox vs the 2021 Jeep Compass battle is seemingly over. While the Compass has a few strong points, its overall features are not nearly as impressive as those of the Equinox.
Why Choose Chevrolet?
Chevy vehicles have been a staple of the automobile market for over a century because the brand is determined to provide its customers with the latest technologies at affordable prices. Chevy knows how important it is to stay safe and comfortable on the road, which is why the brand strives to create vehicles that embody those features. With the 2021 Chevy Equinox, Chevy has built a vehicle that is simply more appealing than competitors like the 2021 Jeep Compass.
Lastly, Chevy provides long warranties on its products as proof of their reliability and durability. These include bumper-to-bumper warranties, a limited powertrain warranty, emission control system limited warranties, electric and hybrid warranties, and several additional coverage options such as roadside assistance and routine maintenance plans. If you’re looking for a lifetime relationship with a dependable brand, look no further than Chevrolet.
