2026–27 Jeep Compass vs Jeep Cherokee: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Cherokee — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–0 across 6 categories, winning on better fuel economy (37 mpg vs 26 mpg best EPA combined) and more towing capacity (3,500 lb vs 2,000 lb). The Compass doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Compass 0 pts · Cherokee 2.5 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Compass | 2026 Cherokee | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 1.27 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 46.2% | 44.2% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | Cherokee |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 200 hp | 210 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 2,000 lb | 3,500 lb | Cherokee |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 1 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 0 | 2.5 | Cherokee |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Cherokee — 37 mpg vs 26 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Compass 5 vs Cherokee 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Compass 46.2% vs Cherokee 44.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Cherokee — 3,500 lb vs 2,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Used, the median asking price is $19,880 for the Compass and $14,368 for the Cherokee (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Compass: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Cherokee: 1.27 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 6th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Compass 2, Cherokee 1.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Compass 2016 (avoid), 2017 (avoid) · Cherokee 2016 (caution), 2017 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Compass | 2026 Cherokee | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 200 hp | 210 hp |
| Max torque | 221 lb-ft | 230 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 26 mpg | 37 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 2,000 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Max payload | — | 850 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Compass lists for a median $16,590 — 46.2% of today's median new price of $35,914. A 5-year-old (2021) Cherokee lists for a median $18,985 — 44.2% of today's median new price of $42,973.
Shop both
- See 2,528 new 2027 Jeep Compass for sale →Median listed price $37,009 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Jeep Cherokees for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Jeep Compass
More on the Jeep Cherokee
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Compass better than the Cherokee?
On our data, no — the Cherokee comes out ahead. Our pick: the Cherokee — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–0 across 6 categories, winning on better fuel economy (37 mpg vs 26 mpg best EPA combined) and more towing capacity (3,500 lb vs 2,000 lb). The Compass doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Compass or the Cherokee?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Compass and 1 for the Cherokee.
Which holds its value better, the Compass or the Cherokee?
About the same — 46.2% vs 44.2% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Compass or the Cherokee?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Compass or the Cherokee?
The Cherokee: up to 37 mpg combined vs 26 mpg for the Compass (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Jeep Compass vs Jeep Cherokee: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/jeep-compass-vs-jeep-cherokee, updated November 8, 2026.