2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Jeep Compass

$40,320 · Crossover

$30,595 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the spacious, powerful 2025 Toyota Highlander and the budget-friendly 2026 Jeep Compass often comes down to balancing upfront cost versus long-term passenger needs. If you frequently haul cargo or need more brute force for highway merging, the Highlander offers a significant advantage with its 265 hp engine compared to the Compass's 200 hp. However, the initial sticker shock is real: the Highlander starts at $40,320, meaning you spend $9,725 more than the Compass's entry price of $30,595. While the Highlander is physically larger at 194.9 inches long, surprisingly, the smaller Jeep Compass provides substantially more usable storage space, boasting 27.2 cu ft versus the Highlander's 16 cu ft. For daily driving efficiency, the Compass edges out the Toyota slightly, achieving 27 combined MPG versus the Highlander's 25 combined MPG.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass wins for commuters due to its lower initial cost and slightly better fuel economy at 27 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander

The 2025 Toyota Highlander is better for growing families due to its significantly larger physical dimensions and greater passenger/cargo volume potential, despite the initial cargo spec look.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander appeals more to driving enthusiasts by offering 65 more horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque for quicker acceleration.

💰 Best Value

2026 Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass is the clear value winner, undercutting the Highlander by nearly $10,000 and delivering better efficiency.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

You need the extra power from the 265 hp engine for towing or consistent highway driving.
You prioritize a longer vehicle length of 194.9 inches for maximum three-row capability.
You prefer the peace of mind of Toyota reliability, even though it costs $40,320 upfront.

Choose the Jeep Compass if...

Keeping the MSRP under $31,000 is a primary concern, saving $9,725 over the competitor.
You need practical, accessible cargo space, as 27.2 cu ft beats the competitor's 16 cu ft.
You prefer the added grip of standard Four Wheel Drive over the Highlander's FWD configuration.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Highlander	Jeep Compass
Length	194.9"	173.4"
Width	76.0"	73.8"
Height	68.1"	64.8"
Wheelbase	112.2"	103.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	265 hp @ 6000 rpm	200 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	221 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	four wheel drive
4WD System Type	—	On Demand

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/29 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	393.8/519.1 mi.	324.0/432.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 gal.	13.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Cruise Control	—	✓
Steering Wheel Material	—	Leatherette/Simulated Alloy
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.4 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	39.2 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.0 in.	56.7 in.
Front Hip Room	57.2 in.	54.1 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Front Seat Material	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Folding Capability	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.7 in.	55.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.0 in.	49.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/65R V	225/55R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Jeep
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2026 Jeep Compass.

What is the main practical trade-off between these two crossovers?

The main trade-off is space versus size. While the 2025 Highlander is physically much longer (194.9 inches), the smaller 2026 Jeep Compass actually offers significantly more usable cargo volume at 27.2 cu ft compared to the Highlander’s 16 cu ft.

How much more power does the Highlander have over the Compass?

The Highlander possesses a substantial power advantage, boasting 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is 65 more horsepower than the Jeep Compass's 200 hp rating.

Which vehicle is cheaper to run regarding fuel economy?

The 2026 Jeep Compass is marginally more fuel-efficient, delivering 27 combined MPG, whereas the 2025 Toyota Highlander manages 25 combined MPG, and both use regular unleaded fuel.

If I drive mostly in snow, which car is better equipped?

The Jeep Compass comes standard with a Four Wheel Drive system, giving it a definite advantage in slick or challenging conditions compared to the standard Front Wheel Drive offered by the base Highlander.