Most compact SUVs are happy to dutifully serve as daily commuters that are practical, efficient, and good-mannered. A handful of others are built for more. When the asphalt turns to dirt, these models are ready to march on. Two such examples are the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and 2025 Jeep Compass. Both of these compact SUVs bring the usual practicality and daily-commute virtues as others in this segment, but they also bring an adventurous attitude that appeals a segment of buyers desiring more than just an automotive appliance.
Here’s how these two compare.
2025 Mazda CX-50
Mazda has long made an athletic, more road-oriented compact SUV, the CX-5. Two years ago the brand introduced a brother to that model – the more rugged CX-50. The CX-50 looks a bit brawnier than the CX-5 and is better equipped for mud and snow, but it keeps the agile handling for which Mazda is known. An optional turbocharged engine makes it more powerful than most compact SUVs outside the luxury classes, and for the 2025 model year the CX-50 is also available as a fuel-efficient hybrid. Pricing starts at $31,720, including the factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Mazda CX-50 Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive (AWD): All-wheel drive means power goes to all four wheels, and that means enhanced traction. That can reap benefits in all manner of conditions and roads, from enabling better traction in the snow to having better grip climbing up and down dirt trails.
Sporty handling: We really love that even thought the CX-50 is more off-road-oriented, it still has that essential Mazda drive quality. And by that we mean it touts athletic, fun-to-drive on-road manners. It’s like the best of both worlds.
Full safety and driver-assist suite: The Mazda CX-50 comes standard with a full suite of safety and driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, which costs extra in the Jeep Compass.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see CX-50 models near you.
2025 Jeep Compass
Buying a Jeep Compass doesn’t just get you into a new SUV; it grants you immediate entry into a brand and lifestyle beloved by myriad fans. Jeep as a brand has some of the most loyal owners on the planet, and that’s because Jeep vehicles enable adventure. The Compass carries that torch. With standard all-wheel drive, enhanced ground clearance, and options such as Jeep’s Trail Rated Capability and off-road hardware, the Compass can venture farther afield than your average compact SUV. Pricing starts at $27,495.
Jeep Compass Highlights
Trailhawk model: This is the most rugged and off-road-worthy trim in the Compass lineup. It brings an extra inch of ground clearance, 20:1 crawl ratio, all-terrain tires, front and rear tow hooks, and underbody skid plates. The Mazda CX-50 lineup doesn’t have an off-roader quite like the Trailhawk.
Highway Assist: Available on the Limited and Trailhawk trims, this driving aid employs lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control to provide a degree of partially automated driving on more than 125,000 miles of highways in North America. This can be a real stress-reliever on long treks.
Potent engine: All 2025 Jeep Compass models use a 200-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. That’s more powerful than the CX-50’s standard, 187-hp engine.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see Compass models near you.
Similarities
The Mazda CX-50 and Jeep Compass are two of just a handful of compact SUVs built with off-road chops and adventure in mind. They both also benefit from standard all-wheel drive.
Pricing
New 2025 MAZDA CX-50 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43085)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$31,920 |
$31,153 |
|||
$33,270 |
$32,152 |
|||
$35,620 |
$34,383 |
|||
$39,120 |
$38,079 |
|||
$42,420 |
$41,215 |
|||
$42,920 |
$41,778 |
|||
$44,920 |
$43,841 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 MAZDA CX-50 vehicles and New 2025 Jeep Compass vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Mazda CX-50 | 2025 Jeep Compass | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 200 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 190 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 25 city/31 highway/28 combined | 24 city/32 highway/27 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cyl.; hybrid | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Star | 4-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 103.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.8 inches | 173.4 inches |
| Width | 72.9 inches | 73.8 inches |
| Height | 63.5 inches | 64.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 36.2 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.1 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.6 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 41.8 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.8 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.9 inches | 56.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.6 inches | 55.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 31.4 cubic feet | 27.2 cubic feet |
Conclusion
While the Jeep Compass has a lower starting price and its own adventurous appeal, we give the edge to the CX-50 in this comparison. The Mazda offers a choice of three powertrains where the Jeep only has one, comes standard with a better suite of driver-assist features, can tow more (up to 3,500 pounds vs the Compass’ 2,000 pounds), and is a bit larger overall.
