2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

Since its launch in 1997, the Toyota RAV4 has ridden a wave of crossover SUV popularity to become one of Toyota’s bestselling models. Introduced for the 2019 model year, the current-generation RAV4 tries to offer the rugged style of a traditional SUV, but underneath it’s still a car-based crossover pitched against the likes of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Because it’s only in its third model year, this fifth-generation RAV4 doesn’t get many updates for 2021. The biggest news is the addition of the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid to the lineup, but that model actually went on sale last year.

Toyota offers compact SUV buyers more choices than most competitors. The Toyota RAV4 LE, XLE, and Limited trim levels are available with hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains. Toyota also offers the gasoline-only Premium package for the XLE grade and the RAV4 Trail grade with available TRD Off-Road package, plus the RAV4 Hybrid XSE. The RAV4 Prime is also available in two trim levels—SE and XSE.

This review will focus on the gasoline RAV4. Our test car was a RAV4 Trail with the TRD Off-Road package, which joined the lineup for the 2020 model year and is the first RAV4 model tuned by Toyota Racing Development, the automaker’s North American performance division.

Jeep now considers itself a premium brand. That means it prices its vehicles a little higher than the equivalents offered by mainstream nameplates but still below the traditional luxury marques.

In exchange for this price premium, Jeep offers class-leading off-road capabilities, admission into “the club” of Jeep owners, and, with some of its models, high-end trim levels loaded with upscale materials, finishes, and features.

This year, Jeep improves the 2022 Compass in an effort to better qualify it as a premium entry. Based on a week spent in the ritzy Compass Trailhawk Elite, we think the SUV is better it was than before. But does it meet the expected standard? Not quite.