2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

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.

As a brand, Mazda has been punching above its weight for well over a decade now. Whether it’s the three-row CX-9 SUV or Mazda3 compact car, you can expect a higher-quality interior and a more refined ride than respective rivals in a given segment. This is no different for the 2022 Mazda CX-30.

The CX-30 is a subcompact crossover SUV introduced as a 2020 model, supplementing the similar-sized Mazda CX-3. It carries over to the 2022 model year, just as the CX-3 has been discontinued. The CX-30 addresses the shortcomings of the CX-3 without losing any of that crossover’s positive attributes. The CX-30 has a more spacious cabin than the CX-3, but retains the fun-to-drive nature, and has an even more upscale cabin. Read on to learn how Mazda’s new subcompact SUV stands out within this popular vehicle segment.