Compass trailhawk vs Cherokee trailhawk

[Trail_pilot]

I am curious why there are so few compass builds and seems like a growing number of Cherokees. The have basically the same drivetrain ( Cherokee offers a larger motor but other than that almost identical it seems) and a slightly larger tire, but the compass actually has more storage capacity. The aftermarket doesn't really look at the compass as much as the Cherokee it seems. Curious what others thoughts are. I have a compass as I used to have a very long commute, but that has been shortened from 1.5-2 hours each way to 12 minutes so I am going to treat the compass as my long range "overland" vehicle to get to some light trails and easier camp spots.

 

[UgotWheelz]

From specs alone I would say GrandCherokee because of the transfercase.

 

[Trail_pilot]

From specs alone I would say GrandCherokee because of the transfercase.

I'd rather a wrangler or gladiator but that's not really the question.

 

[UgotWheelz]

I'd rather a wrangler or gladiator but that's not really the question.

I was avoiding mentioning a different vehicle because it wasn't the question myself.

 

[Trail_pilot]

I was avoiding mentioning a different vehicle because it wasn't the question myself.

Lol don't get me wrong a Grand Cherokee done up well is bad ass. But I own 3 vehicles a 1 has way more money into it than it should, and still the 3 of them don't even add up close to the sticker price of a Grand Cherokee lol

 

[Autism Family Travels]

We run our patriot, there is no reason your compass won't go TONS of places in the back country.

 

[Trail_pilot]

We run our patriot, there is no reason your compass won't go TONS of places in the back country.

I had a Patriot before the compass. used to get it into some pretty decent spots. Unfortunately that one was totaled and that's how I ended up with the Compass.

 

[J.W.]

The drivetrains are not the same. The Cherokee trailhawk has rear lockers, Compass does not. Cherokee is rated for towing 4500, Complass is rated for 2000. The Cherokee tops out at 271hp with the V6, the Compass tops out at 180hp with the I4. Even the I4 option on the Cherokee has 270hp. I think the factory ground clearance is higher on the Cherokee too.

I only know this stuff because when I was researching new vehicles, Both the Cherokee and the Compass were on my test drive list. I imagine the Compass would be a fine platform for overlanding but, like you say, the aftermarket support is a bit more sparce. Though, honestly, the newer style Cherokee is light on aftermarket stuff too. I just got my Gobi ladder last month. Had to wait a year and 1/2 for them to finish the design.

 

[Trail_pilot]

The drivetrains are not the same. The Cherokee trailhawk has rear lockers, Compass does not. Cherokee is rated for towing 4500, Complass is rated for 2000. The Cherokee tops out at 271hp with the V6, the Compass tops out at 180hp with the I4. Even the I4 option on the Cherokee has 270hp. I think the factory ground clearance is higher on the Cherokee too.

I only know this stuff because when I was researching new vehicles, Both the Cherokee and the Compass were on my test drive list. I imagine the Compass would be a fine platform for overlanding but, like you say, the aftermarket support is a bit more sparce. Though, honestly, the newer style Cherokee is light on aftermarket stuff too. I just got my Gobi ladder last month. Had to wait a year and 1/2 for them to finish the design.

Holy! Year and a half is a hell of a wait.
I knew the engines were a main difference in the 2 vehicles. Didn't realize the Cherokee had a rear locker. I didn't like the Cherokee when I looked at one and went for the compass ( price tag helped with that decision too). I though that other than the engine things were basically the same.

 

[J.W.]

Outside of the US you can get a diesel Compass. I wish they offered that here.

 

[DevilDodge]

Well, the best way to overland is use the vehicle you have. So I must say I am a bit confused.

Are you looking to trade your Compass?

Otherwise sounds like a great idea to start using the Compass as your overland rig.

If you are asking which is better a compass or Cherokee trail hawk? My answer would be Cherokee...but not sure that is what you are asking either.

And you said the compass has more room...which I am not sure of...but that would be more important really.

We have a Cherokee Limited and it has gone about everywhere in the state forest dispersed camping areas that my RAM 2500 has.

They are quite capable even without the trail hawk package.

So are you looking to use your Compass...or thinking to trade it and wanted to know compass or Cherokee trail hawk?

 

[J.W.]

So are you looking to use your Compass...or thinking to trade it and wanted to know compass or Cherokee trail hawk?

I believe he was just puzzled why the Compass does not have as much aftermarket support as the Cherokee. My explanation of the differences was meant to address why not as many aftermarket companies had built on the Compass platfrom.

But yes, you are correct, use what you have. The Compass in the Trailhawk trim will get you most places you want to be. I‘m pretty sure @Trail_pilot has a nicely built Wrangler too so I don’t think that’s the issue.

