Compare | Farmington, MO Two small SUVs with standard 4x4 and an off road minded trim at the end of each lineup. They part ways on power, cargo room and how they want to be used on a Saturday. Spring is when people around Farmington start thinking about the lake, the river and the state parks again. It's also when a lot of shoppers who want something smaller than a full size SUV end up comparing the Ford Bronco Sport and the Jeep Compass. On paper they look close. Both are compact, both come with four wheel drive on every 2026 model, and both offer an off road focused trim with extra hardware. They part ways on power, cargo room and how they want to be used on a Saturday. Spend time in each and the differences get clearer, especially once you load gear, hook up a small trailer or turn onto a gravel road. Quick answer: The Ford Bronco Sport offers more power on its Badlands trim, more cargo space, a 13.2 inch touchscreen on every model and up to 2,200 pounds of towing, or 2,700 on the Badlands, when properly equipped. The Jeep Compass uses a 200 horsepower 2.0L turbo across the lineup, tows up to 2,000 pounds, and offers low range gearing on the Trailhawk. Drivers who haul gear and spend weekends outdoors often find the Ford Bronco Sport the better fit. Ford Bronco Sport towing Up to 2,200 lbs, 2,700 on Badlands Jeep Compass towing Up to 2,000 lbs Both offer Standard 4x4 on every 2026 model In this post Power and fuel 4x4 and gravel Cargo and towing Cabin and tech Which one fits How Do the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Compass Compare on Power? Jeep keeps it simple. Every 2026 Jeep Compass uses a 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder with 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8 speed automatic. For 2026, the lineup starts at the Latitude and runs up through the Limited and the Trailhawk. The Ford Bronco Sport gives you two engines. Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks models use a 1.5L EcoBoost with 180 horsepower and 200 lb-ft. The Badlands steps up to a 2.0L EcoBoost with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. Both run through an 8 speed automatic. Fuel economy lands close for the everyday versions. The EPA rates the 1.5L Bronco Sport 4x4 at 25 city, 30 highway and 27 combined. The Compass comes in at 23 city, 31 highway and 26 combined. The more powerful Badlands drops to 23 combined, which is the trade for that extra muscle. Which Handles Gravel, Ice and Trails Better? Every 2026 Bronco Sport and every 2026 Compass comes with four wheel drive. That alone covers most of what Southeast Missouri throws at a small SUV, from a January ice storm to a washed out gravel road after a spring downpour. Our February trim guide walks through the Bronco Sport's G.O.A.T. Modes trim by trim. For this matchup, the piece that stands out is the Badlands. Its Advanced 4x4 system uses a twin clutch rear drive unit that can send torque to a single rear wheel when the other three lose grip. That same system comes with the Sasquatch Outer Banks Package. On the Compass, Jeep Active Drive 4x4 is standard with Selec-Terrain modes for Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud. The Trailhawk earns Jeep's Trail Rated badge and adds Active Drive Low with a 20:1 crawl ratio, Rock mode, Hill Descent Control and all terrain tires. That low range gearing is a real plus for slow, steep climbs. Ground clearance Ford lists up to 8.8 inches of ground clearance for the Bronco Sport with available all terrain tires, and the figure varies by trim. KBB lists the 2026 Compass at 8.1 inches, and Jeep gives the Trailhawk a one inch factory lift. On a rutted farm lane, either one clears more than a typical car. Ironton driver tip The roads into the Arcadia Valley climb and twist, and a summer storm can leave gravel and branches across the pavement in a hurry. Slippery mode on a Bronco Sport or Snow mode on a Compass helps on loose stuff, but slowing down for the blind curves helps more. Which Carries More Gear and Tows More? This is where the Bronco Sport's boxy shape earns its keep. Ford lists up to 32.5 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 65.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded on 1.5L models. Jeep lists the 2026 Compass at 27.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.8 cubic feet with it folded. The tall, square cargo opening on the Bronco Sport makes coolers, tackle boxes and camp chairs easier to stack. Towing follows the same pattern. With the available Class II trailer tow package, 1.5L Bronco Sport trims are rated up to 2,200 pounds. The Badlands is rated up to 2,700 pounds when properly equipped. Jeep rates the Compass at up to 2,000 pounds. None of these are built for a camper. They are about right for a pair of kayaks on a small trailer, a jon boat for Big River or a utility trailer for yard work. Check the door jamb sticker for your vehicle's exact payload before loading up. They part ways on power, cargo room and how they want to be used on a Saturday. Explore the Ford Bronco Sport Bronco Sport Research What Is It Like Inside the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Compass? Every 2026 Ford Bronco Sport comes with a 13.2 inch center touchscreen. Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks get an 8 inch digital cluster, and the Badlands gets a 12.3 inch cluster. For 2026, Ford also made a 5G modem standard and included the Ford Connectivity Package for the first year, so features in the Ford app like remote start and vehicle status work out of the box once you activate them. The Compass runs Uconnect 5 on a touchscreen of up to 10.1 inches, depending on trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an available 10.25 inch digital cluster. For 2026, Jeep added heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and remote start to the Trailhawk, a nice touch on a frosty February morning in Farmington. Both cabins seat five. The surest way to judge comfort is to sit in each with the people who ride with you most, and to load the car seat or the dog crate you use every week. Which Small SUV Fits Your Life in Southeast Missouri? Owning either one means years of oil changes, tires and the occasional repair. Every new Ford sold at Sam Scism Ford includes Warranty Forever at no charge, covering listed powertrain parts for as long as you own it when you keep up the customary maintenance and keep records. Service is right here on Flat River Road. Fits you if Ford Bronco Sport You haul coolers, bikes or camp gear and want more cargo room You'd like 250 horsepower and a twin clutch rear drive unit in the Badlands You tow a small trailer up to 2,200 pounds, or 2,700 with the Badlands A big 13.2 inch touchscreen on every trim matters to you You want service close to home in Farmington Fits you if Jeep Compass Low range gearing with a 20:1 crawl ratio is high on your list You want a Trailhawk with heated seats, a heated wheel and remote start You prefer one engine choice across the lineup Your towing stays under 2,000 pounds A back to back drive settles more than any comparison. Take a Ford Bronco Sport out on US 67 and a stretch of gravel near Farmington, and decide from the driver seat. Warranty Forever Every new Ford Bronco Sport sold at Sam Scism Ford includes Warranty Forever at no charge. It covers listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts for as long as you own the vehicle, regardless of miles, with no deductible. Keep up with the customary maintenance and records. See the dealer for details. How it works Power and Efficiency How much horsepower does the Ford Bronco Sport have? + Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks models use a 1.5L EcoBoost with 180 horsepower. The Badlands uses a 2.0L EcoBoost with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. What engine is in the 2026 Jeep Compass? + Every 2026 Compass uses a 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder with 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft, paired with an 8 speed automatic. Which gets better gas mileage, the Bronco Sport or the Compass? + The EPA rates the 1.5L Bronco Sport 4x4 at 27 combined and the Compass at 26 combined. The Bronco Sport Badlands comes in at 23 combined. 4x4 and Off Road Is four wheel drive standard on the Ford Bronco Sport? + Every 2026 Bronco Sport comes with 4x4. The Badlands adds the Advanced 4x4 system with a twin clutch rear drive unit. What does Trail Rated mean on the Jeep Compass Trailhawk? + It's Jeep's badge for its off road trims. On the Compass Trailhawk it comes with Active Drive Low, a 20:1 crawl ratio, Rock mode and Hill Descent Control. Which handles an icy Missouri morning better? + Both come with standard 4x4, so tires and speed matter more than the badge. Slippery mode on the Bronco Sport and Snow mode on the Compass tune traction for slick roads. Cargo and Towing How much can a Ford Bronco Sport tow? + 1.5L trims are rated up to 2,200 pounds with the available Class II package. The Badlands is rated up to 2,700 pounds when properly equipped. How much can a Jeep Compass tow? + Jeep rates the 2026 Compass at up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped. Which has more cargo space? + Ford lists up to 65.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded on 1.5L Bronco Sport models. Jeep lists the 2026 Compass at 59.8 cubic feet. Cabin and Technology What size screen comes in the Ford Bronco Sport? + A 13.2 inch center touchscreen is standard on every 2026 Bronco Sport. The cluster is 8 inches on most trims and 12.3 inches on the Badlands. Does the Jeep Compass Trailhawk have heated seats? + For 2026, Jeep added heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and remote start to the Compass Trailhawk. Check the window sticker on other trims. Does the Ford Bronco Sport work with the Ford app? + Every 2026 Bronco Sport has a standard 5G modem and includes the Ford Connectivity Package for the first year, which supports remote features in the Ford app once activated. Buying and Ownership Does a new Ford Bronco Sport include Warranty Forever at Sam Scism Ford? + Every new Ford sold at the store includes Warranty Forever at no charge, covering listed powertrain parts for as long as you own it. Customary maintenance and records keep it in force. Can I trade my Jeep Compass for a Ford Bronco Sport? + We take trades of any make and condition. Get an online value first or bring the vehicle to 5019 Flat River Road for an appraisal. Can I order a Ford Bronco Sport with specific options? + Sam Scism Ford can place a custom factory order for the trim, color and packages you want when Ford's order bank is open. Lead times vary. Find a Ford Bronco Sport See the Ford Bronco Sport models in stock now. Shop New Inventory Trade in your SUV Get an offer on your current vehicle, any make. Value Your Trade