Compare the2026 Jeep CompassVS 2026 Nissan Murano

The Compass’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Murano doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Compass has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Murano doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Jeep Compass achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Murano has not been tested.

Both the Compass and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Compass’ warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Compass has a standard 850-amp battery. The Murano’s 760-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

On the EPA test cycle the Compass gets better fuel mileage than the Murano (23 city/31 hwy vs. 21 city/27 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Compass higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Murano (5). This means the Compass produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Murano every 15,000 miles.

The Compass stops shorter than the Murano:

The Compass Limited’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano Platinum’s 50 series tires.

The Compass Trailhawk has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Murano; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Compass has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Murano doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Compass’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Murano doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Compass Trailhawk’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Murano’s (35.3 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Compass 4x4 Sport/Latitude/Limited’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Murano’s (36.3 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Compass Trailhawk has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (8.6 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Compass to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Jeep Compass may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 750 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The Compass is 1 foot, 7.5 inches shorter than the Murano, making the Compass easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Murano is limited to 1500 pounds. The Compass offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Damping on the Compass uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Murano doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Compass’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Murano does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Compass’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Murano’s power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Compass’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Murano’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Compass has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Compass has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Murano SL/Platinum.

The Compass offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Murano doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Jeep Compass retains 53.93% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 44.66% resale value of the 2025 Nissan Murano after five years, which can save the Jeep’s owner up to $10001.60434 in depreciation.

The Jeep Compass outsold the Nissan Murano by over six to one during 2024.