2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar appearance, reminiscent of a smaller Grand Cherokee, despite receiving some exterior styling updates and new wheel designs. The test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, enhancing its upscale look. Inside, the 2022 Compass, particularly in the Trailhawk Elite specification, offered a more convincing premium SUV experience. It boasted a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and infotainment systems, along with luxury-grade leather seats and added 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 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a more refined and upscale design ethos, aligning with the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families. The 2023 model introduced new 17-inch wheel designs for the Sport and North models, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Canadian lineup included seven trim levels, with prices ranging from just over $35,000 to more than $45,000, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Limited trim, featured Granite Crystal paint, multi-spoke 19-inch wheels, and a two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents, exuding a more luxurious feel. However, the as-tested price of $55,000 raised concerns about its value compared to small luxury SUVs.

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. A turbocharger would have improved performance, especially for those seeking mountain adventures. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with the engine, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted 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 offered impressive off-road capabilities with its Active Drive Low AWD system, 20:1 crawl ratio, and 21.9 cm of ground clearance. However, the driving dynamics needed improvement, with excessive lateral motion on uneven pavement.

In 2023, the Compass received a significant powertrain upgrade with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine's peak torque was available across a broad rev range, enhancing performance. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard Jeep Active Drive AWD system, the 2023 Compass offered improved driving dynamics. 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. The new turbo engine was quieter and more refined, transforming the Compass from gutless to gutsy. However, the AWD system was slow to engage, and the Trailhawk's tires struggled in certain off-road conditions. Overall, the 2023 Compass offered a more enjoyable driving experience compared to its predecessor.

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 featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard, soft-touch surfaces, and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded down, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Compass accommodated adults in both rows, offering decent comfort despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and dual-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims offered leather seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a heated steering wheel. The Limited test vehicle featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a comfortable seating position. The rear seat provided enough space for adults, with generous foot room and supportive seat cushions. The Compass offered 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded down, with some models featuring a foot-activated power liftgate.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous generation. It included an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, with a 10.1-inch option available on upper grades. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system fresh, and additional features included a navigation system, connected services, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, but the infotainment system was not as user-friendly as the best in the industry.

In 2023, the Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology. It supported Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system received over-the-air updates and could be paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel. Additional features included an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The Limited test vehicle had all these features, with Alexa proving fast and accurate. The Alpine audio system was bass-heavy with default settings, and the parking assist system was useful for parallel and perpendicular parking.

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 adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked as advertised, but the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. The NHTSA rollover resistance rating was three stars, and the IIHS needed to improve headlight performance.

For 2023, the Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available from the North grade. The lane-keeping inputs were too obvious, and the adaptive cruise control wasn't smooth. The NHTSA had not published crash-test results, and the IIHS offered incomplete test results. The Compass was ineligible for a Top Safety Pick rating until further testing was complete.