2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with the myriad of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was characterized by a few distinguishing features, such as the grille opening and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior styling. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of grey, black, and white, with only a few more vibrant options like Obsidian Blue Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and upscale touches like wood panels and chrome, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were often seen as having more distinctive styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving some exterior updates, retained a familiar look reminiscent of a smaller Grand Cherokee. The test model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that added an upscale touch. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite trim impressed with a new dashboard design, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, elevating its premium feel. The Compass lineup offered a range of trims, from the base Sport to the top-tier Trailhawk Elite, with prices reflecting the added features and sophistication. The interior upgrades, including a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned dashboard, contributed to a more refined and sophisticated cabin experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. This powertrain provided smooth and steady acceleration, with a 0-100 km/h time of about 8 seconds. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive with other crossovers. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which maintained constant engine revs as speed increased. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. While the engine lacked a turbocharger, it was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, except for front-wheel-drive models, which had a six-speed automatic. The Compass's drivetrain was criticized for its busy and unrewarding character, with a slow automatic stop/start system and a tendency for hard engagement. The Jeep Selec-Terrain system offered different driving modes, and the Compass AWD system provided good off-road capability. However, the overall driving dynamics were seen as needing improvement.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and had a cargo capacity of 1,065 litres with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's tailgate options varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, while smaller than some competitors, provided enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite trim added premium features like 12-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved the cabin's perceived quality. The Compass offered a cargo capacity of 770 litres behind the rear seats and 1,693 litres with the seats folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with USB ports in the front and second row, and a wireless phone charger available on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.1-inch option on higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a range of connected services. The Compass also offered a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system and a wireless device charging pad. The voice recognition system was generally effective, though it had some limitations in specific scenarios.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features as standard across all trims. These features included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features for 2022, with key features available from the Trailhawk grade. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Compass was set to receive Highway Assist later in the model year, though it was not available during testing. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were generally effective, though some issues were noted with the forward-collision warning system. As of the review, crash test results for the updated Compass were not yet available.