2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, which contributed to a sleeker appearance. The grille was more upright and flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look compared to its predecessor. While it maintained a car-based crossover design, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors. The interior featured a creatively designed dashboard with a touchscreen and large air vents, offering decent materials and fit and finish for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, providing a bit more personality, though the interior was somewhat subdued.

The 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a refined design ethos, moving away from rugged styling. It shared design elements with larger Jeep models, offering a more upscale look. The Compass Sport and North models received new 17-inch wheels, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The interior of the Limited trim, with its two-tone black and gray cabin and caramel accents, exuded a sense of luxury. The Compass's design was complemented by sophisticated digital displays and metallic trim, though the high price tag raised questions about its value compared to small luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox offered more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine performed well in city driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox lacked sporty handling and the refinement of some competitors.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard Jeep Active Drive all-wheel-drive system, the Compass offered improved performance. The Trailhawk version featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a low range and a 20:1 crawl ratio, enhancing off-road capabilities. While the new engine transformed the Compass's driving experience, it wasn't as powerful as it could be, prioritizing fuel economy. The Compass's handling was improved, but it remained tall and narrow, affecting ride quality on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front-seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with the seats folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults in both rows, offering decent comfort for four people. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims offered leather seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The Limited trim provided a comfortable seating position with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Rear-seat space was adequate, with generous foot room and supportive seat cushions. Cargo space was competitive, with 770 litres behind the back seat and 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded. Some models featured a foot-activated power liftgate and a foldable front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. Wireless connectivity was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small. The system covered essential features without much fuss.

The 2023 Jeep Compass boasted a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting Bluetooth pairing for two devices and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. It offered SiriusXM satellite radio, SiriusXM Guardian connected services, and OTA updates. Depending on the trim, it paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel and featured an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The Alpine audio system was bass-heavy, and the parking assist system was available, though the Compass's small size made it less necessary.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but received a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a standard drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims. The lane-keeping inputs were sometimes intrusive, and adaptive cruise control wasn't always smooth. NHTSA ratings were unavailable, and the IIHS had incomplete test results. The Compass was ineligible for a Top Safety Pick rating until further testing.