Jeep Compass Vs Toyota Fortuner: Which SUV Is Best Option For You?

Jeep Compass and Toyota Fortuner are positioned in two separate sub-segments. While the Jeep Compass is facing direct competition from other mid-size SUVs, the Toyota Fortuner is the top-selling model of the large-size SUV space. Of course, the price of the Toyota Fortuner is twice the price of the Jeep Compass. Despite the huge price gap, these two models still share some common characteristics. Both the Jeep Compass and Toyota Fortuner are well-known for their tough build and excellent off-road capability. These overlapping qualities still make some customers confused and torn between Compass and Fortuner. Understanding the concern, IndianAuto will provide a comprehensive comparison between these two models. Check out our Jeep Compass vs Toyota Fortuner comparison review 2021.

Jeep Compass vs Toyota Fortuner Dimensions

From the introduction, we have made it clear that the dimensional gap between the Jeep Compass and Toyota Fortuner is distinctive. Jeep Compass is a midsize SUV, which means that its length will measure somewhere around 4.500 mm. On the other hand, a large SUV like Toyota Fortuner can extend up to around 5.000 mm in length. Apparently, Toyota Fortuner is much bigger in terms of size. The bigger dimensions also mean a greater interior space. It also makes an obvious advantage for Fortuner over the Compass. See the detailed dimensions of Jeep Compass vs Toyota Fortuner in the table below

Jeep Compass vs Toyota Fortuner Design

Exterior

Despite the big difference in size, these models still bond over the same styling approach. Both of the SUVs can be easily recognized due to their rough and butch appearance. Thanks to the more enormous body, the Toyota Fortuner gains a significant road presence without much effort. Notably, recently, Toyota has just introduced the facelift version of the Fortuner with some major styling updates, creating a more modern and premium look for the SUV. Interestingly, this year, Jeep also rolls out the facelifted Jeep Compass with some subtle cosmetic changes.

The Jeep Compass, even though is not as larger as the Fortuner, can still pull out an aggressive look with a boxy silhouette, upright front fascia, and bold character lines. 2021 Jeep Compass sees the diminishing of chrome bits. It gets black and grey accents instead. The signature seven-slatted grille now looks slightly thinner. The side profile and rear end remain unchanged, except for the new 18-inch alloy wheels. In addition, the new Jeep Compass now comes with new metallic green and galaxy blue colour scheme. These new colour options look more mature and premium.

On the other hand, the facelifted Toyota Fortuner looks distinctive from the regular version. On the front end, there comes a bigger grille, new DRLs for the LED projector headlights, and pronounced silver skid plates. For the rest of the design, there is not much going on, except for the new alloy wheel design and new LED taillights. Moreover, Toyota also introduced a sportier version of the Fortuner called the Fortuner Legender. With the addition of the new variant, Fortuner is able to refresh its image in the market.

If we compared the Jeep Compass and Toyota Fortuner, these two models seem to meet somewhere along the line – both of them come with the same quotient of macho and polish look. It could be said that both Compass and Fortuner are head-turners that will capture the eyeballs of everyone on the road.

Jeep Compass vs Toyota Fortuner Interior

Interior design

While the exterior of the new Jeep Compass gets fewer changes, the interior witnesses an extensive makeover, making it appear even plusher and more premium. Replacing the old white-black colour scheme is the new all-black theme. The dual-tone colour scheme is limited to the top-spec models only. There is a new floating touchscreen, a new interface for the instrument cluster, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a revised centre console. Thanks to these substantial updates, the Jeep Compass has seen noticeable increments in terms of premium quotient and comfort. The leather upholstery seats, along with the use of metallic accents, and other material, create a premium feel for the interior.

The old Toyota Fortuner has met some criticism for its outdated interior. The Japanese car brand has tried to make it up with the latest updates. The 2021 Toyota Fortuner has seen some noteworthy feature and technology updates. However, when it comes to the styling, the new Fortuner remains mostly unchanged. The dashboard features a dominant centre console with a larger touchscreen. While the standard Fortuner comes with two options, an all-black and a dual-tone tan-black interior, the Legender gets a special option of a Black-Maroon theme.

To compare between the Jeep Compass and Toyota Fortuner, the Toyota Fortuner is well ahead of the Jeep Compass when it comes to the premium quotient. However, if we consider the style alone, it is unarguable that Jeep Compass does look better with plush and modern design.

