Drivers in Benton, AR, who want a small SUV usually look at two names first: the Jeep Compass and the Honda CR-V. Both are compact SUVs built for daily driving, and both come packed with safety features and modern technology. But once you look past the badge, the two SUVs take very different approaches. In this guide, Chris Crain Dodge Jeep RAM compares the 2026 Jeep Compass and the 2026 Honda CR-V on design, performance, technology, and safety. Then we explain why we think the Compass is the smarter buy for drivers around Benton. Overview The 2026 Jeep Compass comes in six trims, from the Latitude up to the off-road-ready Trailhawk and the upscale Limited Altitude. Prices start at $29,550, and every single trim comes standard with four-wheel drive. The 2026 Honda CR-V offers seven trims, starting at $30,920 for the base LX and climbing to $42,550 for the loaded Hybrid Sport Touring. The CR-V's lineup is split between gas trims and hybrid trims, giving buyers more choices when it comes to fuel economy. Right away, the Compass has a lower starting price and gives every buyer four-wheel drive without paying extra for it. You can browse our current lineup on our new vehicle inventory page, or read more in our earlier post on what's new with the Jeep Compass. Design The Compass has the look Jeep is known for: a bold seven-slot grille, round headlights, and a boxy, rugged shape that hints at real off-road ability. The Trailhawk trim goes even further, with red tow hooks, unique badging, and a stance built for trails, not just parking lots. The CR-V has a smoother, more rounded shape that leans into a mainstream crossover look. It is a clean design, but it does not have the same rugged personality as the Compass. If you want an SUV that looks ready for more than just the school run, the Compass has the edge. Performance Every 2026 Compass uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. That is more torque than the CR-V's base gas engine, and it comes with four-wheel drive standard on every trim, not just as an option on higher-priced models. The CR-V's base engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 190 horsepower. Honda also offers hybrid trims that make 204 horsepower and reach around 40 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form, which beats the Compass on fuel economy. Still, most CR-V trims come with front-wheel drive as the standard setup, with all-wheel drive costing more. For Benton drivers who deal with wet roads, gravel, or the occasional muddy trail, the Compass's standard four-wheel drive is hard to beat, no matter which trim you choose. Technology Step inside the Compass, and you will find an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with heated front and rear seats available even on mid-range trims. The cabin seats five and offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, plenty of room for groceries, sports gear, or luggage for a weekend trip. The layout is straightforward and easy to use, without a lot of extra menus to dig through. The CR-V comes with a slightly larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and a wireless charging pad standard across the lineup. Honda's infotainment system is a strong setup, and it is one area where the CR-V pulls ahead of the Compass on paper. That said, the Compass still gives Benton drivers everything they actually need day to day, at a lower starting price than the CR-V asks for its base trim. Safety Both SUVs take safety seriously. The Compass comes with a full suite of driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist, along with a standard rearview camera. Higher trims add more advanced safety tech and a hill descent control system, which is especially useful on the steeper roads found around Central Arkansas. The CR-V answers with Honda Sensing, a well-known suite that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and collision mitigation braking, standard across every trim. Honda Sensing is a strong, well-rounded system. The Compass matches it closely feature for feature, while also backing up its safety tech with the kind of standard four-wheel-drive grip that helps you avoid a slippery situation in the first place. Our Choice After comparing both small SUVs, we believe the 2026 Jeep Compass is the better choice for drivers in Benton, AR. It costs less to start, comes with four-wheel drive on every single trim, and offers real off-road ability through the Trailhawk model that the CR-V simply cannot match. The CR-V's hybrid fuel economy and slightly larger touchscreen are worth considering, but the Compass gives Benton drivers more capability and a lower price at the same time. Ready to see the 2026 Jeep Compass for yourself? Visit Chris Crain Dodge Jeep RAM in Benton to test drive one today, or check out our Fast Track My Deal tool to get started on financing before you even step onto the lot. Our team is also ready to help you find the right trim for your budget and driving needs, so stop by and see what makes the Compass a smart pick for Central Arkansas roads.
Arkansas Duck Season: Best Trucks and Jeeps for Hunters
Arkansas is known as the duck hunting capital of the world. Every winter, hunters from across the country head to our flooded timber, rice fields, and river bottoms. If you live in Benton or anywhere in central Arkansas, you know the feeling of a cold, dark morning and the sound of wings overhead. The 2026-27 duck season runs in three parts: November 21-29, December 10-23, and December 26 through January 31, 2027. That gives you plenty of time to get out there. But before you load the decoys, ask yourself one question: Is your vehicle ready for the trip? At Chris Crain Dodge Jeep Ram in Benton, we know that the right truck or Jeep can make or break a hunt. Here is what to look for and which 2027 models we think are the best fit for duck hunters. What Duck Hunters Need in a Vehicle Duck hunting is hard on a vehicle. Boat ramps are slick. Levee roads turn to mud after one rain. Some mornings start well below freezing. A good hunting rig should handle all of that without a second thought. Here is what matters most: Four-wheel drive. Mud, wet grass, and steep ramps call for real 4x4 traction. Towing power. Most duck boats and mud motors ride on a trailer. You need enough muscle to pull them up a slick ramp. Cargo space. Decoys, blinds, waders, shotguns, and a dog crate take up a lot of room. Ground clearance. Ruts and puddles on back roads can hang up a low vehicle. Comfort features. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel feel great after hours in a cold blind. Good tires matter just as much as the vehicle. Check out our RAM tire pressure guide and our Jeep tire pressure guide before you head out. Cold weather drops tire pressure, so check yours often during the season. 2027 Ram 1500: The All-Around Hunting Truck The 2027 Ram 1500 is a great pick for most duck hunters. It rides smoothly on the highway, but it still has the strength to pull a boat through the mud. The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo engine can tow up to about 11,500 pounds when properly equipped. That is more than enough for a jon boat, a mud motor, and a trailer full of gear. You can also choose from several other engines, including the classic 5.7L HEMI V8. Here are a few 2027 updates hunters will like: Available 360-degree camera on more trims, including Laramie and Rebel. It makes backing a trailer down a dark boat ramp much easier. Available 2 kW onboard power with two 120V outlets in the bed on Pentastar V6 models. Plug in a spotlight, a heater, or a coffee maker at camp. RamBox delete option on Limited and Limited Longhorn trims for the widest possible bed. Want to go further off the beaten path? The Ram 1500 RHO is built for rough terrain. Read more in our Ram 1500 RHO features and specs blog. And if you plan to upgrade your tires for mud, see our Ram 1500 tire size guide. 2027 Ram 2500: For Big Boats and Heavy Loads If you pull a big boat, haul a side-by-side, or carry a full hunting camp, the 2027 Ram 2500 is the truck for you. This heavy-duty pickup is built to work hard all season long. The gas 6.4L HEMI V8 makes 410 horsepower. For even more pulling power, the available 6.7L Cummins High-Output turbo diesel makes 430 horsepower and a huge 1,075 lb-ft of torque. That kind of torque makes a steep, muddy ramp feel easy. New for 2027: The Payload Upgrade Package on most HEMI models increases payload capacity to up to 4,580 pounds. Power Wagon with Cummins diesel power for the first time. It comes with locking front and rear differentials, 34-inch tires, and a 31-gallon fuel tank good for about 600 miles of range. Standalone Warn winch available on HEMI Rebel and Power Wagon models. That is a lifesaver if you or a buddy gets stuck in a flooded field. Not sure if you need a half-ton or a heavy-duty truck? Our Ram 1500 vs. 2500 vs. 3500 comparison breaks down the differences among the models. Visit us today at Chris Crain Dodge Jeep Ram in Benton, AR!