 

[Trail_pilot]

Well, the best way to overland is use the vehicle you have. So I must say I am a bit confused.

Are you looking to trade your Compass?

Otherwise sounds like a great idea to start using the Compass as your overland rig.

If you are asking which is better a compass or Cherokee trail hawk? My answer would be Cherokee...but not sure that is what you are asking either.

And you said the compass has more room...which I am not sure of...but that would be more important really.

We have a Cherokee Limited and it has gone about everywhere in the state forest dispersed camping areas that my RAM 2500 has.

They are quite capable even without the trail hawk package.

So are you looking to use your Compass...or thinking to trade it and wanted to know compass or Cherokee trail hawk?

No I plan to use the compass. Just more curious why there seems to be way more aftermarket for the Cherokee than the compass and there seems to be so few compasses built up for the task. I've been using the compass for about a year and a half now and have some things I want to add to it. Considering a larger vehicle because I have a toddler that we also bring with us and if I go out without my wife it's usually in my TJ. But a larger vehicle isn't in the budget for now so I plan to make the best with what I've got at the moment lol.

 

[UgotWheelz]

I shouldn't talk I have a Focus RS with 500HP a slight lift and Wildpeaks! My last car before that was a Mazdaspeed3 with 550BHP and AWD conversion that kept destroying rear differentials. Before that was 2 Suzuki Aerio SX's one with auto and AWD same platform as Jeep Renegade/Fiat 500X and a Manual 5 spd FWD. Before that its a very long list of tuned Renaults mostly R5's. I had a few R9GTA's, R11GTX, R17G, and a long term loaner R18I wagon. Before that was 4 Renault 4CV's; 4 to make one complete and run, and I have a few Renault 8's I never drove. Those Renault 5's are go anywhere Rally/Safari conquering monsters. You would be surprised where you can go with FWD some luck, skill, and a good set of Michelin 155-80-13 A/s tires. I regularly drove Jeep trails, sand dunes, unimproved and forest roads never got stuck.

As long as you plan for your weather, have some basic repair recovery gear, just go for it; it doesn't matter what you drive! Have some fun find out what you can and cant go so you know next time what to improve. I have seen little Renegades in some pretty obscure trails while cycling wondering how they got there.

Example: My Neighbor has a old VW Squareback project he has been building up from scrap yard parts for at least 10 years. It runs, drives daily, and every weekend he takes it out what he calls "Mudd'n" and makes it back under its own power every weekend; sometimes with a few new battle scars. Last week he installed a new carb and did not know how to jet it so I got to help and take a look at it. It appears to be 67ish Bug IRS pan, with a Type3 square back body, with a body lift, he has a single port 1600 engine and an auto trani. He has 30" wrangler tires. He and his buddies have a hell of a time every weekend just seeking how far they can push the little VW and sometimes that is what it takes, allot of pushing. That is what they have and they have a blast doing it. Ill get some pics Monday when he gets back from the mountain. UPDATE His Mom says it's famous on Internet use to have a Bus drivetrain originally. Its white with plastic black rivet on 4x4 flares.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

No I plan to use the compass. Just more curious why there seems to be way more aftermarket for the Cherokee than the compass and there seems to be so few compasses built up for the task. I've been using the compass for about a year and a half now and have some things I want to add to it. Considering a larger vehicle because I have a toddler that we also bring with us and if I go out without my wife it's usually in my TJ. But a larger vehicle isn't in the budget for now so I plan to make the best with what I've got at the moment lol.

The old addage, RUN WHATCHA BRUNG! There are parts out there for the compass if you look, yes the cherokee has more, but it's been in the market longer. With a few items your compass can be a really good travelling rig.

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I plan to make the best with what I've got at the moment

Speaking words of wisdom......

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Does the compass have 18's? if so, I would move to 17s to get a better tire selection. I like the kumho at 51 I had on my pat but I am trying the AT3W Falkens this spring.

 

[Trail_pilot]

Does the compass have 18's? if so, I would move to 17s to get a better tire selection. I like the kumho at 51 I had on my pat but I am trying the AT3W Falkens this spring.

It's got 17s but I wish they were smaller. How do you like the falkens? Looking at those for my next set.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

My buddy has them on the TJ we were working on. I love them on that. That's why they are going on both the wrangler and the patriot this spring. I had AT51 last go round. They lasted a decent amount of time, but they had a weird handing thing going on when new for the first 2000-3000kms where the wheel felt really flighty on the highway (patriot, not wrangler). After that they settled in. that being said, I am going to go out on a limb and say the falkens will not be like that.

 

[Cooper Pason]

The Cherokee trailhawk has a low range which is really helpful off-road and it also has a locking rear differential