2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

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 that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite specification offered a more convincing premium SUV experience. It boasted a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, infotainment systems, soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, elevating its sophistication. The Trailhawk Elite was the most expensive version, with prices ranging from $29,495 to $42,795, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its second generation into its 14th year without substantial changes, maintaining a mature design. Its exterior showcased a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight lines, giving it a timeless appeal. The Sequoia's dimensions were impressive, with a height of 1,956 mm, width of 2,030 mm, and length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. Inside, the Sequoia's age showed, with a dated dashboard and a 7-inch touchscreen that paled in comparison to modern SUVs. However, its interior was well-constructed, with high-quality materials and a focus on durability, making it suitable for families. The Nightshade Special Edition model, based on the Limited trim, demonstrated Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia relevant.

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" name, the engine lacked acceleration prowess, 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 during acceleration. The Compass Trailhawk Elite, with its 20.6 cm ground clearance, was capable of light off-roading, and the Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities. However, the driving dynamics needed improvement, with a bouncy ride on uneven pavement and challenges with speed bumps.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia featured a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain was known for its durability and reliability. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kg and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kg. Despite its weight of around 2,721.5 kg, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride on the highway, with excellent anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution. Its body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance made it a competent off-roader, especially in the TRD Pro model with Fox shocks. The Sequoia's turning circle and sightlines made it a decent daily driver, though its height required caution in low spaces.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among compact SUVs, offered 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 with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality. The Compass provided 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 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort with spacious seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The centre console and glove compartment offered ample storage, while rear passengers had access to cup holders and power outlets. The Sequoia's cargo compartment accommodated 535 litres of luggage behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,401 litres with both rows down.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.1-inch option available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity 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 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated with its 7-inch touchscreen and clunky operating system. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, the 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen was outclassed by modern digital dashboards. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, Toyota updated the Sequoia with LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring available from the Trailhawk grade. Highway Assist was expected later in the model year, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. However, the lane-keep assist was overly insistent at lower speeds, and the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. The NHTSA rollover resistance rating remained at three stars, and headlight performance needed improvement.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P suite included pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The STAR safety system provided stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. The Sequoia also featured a full complement of airbags, crumple zones, and child safety features, ensuring passenger protection.