As apparent as it is, the compact SUV segment in India has evolved at an absolutely rapid rate. Once upon a time, the idea of a small SUV would sound almost ridiculous. But as time progressed, people realized that a compact SUV makes a lot of sense. Our country was recently introduced to the legendary American marquee, Jeep. With a 65% localization level, they launched the Jeep Compass in late 2017 which ran off to an immediate success. On the other hand, you have the current segment leader from the Hyundai, the Creta. The Creta is the most successful car in this segment that is averaging a sales figure of around 10000 cars a month. Today, we will compare both these cars on their different attributes and find out which one reigns superior. So let’s start with our Jeep Compass vs Creta face-off.
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Measurements | Jeep Compass | Hyundai Creta |
Length | 4395 mm | 4270 mm |
Width | 1818 mm | 1780 mm |
Height | 1640 mm | 1665 mm |
Wheelbase | 2636 mm | 2590 mm |
Tyre Size | 215/65 R17, 225/60 R17 | 205/65 R16, 215/60 R17 |
Ground Clearance | 178 mm | 190 mm |
Boot Space | 438 Litres | 400 Litres |
Weight | 1457 to 1654 Kg | 1265-1386 Kg |
For round 1 we’ll start off with the dimension comparison as usual. Despite being made for different primary purposes, both cars are quite close in terms of size. In length and width, the Compass has a clear advantage, implying it has more leg room and can seat 3 passengers at the rear more comfortably. The Creta however, takes the advantage in height with 15mm which is a decent amount of extra headroom.
In terms of wheelbase, the Compass is ahead but for a compact SUVs, that’s a negative point. This added wheelbase gives the Compass a large turning radius making it less maneuverable than the Creta. Moving on to tyre size, the Compass wins again with a 10mm wider tyre through both options. Shockingly enough, the Compass loses out to the Creta in ground clearance! It takes back the boot space round but again loses out in terms of kerb weight with at least 199 kilograms more weight than the Creta.
Parameters | Jeep Compass | Hyundai Creta |
Capacity | 1368cc | 1591cc |
Power | 163bhp@5500RPM | 123bhp@6400RPM |
Torque | 250Nm@2600-4000RPM | 151Nm@4850RPM |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual/7-Speed Auto | 6-Speed Manual/6-Speed Auto |
Fuel Tank | 60 Litres | 55 Litres |
Mileage | 14 Km/l | 15 Km/l |
Parameters | Jeep Compass | Hyundai Creta |
Capacity | 1956cc | 1582cc (1396cc) |
Power | 173bhp@3750PM | 128bhp@4000RPM (90bhp@4000RPM) |
Torque | 350Nm@1750-2500RPM | 260Nm@1600-2500RPM (220Nm@1500-2750RPM) |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual/6-Speed Auto (6-Speed Manual) |
Fuel Tank | 60 Litres | 55 litres |
Mileage | 16 kmpl | 18 kmpl (20 kmpl) |
Coming to the performance round, both cars come in diesel and petrol variants and different permutations of transmission options. The Compass gets two different primary engines, a 1.4-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel. Only the petrol variant gets an option of a 7-speed DDCT automatic. The diesel only comes with a 6-speed manual. The Creta, on the other hand, gets a total of 3 engine choices, a 1.6-litre petrol, a 1.4-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre diesel. The 1.6-litre petrol and diesel options get a torque converter 6-speed automatic variant but the 1.4 only gets a manual 6-speed option. The Jeep Compass gets a major advantage with its 4×4 option. The Creta only comes in 4×2 which means off-road enthusiasts will have to look elsewhere.
Seeing the numbers, it’s not too hard to decipher which car has the upper hand. The Compass is a clear-cut winner. Despite the excess weight it carries, it puts out some really impressive power and torque figures. The Creta does put out a generous amount of both for its engine. However, the Compass still remains a clear victor by a very good margin. The Creta is no doubt a very capable vehicle in both the city as well as the highway. The turbo lag on the diesel is also very well managed. However, the Compass feels a notch superior in every aspect. The mild turbo lag that the Creta suffers from is almost completely absent here. The Compass with its abundance of power and torque simply tears through every road with barely any effort. The excess wheelbase works wonderfully here in giving the car on-road stability.
