2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that closely resembled its sibling, the Encore, with its trapezoidal "waterfall" grille and high beltline. It featured a slightly longer wheelbase, which gave it a more balanced appearance compared to the Encore. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetic appeal with body-colour moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery on higher trims. The controls were straightforward, though some found the rotary toggles on the steering wheel cumbersome.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, meanwhile, embraced a refined design ethos, moving away from rugged styling. It shared design elements with larger Jeep models like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. The Compass featured new wheel designs for the Sport and North models, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. Inside, the Compass offered a two-tone cabin with sophisticated digital displays and metallic trim, giving it an upscale feel. The Limited trim, in particular, exuded a sense of luxury, though some found the price steep for a small SUV.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. It came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. While the engine was capable, it was a bit noisy and lacked the smoothness expected from a Buick. The Encore GX's ride was not as settled as anticipated, and noise levels inside were higher than expected. Despite being an SUV, it was not designed for off-roading, handling only light gravel and dirt paths.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard Jeep Active Drive all-wheel-drive system. The Compass offered three driving modes: Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud, with the Trailhawk trim adding a Rock mode and hill descent control. The new engine transformed the Compass, making it more enjoyable to drive, though it still had some body motion issues on uneven surfaces. The Trailhawk trim demonstrated impressive off-road capabilities, though it could benefit from more aggressive tires.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable experience for passengers. It offered easy ingress and egress, with controls that were clearly marked and easy to use. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with them folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and an optional hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults comfortably in both rows, despite its narrow design. It featured an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. The Compass offered cloth upholstery on lower trims, with leather available on higher trims. The rear seat provided enough space for adults, though legroom was snug. Cargo space was competitive, with 770 litres behind the rear seats and 1,693 litres with them folded. Some models included a foot-activated power liftgate and a foldable front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. It included a Driver Confidence package with safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Optional tech included a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a Convenience package with wireless phone charging.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM services. It offered a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, an Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in. The Compass also had a parking assist system and a surround-view camera, though its small size made the former less necessary.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with standard driver assistance features and optional upgrades. It performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall protection. The IIHS rated it "Good" in crash tests, with "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention. However, headlight ratings varied by trim.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added drowsy driver detection and a rear-seat reminder. It included standard ADAS features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Compass had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, and the IIHS had incomplete results, though it previously qualified for a Top Safety Pick.