Jeep Compass vs Toyota RAV4

2026 Jeep Compass vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Jeep Compass

2026 Jeep Compass

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS4 – 3Jeep Compass wins 4 of 7 categories
Toyota RAV4

2026 Toyota RAV4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota RAV4 is more fuel-efficient: 43 vs 26 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,050 a year less in fuel for the Toyota RAV4 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota RAV4 is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Jeep Compass has had fewer recall campaigns (24 vs 50).

The two cars

The 2026 Jeep Compass is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 173 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,327 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,746 lb (Le 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Compass and the 2022 RAV4 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Compass and the 2019 RAV4.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

26 MPG
Best combined MPG
43 MPG
23 city
City / highway MPG (best)
47 city
$2,600
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,550

Performance & space

200 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
186 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
173.2 in
Length
181.1 in
70.9 in
Width
72.8 in
66.9 in
Height
66.5 in
3,184 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,746 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
13
1
Recalls (2026)
2
24
Recalls, all years since 2005
50
5
Owner complaints (latest year)
42

Interest

14,132
Wikipedia views, 30 days
45,921

Buying used

Best used year
Year to avoid

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Jeep Compass if…

  • You want something easier to park (8 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (24 vs 50 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota RAV4 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (43 vs 26 MPG)
  • You want more room (8 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Jeep Compass

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota RAV4

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 43 MPG combined — 42% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Jeep Compass specs →Full 2026 Toyota RAV4 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →