Compare Two Jeep SUVs
Two Jeep 4x4 SUVs with different footprints, powertrains and trailer ratings.
Both Jeeps seat five and both give New Hampshire shoppers standard four-wheel drive. A compact Compass leaves more space around the vehicle in a short parking spot. Cherokee puts more room inside for a family load. The Compass suits a driver looking for a short turbo-gas SUV. Cherokee gives you a hybrid and a larger load floor in a longer vehicle.
The 2027 Compass starts with a turbocharged four-cylinder, a conventional eight-speed automatic and heated front seats in Latitude. Latitude Altitude measures 173.4 inches long. It has space for everyday errands in Dover without requiring the length of a midsize Jeep. The higher trims bring choices that include dark appearance packages, a hands-free liftgate or the Trailhawk's all-terrain equipment.
The Cherokee uses a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid system making 210 combined horsepower. Its battery charges through the powertrain and regenerative braking. A plug is unnecessary. It measures 188.1 inches long and has 33.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat. The Cherokee research hub covers its trim lineup and the Trailhawk hybrid separately.
| Specification | Compass | Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Entry MSRP before destination | $29,990 (Latitude) | $35,130 (Cherokee) |
| Powertrain | 2.0L turbo gas | 1.6L turbo hybrid |
| Output | 200 hp | 210 combined hp |
| Fuel economy, city/highway/combined | 21/29/24 mpg (Latitude factory label) | 39/35/37 mpg (Limited 4x4 factory label) |
| Towing, when properly equipped | 2,000 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Length | 173.4 in (Latitude Altitude) | 188.1 in |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 27.2 cu ft (Latitude Altitude) | 33.6 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo volume | 59.8 cu ft (Latitude Altitude) | 68.3 cu ft |
The Compass has stepped gears and a 200-hp turbo engine. The Cherokee hybrid combines its gas engine and electric drive in a continuously variable transmission. The fuel economy line for Compass comes from the 2027 Latitude factory label. The Cherokee figures come from the 2027 Limited 4x4 factory label. Cherokee Limited fuel economy label. On a drive that includes traffic along Lafayette Road and a steady stretch toward Exeter, the Cherokee Limited has the higher city figure on its label.
With people riding in both rows, the Compass Latitude Altitude has 27.2 cubic feet in back and Cherokee has 33.6. Fold the seats and the figures become 59.8 and 68.3 cubic feet. Cherokee's increase helps when the rear row stays in use on the way from Stratham to Hampton Beach State Park. Compass works well when a pair of passengers, groceries and smaller sports bags are the usual load.
Both offer phone integration through Uconnect. Compass Latitude uses an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Latitude Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk and Limited Altitude use a 10.1-inch display. The Cherokee offers a 12.3-inch central touchscreen. The screen, where your elbow lands on the armrest and how easily you reach the rear cargo area are parts of a showroom visit that the outside length alone cannot show.
The Compass Latitude's $29,990 starting MSRP is $5,140 below the Cherokee's $35,130 entry MSRP, before destination, options, taxes and fees. A $34,150 Compass Limited is another way to spend the budget. It keeps the shorter body and adds a power driver's seat, a heated steering wheel and a hands-free hatch. Cherokee's entry price buys the hybrid powertrain and larger body from the start.
The Compass carries a three-year or 36,000-mile basic limited warranty. Both models come from the same Jeep dealership, so the sales team can cover the purchase and the Jeep shop can discuss service for whichever powertrain fits your household.
Choose Compass if the shorter parking footprint and the lower entry price matter every week. Latitude has the basic 4x4 and safety equipment, while Limited brings the power seat and liftgate that are useful on a daily round of errands near Somersworth. If a smaller garage is part of the decision, the Compass dimensions include the width with and without mirrors.
Choose Cherokee if rear passengers share the car with bulky gear most weekends, or if your trailer needs more than the Compass rating. The Cherokee's hybrid is also the fit for drivers who spend a large part of the week in stop-and-go traffic. A test drive in both vehicles puts the difference in driving position, cargo access and powertrain feel in one visit.
Shopping an earlier model year? See the 2026 Cherokee and Compass comparison.
Our Jeep showroom is at 2355 Lafayette Road. See the 2027 Compass and the 2027 Cherokee Hybrid at the same Jeep dealership. Contact Jeep Portsmouth or call (603) 431-8900 to set up a visit.
With Premier Pure Price, the Compass and the Cherokee each have one no-haggle price, so a driver weighing the two can see their starting points. Premier Companies has priced vehicles negotiation-free since 1995 and uses third parties such as CarGurus, Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader. The group is locally and family-owned since 1979.
Premier Transparency gives you access to the price, KBB trade value and available rates, rebates, residuals and incentives at any hour. The Premier People Promise means commission-free sales and support through ownership. Premier Personalization, Pure & Simple lets you visit, shop and buy online, or do both. We deliver anywhere in the United States. Our three ways to shop cover a purchase in person, 100% remote or a mix of the two.
Compass is the shorter Jeep. The Compass Latitude Altitude measures 173.4 inches, compared with 188.1 inches for Cherokee. That is 14.7 inches of difference before allowing for liftgate access. Measure the opening separately for mirrors and the garage depth for usable space behind the vehicle.
Neither model has a third row. Both seat five, with two front seats and a rear bench. The Cherokee gives you more luggage volume with the bench up. If you carry five passengers regularly, compare that upright-seat cargo space because the rear row will already be occupied.
No home charger is required. The Cherokee uses a self-charging hybrid powertrain. Its gasoline engine and regenerative braking supply energy for the hybrid system. You refuel at a gas station, as you would with the Compass, and the Cherokee manages its battery while you drive.
Compass uses the conventional eight-speed automatic paired with its turbo gasoline engine. Cherokee pairs its turbo hybrid system with a continuously variable transmission. During a back-to-back drive, try an ordinary merge and a slow stretch of stop-and-go traffic to feel how the two powertrains deliver power.
Both offer a Trailhawk trim. Compass Trailhawk has the shorter body, with Active Drive Low, all-terrain tires and skid plates. Cherokee Trailhawk uses the larger hybrid platform. Compare their equipment and dimensions for the terrain you drive and the garage or driveway you use every day.
Start with Compass Latitude. Heated front seats and four-wheel drive are standard, and Latitude has the lower entry price in this comparison. If those are the features you use most, try the seat and rear visibility in the shorter Compass before paying for more cargo room.
Jeep Portsmouth sells both from its Lafayette Road showroom. Check each model’s current listings before traveling from Exeter and ask for a back-to-back drive. If garage fit or cargo space matters, bring your measurements or the equipment you usually carry and try it in both Jeeps.
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See the compact Compass and the Cherokee Hybrid in one visit.
* The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, other fees required by law, finance charges and any documentation charges. A negotiable administration fee, up to $115, may be added to the price of the vehicle.
* Images, prices, and options shown, including vehicle color, trim, options, pricing and other specifications are subject to availability, incentive offerings, current pricing and credit worthiness.