CUPRA Formentor vs Jeep Compass
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The CUPRA Formentor starts from $49,990 before on-road costs, while the Jeep Compass opens at $50,500. That makes the CUPRA Formentor the more affordable entry point by $510.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $54,989 and $55,550 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Jeep Compass by roughly $1,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The CUPRA Formentor features a 12-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Jeep Compass gets a 10.1-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The CUPRA Formentor stands out with power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Jeep Compass. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the CUPRA Formentor gets cloth upholstery while the Jeep Compass offers leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the CUPRA Formentor and 2-zone in the Jeep Compass.
Drivetrain
The CUPRA Formentor uses a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The Jeep Compass responds with a Petrol I4 Mild Hybrid + 48V making 96kW and 240Nm, paired to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10 seconds.
The CUPRA Formentor has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 96kW. In the real-world sprint, the CUPRA Formentor is 3.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The CUPRA Formentor measures 4,450mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 46mm longer than the Jeep Compass at 4,404mm (2,636mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the CUPRA Formentor generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 420L in the CUPRA Formentor and 438L in the Jeep Compass, giving the Jeep Compass a 18L advantage.
For towing, the CUPRA Formentor leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,450kg. That 50kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.7m to 11.1m
Based on 10.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,767/year for the CUPRA Formentor and $1,454/year for the Jeep Compass. That is a $313 annual difference in favour of the Jeep Compass.
Estimated annual total: $1,767 (CUPRA Formentor) vs $1,454 (Jeep Compass). The Jeep Compass saves you roughly $313 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Formentor) vs 5 years / 100,000km (Jeep Compass). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the CUPRA Formentor if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Jeep Compass if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Jeep's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CUPRA Formentor takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Jeep Compass will save you roughly $313 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, CUPRA Formentor and Jeep Compass?
The CUPRA Formentor is the cheapest at $49,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Jeep Compass by $510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jeep Compass uses the least fuel at 5.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — CUPRA Formentor all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Jeep Compass has the largest boot at 438L.
Which can tow the most?
The CUPRA Formentor has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The CUPRA Formentor makes the most power at 110kW. The CUPRA Formentor is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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