Both cars get 6-speed manuals but the automatic mechanisms are starkly different. The Compass gets a DDCT (Dual Dry Clutch Transmission) while the Creta relies on the good ol’ torque converter mechanism. In another surprising turn of events, the 7-Speed DDCT on the Compass falls short of the Creta’s 6-Speed torque converter. It is a well-known fact that Dual Clutch transmissions are the best in the industry. Sadly the Compass’ auto is just not up to the mark of a Volkswagen DSG. It hesitates a lot while shifting and makes the car’s otherwise concealed turbo lag very apparent. In comparison, the Creta’s torque converter sure asks for more throttle input but the shifts are perfect and on point. The gearbox has a really good understanding of how you intend to drive. In the manual option, both cars are equally competent with a light clutch effort and slick sure-slotting shifts.
The latest generation Jeep Compass was launched in India in July 2017. In top trim, it boasts of the following equipment:
As far as appearance goes, the Compass has loads of character. It looks really striking with its Grand Cherokee inspired front. Despite being slightly down on height, it looks very muscular and has a good street presence. There are numerous bulges and creases running across the car with a sloping roofline which give it a somewhat sporty appearance as well. The rear section of the Compass also looks very neatly executed with the bold Jeep logo standing out in the middle. Jump inside the Compass and you are greeted to a very plush interior. There are a few niggles like the button blanks which are quite an eyesore, but the car looks really good overall from the inside as well. Two things it’s sorely missing is a sunroof and cruise control which we hope do get added in the future.
The Hyundai Creta was launched in 2015 and recently received a majorly cosmetic facelift earlier this year. The top model of the Creta consists of the following equipment:
The Creta already has a well-established prowess in the market despite being just 3 years old. The Creta doesn’t have the brawny muscle of the Jeep but does have a very elegant appearance. It isn’t anything eye-catchy but looks really good on the road. With the facelift it received earlier this year, the car now looks a lot more pleasing, especially with those gorgeous rims. The interior is the same as the previous car with a welcoming Fluidic 2.0 design structure. All the luxury equipment bits that the Jeep is devoid of are present here. However, the Creta doesn’t have any off-road aids like the Compass and is strictly only for the road. That said, it’s quite a good-looking car and packs in a lot of equipment as most of the other Hyundais.
Variant | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
Sport 1.4 Petrol | Rs.15.34 Lakhs |
Sport 2.0 Diesel | Rs.16.55 Lakhs |
Longitude 2.0 Diesel | Rs.17.87 Lakhs |
Longitude 2.0 Diesel (O) | Rs.18.72 Lakhs |
Limited 1.4 Petrol | Rs.19.91 Lakhs |
Limited 2.0 Diesel | Rs.19.57 Lakhs |
Limited 2.0 Diesel (O) | Rs.20.16 Lakhs |
Limited 1.4 Petrol AT (O) | Rs.20.50 Lakhs |
Limited Plus 2.0 Diesel | Rs.21.07 Lakhs |
Limited 2.0 Diesel 4×4 | Rs.21.35 Lakhs |
Limited Plus 1.4 Petrol AT | Rs.21.41 Lakhs |
Limited 2.0 Diesel 4×4 (O) | Rs.21.94 Lakhs |
Limited Plus Diesel 4×4 | Rs.22.85 Lakhs |
Variant | Price(Ex-Showroom) |
E 1.6 Petrol | Rs.9.50 Lakhs |
E Plus 1.6 Petrol | Rs.9.90 Lakhs |
E Plus 1.4 CRDi Diesel | Rs.9.99 Lakhs |
S 1.4 CRDi Diesel | Rs.11.79 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 Petrol | Rs.12.03 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 Dual Tone Petrol | Rs.12.53 Lakhs |
S 1.6 AT CRDi Diesel | RS. 13.26 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 CRDi Diesel | Rs.13.33 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 Petrol (O) | Rs.13.66 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 CRDi Dual Tone | Rs.13.83 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 AT Petrol | Rs.13.53 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 AT CRDi Diesel | Rs.14.93 Lakhs |
SX 1.6 CRDi Diesel | Rs.15.10 Lakhs |