Jeep Compass vs Fiat 500X
What's the difference?

Jeep Compass

$14,990 - $33,850

2022 price

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Fiat 500X

—

2019 price

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Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

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Summary

2022 Jeep Compass

2019 Fiat 500X

By Tim Nicholson

By Peter Anderson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

5.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Excellent multimedia system
New semi-premium interior
Spacious cabin

Fun looks
Good interior
Great safety package

Dislikes

Overall drive experience
Badly executed driver assist systems
Poor value for money

Iffy transmission
Oddball ride
Slow

2022 Jeep Compass Summary

The Jeep Compass is something of a unicorn among the long list of small SUVs sold in Australia. It is now the only model in either the light or small-SUV category that is available with a diesel engine.

That diesel is found under the bonnet of just one variant – the rugged Trailhawk which is also the flagship of the range.

Aside from Suzuki’s adorable Jimny light SUV, the Compass Trailhawk is the only small SUV with some off-road ability.

After going on sale in Australia in late 2017, the second-generation Compass was overhauled as part of a mid-life update in 2021. Aside from subtle styling tweaks, the biggest change was a new multimedia system.

Has Jeep done enough to lift the Compass from an also-ran to a model that buyers should consider, or was the update too little, too late?

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2019 Fiat 500X Summary

Fiat's indomitable 500 is one of the great survivors - not even VW's recently deceased New Beetle could keep riding the nostalgia wave, partly because it made itself just that little bit out-of-touch by not being a car anyone can buy. The 500 avoided that, particularly in its home market, and is still going strong.

Fiat added the 500X compact SUV a few years ago and at first I thought it was a daft idea. It's a polarising car, partly because some people complain it's capitalising on the 500's history. Well, duh. It's worked out well for Mini, so why not?

I've driven one every year for the last couple so I was keen to see what's up and whether it's still one of the weirdest cars on the road.

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Deep dive comparison

2022 Jeep Compass 2019 Fiat 500X

Verdict

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is a curious beast. On the one hand, it looks pretty cool, and it has a well-executed new interior, featuring one of the best multimedia set-ups in the business. It’s spacious and has a long list of standard comfort and safety gear.

Sadly, that’s where the positives end.

It is way too expensive for what you get, especially when you consider the quality of some of its rivals from mainstream and premium brands.

The driver assist features are badly in need of recalibration and the overall drive experience is a letdown.

If you really want a diesel-powered small SUV, perhaps look at one of the much better diesel models at the smaller end of the medium-SUV segment.

Verdict

The 500X is a fun-looking alternative to the various options available from everyone else and is - overall - better to drive than its Renegade twin.

It packs a very good safety package which you can't ignore but does lose points on the warranty and servicing regime. But it's also built to take four adults in comfort, which not every car in the segment can boast.

Jeep Compass vs Fiat 500X What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Jeep Compass vs Fiat 500X
What's the difference?