2026 Dodge Durango vs 2026 Jeep Compass

$38,995 · Crossover

$30,595 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When deciding between a larger, more powerful SUV and a smaller, more efficient crossover, budget often plays the deciding role. The 2026 Dodge Durango starts at a substantial $38,995, positioning it significantly above the 2026 Jeep Compass's entry price of $30,595—an $8,400 gap. While the Durango boasts 295 horsepower compared to the Compass's 200 hp, this performance comes at the cost of fuel economy; the Durango manages only 20 combined MPG, while the smaller Compass achieves an impressive 27 combined MPG. Furthermore, despite its larger exterior dimensions (200.8 inches long vs. 173.4 inches), the Durango oddly offers less usable space, clocking in with only 17.2 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Compass's 27.2 cu ft. This comparison highlights a trade-off between brute force and everyday practicality.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass wins for commuters due to its superior 27 combined MPG, significantly lowering daily running costs compared to the Durango's 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass offers 10 more cubic feet of cargo space (27.2 cu ft) despite being much smaller, making it surprisingly more practical for family hauling.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Dodge Durango

The 2026 Dodge Durango appeals to enthusiasts with a substantial 95 hp advantage, delivering 295 hp versus the Compass's 200 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Jeep Compass

With an $8,400 lower MSRP and better fuel economy, the Jeep Compass provides significantly more value for the money.

Choose the Dodge Durango if...

You prioritize straight-line performance and want 295 horsepower available under the hood.
You require a rear-wheel-drive platform or prefer the Durango's larger overall footprint (200.8 inches long).
You are willing to accept an 18/25 MPG fuel split for the increase in power.

Choose the Jeep Compass if...

Saving money upfront is a priority, given the Durango's $8,400 higher starting price.
Maximizing efficiency is key, as the Compass delivers 27 combined MPG versus the Durango's 20.
You need usable cargo space, as the Compass provides 27.2 cu ft compared to the Durango's 17.2 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Dodge Durango	Jeep Compass
Length	200.8"	173.4"
Width	75.8"	73.8"
Height	72.1"	64.8"
Wheelbase	119.8"	103.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
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
Brake Drying	✓	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Folding Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Base Engine Displacement	3.6 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	295 hp @ 6400 rpm	200 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	221 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

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

Fuel

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/25 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	20 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	442.8/615.0 mi.	324.0/432.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	24.6 gal.	13.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Cargo Floor Mats	✓	✓
Steering Wheel Material	—	Leatherette/Simulated Alloy
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	8.4 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	With Real Time Traffic	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.2 in.
Front Leg Room	40.3 in.	41.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.5 in.	56.7 in.
Front Hip Room	57.0 in.	54.1 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Folding Capability	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Seat Material	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Rear Head Room	39.8 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.6 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	55.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	49.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Dodge	Jeep
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	18 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/60R18	225/55R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Dodge	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	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Dodge Durango and 2026 Jeep Compass.

Which vehicle is significantly cheaper to buy?

The 2026 Jeep Compass is the clear budget winner, starting at $30,595 compared to the 2026 Dodge Durango's $38,995, which is an $8,400 difference.

Does the larger Durango actually hold more stuff than the Compass?

Surprisingly, no; the smaller Jeep Compass offers substantially more utility with 27.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the larger Durango only manages 17.2 cu ft.

How much of a performance difference will I notice?

You will definitely feel the difference in acceleration; the Durango offers 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, beating the Compass's 200 hp and 221 lb-ft by a significant margin.

Which crossover is better for long-distance highway driving based on fuel economy?

The Jeep Compass is better for long trips, achieving 32 Highway MPG, which is notably better than the Durango's 25 Highway MPG rating.

What is the main reason for the difference in fuel efficiency?

The Durango's higher power output (95 more horsepower) and standard rear-wheel-drive setup likely contribute to its lower efficiency figures (20 combined MPG) compared to the Compass's 27 combined MPG.

Is the Durango's standard rear-wheel drive beneficial over the Compass's four-wheel drive?

Rear-wheel drive (Durango) is often preferred by drivers focused purely on on-road handling dynamics, while the Compass’s standard four-wheel drive provides better traction in snow or light off-road situations.