Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2025 Jeep Compass

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Compass:

The Trax’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 Trax’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Trax’s reliability 13 points higher than the Compass.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the Trax gets better fuel mileage than the Compass (28 city/32 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

The Trax stops much shorter than the Compass:

For better traction, the Trax has larger standard tires than the Compass (225/60R17 vs. 215/65R17). The Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Compass (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The Trax LS/LT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass Trailhawk’s standard 65 series tires.

The Trax 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 Trax’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Compass (106.3 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Trax is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Compass.

The Trax ACTIV handles at .84 G’s, while the Compass Sport pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Trax ACTIV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 pounds less than the Jeep Compass.

The front grille of the Trax offers available 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 Trax 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 Trax has .4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the Compass.

The Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Compass can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Trax’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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Trax’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Compass doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost SiriusXM Guardian can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its October 2023 issue and the Chevrolet Trax ACTIV won out over the Jeep Compass Sport.

The Trax was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 2024. The Compass has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Jeep Compass by 73% during 2024.