2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. Despite its third-generation design dating back to 2011, the Durango's 2021 model year updates, particularly the SRT Hellcat variant, showcased a bold exterior with features like a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The SUV offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, enhancing its appeal. Inside, the Durango's cabin received a modernized instrument panel and the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available in either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The interior offered a range of upholstery options, from cloth to premium leather, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours adding a touch of flair.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass, while receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained a familiar look since its 2017 redesign. The Compass Trailhawk Elite, however, stood out with its premium interior, featuring a redesigned dashboard, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening. The model lineup ranged from the base Sport to the top-tier Trailhawk Elite, with prices reflecting the added features and sophistication. The Compass's interior improvements, including a new centre console and a hands-free power liftgate, contributed to its elevated sense of quality, making it a more convincing premium SUV option.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing up to 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The R/T model featured a 5.7-litre V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, while the SRT 392 boasted a 392 HEMI V8 delivering 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The pinnacle of performance was the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat, generating an impressive 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Durango's chassis showed its age, with a suspension that transmitted bumps to the cabin. The SUV's steering was precise, and its braking system, particularly in the Hellcat, was robust. The Durango also offered a Tow N Go Package, enhancing its towing capacity to 8,700 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. While the engine, dubbed "Tigershark," lacked the power of its competitors, it was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, except for the front-wheel-drive Sport model, which had a six-speed automatic. The Compass's drivetrain was less engaging, with a transmission that prioritized fuel efficiency over performance. The Jeep Selec-Terrain system offered various driving modes, and the Compass Trailhawk's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its Active Drive Low AWD system. However, the Compass's driving dynamics, including its suspension and acceleration, left room for improvement.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space, while the third row was more accommodating than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, but its fit and finish had improved significantly over the years, contributing to its appeal as a versatile family SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite's interior upgrades, including 12-way power-adjustable front seats and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, enhanced its premium feel. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved the Compass's perceived quality. The cargo area, accessible via a hands-free power liftgate, provided 770 litres of space, expandable to 1,693 litres with the rear seats folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available on higher trims with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system offered enhanced personalization, connected services, and wireless smartphone integration. A rear-seat entertainment system was also available, adding to the Durango's family-friendly appeal. However, the analog speedometer's design made it challenging to read at a glance, and the lack of a head-up display was a notable omission.

The 2022 Jeep Compass also benefited from the Uconnect 5 system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.1-inch option on upper trims. The system supported wireless smartphone connectivity, over-the-air updates, and a range of connected services. The Compass offered additional features like a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, and a premium sound system. While the voice recognition system was generally effective, it occasionally struggled with specific requests, highlighting room for improvement in user experience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its competitors in safety features, with only a back-up camera as standard. Optional safety technologies included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a Marginal score from the IIHS for small overlap frontal impact and a four-star front crash rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety offerings, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance available from the Trailhawk grade. The Compass also offered adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally produced false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with smooth acceleration. As of the review, updated crash test results were not available, but previous ratings indicated areas for improvement.