Only 1 Compact SUV Flunked Consumer Reports Road Test
Jason Crosby
· 2 min read
Consumer Reports is well-known for its no-nonsense reporting when it comes to the automotive industry. Their final rating on a new vehicle, as a result, carries a lot of weight. But when they reviewed all the compact SUVs, only one vehicle managed to flunk the road test entirely.
That’s right: The 2022
Jeep
Compass managed to receive low scores in every category, including a failing score of 56 in the road test portion. All this left it with an unattractive Consumer Reports overall rating of 45. For Jeep fans or those who are fond of the Compass, this might be dismaying. But fear not—there are several similar, and much better
, options to choose from. 
Jeep’s compact SUV matchup: Cherokee vs. Compass
If you’re looking for a Jeep, but aren’t willing to take a risk on the poorly ranking Compass, there’s another compact SUV with a higher rating: the Jeep Cherokee. Here’s
Consumer Reports’ breakdown
of the advantages the Cherokee has as a compact SUV over the Compass:- A hefty 4,500 lb towing capacity, compared to 2,000 lbs for the Compass
- Faster 0-60 mph acceleration: 7.5 seconds, compared to 9.8 seconds for the Compass
- Better braking ability, despite weighing over 1,000 lbs more than the Compass
- A higher owner satisfaction rating
- More comfortable front seats, along with a roomier cabin than the Compass
Two compact SUV alternatives to choose from
What hurts the Jeep Compass the most was an abysmal road test. But thankfully, Jeep isn’t the only brand with compact SUVs to choose from. Some of the best choices with better road test scores include offered instead of the Compass include:
- The Ford Bronco sport: This compact SUV packs all of the eye-catching visuals of the Compass, in a more road-worthy package. The Bronco scores an owner satisfaction rating of 5 out of 5, compared with the Compass’s 1 out of 5.
The Bronco also scored 19 points higher (75) on its road test than the Compass, especially in the emergency handling category. The Bronco’s higher quality headlights also provide better visual acuity when driving at night.
- The Subaru Crosstrek: Perhaps the compact SUV with the most bang for its buck, the rugged Subaru Crosstrek starts at an affordable $22,445. While bottom trim options skimp on detection monitoring systems that Jeep offers, owners may save several thousand by investing in a new Crosstrek, with a base price that’s nearly $4,000 cheaper.
High points for the Crosstrek include an overall rating of 86, and a road test score of 87. It also handily beats the Jeep in terms of gas mileage, with 20 mpg in town, and an impressive 39 mpg on the highway.
Shop compact SUV insurance with Jerry
Get your compact SUV ready for your next road trip, or adventure off the beaten path. You can collect competitive rates from more than 50 of the country’s top insurance providers, making sure that you get the most out of your car insurance policy. With
Jerry’s
assistance, you’ll start saving on the costs of owning that sweet new compact SUV.
