2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. Its rugged utility combined with upscale sophistication, featuring large wheels and flared fenders, made it a quintessential SUV. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, offering a blend of mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV characteristics. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, with its 5.7-litre V8 engine and premium interior, exemplified luxury, though the interior design showed signs of aging.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass, despite exterior updates, retained a familiar look reminiscent of a shrunken Grand Cherokee. The test vehicle's 19-inch wheels added an upscale touch. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite impressed with a new dashboard, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its premium SUV appeal. The Trailhawk Elite was the priciest Compass model, with a lineup starting from the base Sport trim. The Compass offered a more sophisticated interior with improved materials and design, making it a convincing premium-brand SUV.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology aimed to improve fuel efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and effective brakes made it versatile in various driving conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. While the engine lacked forced induction, it was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, except for the front-wheel-drive models with a six-speed automatic. The Compass's transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, resulting in a busy powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, and the drivetrain felt sluggish. The Compass's Selec-Terrain system and Active Drive AWD system provided off-road capabilities, with the Trailhawk trim offering enhanced features for more challenging terrains. Despite its nimble handling, the Compass's driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped interior. The front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee provided 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. However, interior storage was limited, and the rear-seat entertainment system occupied valuable space.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, with its redesigned interior, offered a more premium feel. The front seats had 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, with a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The new dashboard design and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,693 litres with the seats folded. The new centre console offered increased storage, though the bin beneath the armrest remained small. The Compass's cargo capacity exceeded that of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential tech features, it lacked the advanced digital capabilities of newer models.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, five times faster than its predecessor. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The system offered customization options, over-the-air updates, and a navigation system. The Compass also featured a wireless charging pad and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed with its capabilities.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS tests was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ParkSense parking assistance system and backup camera added convenience.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance available from the Trailhawk grade. The Compass was set to add Highway Assist later in the model year, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The Compass's safety systems worked well, though the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. As of the review, crash test results for the updated Compass were not available.