Compare the2026 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2026 Jeep Compass

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Tiguan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Jeep Compass doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Tiguan has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Compass doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volkswagen Tiguan achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Jeep Compass which scored only a “Marginal” in these critical safety features.

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Compass doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tiguan has standard Maneuver Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Jeep Compass does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Tiguan and Compass have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tiguan has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Compass’ Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Tiguan and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volkswagen Tiguan is much safer than the Compass:

	Tiguan	Compass
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	140	189
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.3 in
Pelvis Force	1160 lbs.	1517 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	197	202
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.94 in	2.13 in
Shoulder Force	112 lbs.	491 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.77 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	535 lbs.	937 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Tiguan comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Compass’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Compass’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Jeep doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Compass.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Compass’ engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 1 place higher in reliability than Jeep.

Engine

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 68 more horsepower (268 vs. 200) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Tiguan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Jeep Compass:

	Tiguan	Compass
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.6 MPH	87.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the Tiguan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Compass doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Compass (14.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Compass (15.6 vs. 13.5 gallons).

The Tiguan has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Compass. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Compass:

	Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo	Compass
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11 inches

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Compass are solid, not vented.

The Tiguan stops much shorter than the Compass:

	Tiguan	Compass
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	144 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tiguan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Compass (255/40R20 vs. 235/45R19).

The Tiguan’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass Limited’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Compass’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Compass (109.9 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tiguan is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Compass.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo handles at .85 G’s, while the Compass Trailhawk pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (27 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Tiguan has 4.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Compass (103.8 vs. 99.6).

The Tiguan has .3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Compass.

Cargo Capacity

The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Compass with its rear seat up (33.8 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The Tiguan has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Compass with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 59.8 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tiguan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Compass doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Tiguan’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Compass uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Tiguan SEL, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions and outside mirror angle. The Compass doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Tiguan SEL’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Compass doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Tiguan R-Line has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, infotainment and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Compass doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Tiguan’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Compass’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Compass’ standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Compass doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Compass’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Tiguan’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the Tiguan SEL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Compass’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Volkswagen Tiguan and Jeep Compass offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Tiguan offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Compass’ foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tiguan SEL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Compass doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tiguan SEL has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Compass.

The Tiguan has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Compass.

Both the Tiguan and the Compass offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tiguan has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Compass doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Compass.

The Tiguan SEL’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Compass doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Compass doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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