The Jeep Compass fills a gap in the Jeep fleet that bridges between SUV and car. The styling with the round headlights and seven port grill maintains a family resemblance to other Jeep vehicles. There is an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provides no shift points and constantly keeps the power to the wheels via an elastic-like metal band. Very similar in most components to its brother the Jeep Patriot, the Jeep Compass is the most car-like Jeep currently built. The optional 165 horsepower (172 lbs feet of torque) 2.4 liter 4-cylinder Jeep is surprisingly thriftier than the base model’s 2.0 liter 4-cylinder power-plant (when coupled to the 5-speed manual transmission). We used the Jeep Compass 4WD Freedom-Drive I™ which is available with the 5-speed manual transmission and the FWD, 5-speed manual transmission Jeep Compass which are the best performers on the EPA’s list. Compass achieves a Smartway score.
Air Pollution Score = 7
Greenhouse Score = 7
EPA fuel mileage is 23 city mpg and 28 highway mpg.
With third row seating, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the smallest hybrid SUV to currently offer a third row. The towing package includes a heavy-duty radiator, 240-watt fan coupling, transmission oil cooler with water cooler and pre-wired harness, giving the Highlander a 3500-lb. towing capacity. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is truly utilitarian. The hybrid engine is a 3.3 liter double overhead cam (DOHC), 24-valve VVT-i V6 producing 208 horsepower at 5600 rpm (with 212 lbs feet of torque). Additionally, the electric motor’s power output is 167 horsepower utilizing a permanent magnet motor; the power of which is stored in sealed Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. For the 4WD version, an additional 68 horsepower electric motor powers the rear wheels – good for inclement conditions. All of this leads the 4508 lbs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid to a 0-60 time of 8.1 seconds. The combined figure for overall fuel consumption is approximately 26 mpg. Cargo volume behind the first row is 94.1 cubic feet, second row is 42 cubic feet and the third row is 10.3 feet. Based on the current Toyota Camry platform, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s overall performance is more akin to a family car than a heavy SUV. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieves a Smartway score.
Air Pollution Score = 9
Greenhouse Gas Score = 7
EPA fuel mileage is 27 city mpg and 25 highway mpg.