The Most Affordable 200-HP SUV in America Offers Great Value for Power

Costs are rising in almost all aspects of our daily lives, and so seeking out a bargain has never been more important. This is especially true when it comes to cars, as they seemingly only ever get more expensive, both to buy in the first place, and to run and maintain, too. Fortunately, there are a number of cheap options out there, but unfortunately, the majority of them are usually lackluster and uninspiring – dropping all sense of character seems to be a forgivable sin, in exchange for saving a pocket full of dollars.

However, if you know where to look, there are cars out there in 2025 that deliver both an exciting drive and great value for money. The SUV under the spotlight throughout this article is one such model, beating everything else on the market in terms of power and price.

This piece highlights the most affordable SUV in America, which offers at least 200 horsepower. Utilizing data provided by manufacturers, we delve into the essential features of this horsepower deal, followed by a comparison with competing models in the same small SUV category.

An In-Depth Examination of the Jeep Compass Compact SUV

Despite being both the smallest and cheapest offering from the brand right now, the 2025 Jeep Compass is still every part a proper Jeep, with standard all-wheel-drive, typical and traditional Jeep styling, plus plenty of equipment inside. The entry-level grade, dubbed the Sport, is kitted out with an 8.4-inch central display, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but for a more luxurious experience, you'd be better off choosing from the Latitude grade and above. Here, features such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel add an extra level of refinement to the Compass ownership experience.

Keeping things simple, for 2025 Jeep only offers four different grades, with Limited and Trailhawk models completing the set in addition to the aforementioned grades. The Limited trim is packed full of creature comforts and styling upgrades, whereas the Trailhawk is Jeep's most capable Compass. In order to succeed off-road, the all-wheel-drive Trailhawk sports Falken all-terrain tires, a traction management system, with snow and rock modes, and hill descent control, among other features.

All four grades are equipped with the same turbocharged inline-four engine, which delivers impressive power and efficiency, boasting an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 27 MPG.

Beneath the Surface: The Jeep Compass Delivers 'Top-Tier' Performance