Seating comfort and features

When it comes to the seating comfort, Toyota Fortuner wins hands down. Being a full-size SUV, the Fortuner can provide sufficient interior space. Moreover, the seats are well-contouring, providing good support for all passengers. The seats are ventilated and electrically adjustable. To ensure a pleasant driving experience for the passengers, the Fortuner offers adjustable headrests, a centre armrest, as well as roof-mounted AC vents. There is barely any struggle for passengers to get through the third bench thanks to the tumble and slide the second row. Jeep Compass, even though is not as spacious as the Fortuner, can provide a decent room for the interior. The two front seats are eight-way electronically adjustable while the driver seat gets memory function. The front seats are also ventilated.

Interior features

Besides the comprehensive design updates for the interior, the Jeep Compass also receives various interior enhancements. One of the major highlights is the new 10.1-inch touchscreen that offers a higher display quality. Moreover, this display unit is supported by a UConnect 5 system, as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay. In addition to this main display, there is also a 10.2-inch digital screen for the instrument cluster. The installation of a 9-speaker Alpine system enhances the entertainment experience for the occupants. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, power tailgate, cruise control, and more.

For the facelift update, Toyota aims to upgrade the interior equipment to keep up with other competitors in the market. This attempt has resulted in the additions of a few upmarket features like a new 8-inch Smart Playcast Touchscreen Audio with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. For the first time, the Fortuner is offered with a connected car technology system which is now the new norms in the SUV space. Smart features like geo-fencing, real-time tracking, parking track are now available on the Toyota Fortuner. In addition, there are some outstanding features like an 11-speaker JBL sound system, dual-zone AC, auto-dimming IRVM, push-button start, cooled glove box, cruise control. For the Legender, Toyota is offering wireless charging, electronic rear-view mirror, kick-opening tailgate, and ambient lighting.

Safety features

To compare, the Toyota Fortuner is behind the Compass in the sense that it gets a smaller touchscreen, misses out on panoramic sunroof, two-zone climate control. Jeep Compass also owns the bigger touchscreen unit and more speakers for the sound system. However, Toyota edges out with some smart connectivity features like Find My Car location and Real Time Vehicle tracking, voice control.

Jeep Compass is available with an impressive safety equipment list. From the base variant, the Compass is offered with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, ISOFIX child-seat mount, front seat belts with lap pretensioner, rear parking sensor, reverse camera, and hill start assist. On the higher variants, the list will be extended with some new functions like six airbags, 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, and auto hold (4x4 AT). 

In terms of safety, Toyota Fortuner offers 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, hill launch assist, ISOFIX child seat anchor, tyre pressure monitoring system.

Jeep Compass vs Toyota Fortuner Engines

For the most parts, the new Jeep Compass has witnessed some significant updates. However, it is a different story under the hood. 2021 Jeep Compass carries forwards the powertrain setting from the previous version. It continues to be powered by either a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol or a 2.0-litre diesel engine. While the former is good for 163 Nm/250 Nm, the latter is powerful enough to put out 170 PS and 350 Nm. For both petrol and diesel units, there is a standard 6-speed manual gearbox. However, each will be available with a different choice of an automatic gearbox. For the turbo petrol unit, there is a 7-speed DCT on offer. It is a 9-speed AT for the 2.0-litre diesel engine. Only the 2.0-litre diesel version gets the 4x4 option. The diesel-automatic combination is available with a 4x2 system only.

Unlike the Compass, the new Toyota Fortuner gets an updated powertrain setting. It continues to be powered by either a 2.8-litre diesel or a 2.7-litre petrol engine. However, the diesel engine is now more powerful with a top power of 204 PS and 500 Nm. The same 2.7-litre petrol remains to churn out 166 PS and 245 Nm. There are a 6-speed manual and an automatic transmission. While both 4WD and 2WD are provided on the diesel version, the petrol-only gets the 2WD only.

If we compare the specs of Jeep Compass' engines and Toyota Fortuner's, it is easy to point out that Fortuner’s powertrains are more powerful. However, to put things into perspective, the Fortuner is much larger and hence have a larger body weight. It is understandable that the Jeep Compass wouldn’t need that much power like the Fortuner to perform well. Both cars come with a 4WD system for the diesel version.