2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its familiar look since its last redesign in 2017. It resembled a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee, with our test vehicle featuring attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels in a dark sparkly finish that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass made a stronger case as a premium SUV, especially in the Trailhawk Elite specification. It boasted a new dashboard design with updated digital instrumentation and infotainment systems, soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, elevating its sophistication.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the brand’s lineup. It featured the brand’s two-line lighting signature, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70’s styling diverged further with six grades offered, including the Sport and Sport Plus grades with a sculpted hood aligning with the Genesis crest-shaped logo. Dark chrome finishes and a cross-hatched matrix pattern on the Sport grades emphasized its sporty intent. Genesis offered a wide range of exterior and interior colour combinations, with more than 100 options available, allowing for a personalized touch. The cabin featured an elliptical theme inspired by airplane wings, with premium materials and unique upholstery configurations, enhancing its luxurious feel.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its "Tigershark" moniker, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs, and a turbocharger would have improved its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with the engine, was reluctant to downshift, resulting in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard engagement when accelerating. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Active Drive AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The Trailhawk trim provided enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a low range, hill descent control, and increased ground clearance.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with our test unit featuring the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This engine positioned the GV70 against mid-level performance competitors, with power figures surpassing several German counterparts. The eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive prioritized the rear axle, transferring torque to the front wheels when necessary. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, allowing up to 100% of torque to be sent to a single rear wheel. The GV70 featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with Sport+ delivering aggressive throttle response and tenaciously held gears. The electronically controlled suspension system balanced road feel and comfort, while the tight turning radius aided urban maneuverability.

The 2022 Jeep Compass shared similar interior dimensions with the Renegade and Cherokee, offering enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite trim elevated its premium feel with features like 12-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The redesigned dashboard housed the new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, and the centre console provided increased storage. The Compass offered 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,693 litres with the seats folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized the driver with a tall centre console and intuitive controls within easy reach. The infotainment system featured a raised dial for easier use, and the climate controls provided haptic feedback. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available. The rear space offered a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, though storage was limited. The GV70 provided 819 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor when not in use.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch option on upper grades, and supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. Additional features included a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn’t the easiest to use.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 excelled in technology, with a standard 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen offering high-resolution graphics and a split-screen layout. The 3D digital instrument cluster in the Sport Plus grade provided a unique visual experience, and the Blind View Monitor system projected camera views onto the cluster. The GV70 introduced a fingerprint recognition system for keyless start and offered a premium 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades. USB ports were standard for both front and rear passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring included from the Trailhawk grade. Highway Assist was expected later in the model year, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The Compass also offered parking assistance and a 360-degree camera system. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with acceleration. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance. The rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement, and the Highway Driving Assist system included lane centring and automatic lane changing. The head-up display showed vehicle positions, enhancing safety awareness. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available, but the quality of the on-board systems was commendable.