2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving some exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its appearance from its 2017 redesign. 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 look. Inside, the Compass, especially in the Trailhawk Elite specification, offered a more convincing premium SUV experience. It boasted a new dashboard design with updated digital instrumentation, infotainment systems, soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, elevating its sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler maintained its rugged, take-no-prisoners design aesthetic with its fourth-generation JL model. It featured a boxy shape with wide fenders, Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The Wrangler offered versatility with options like the Dual-Door Group for better visibility and a fold-down windshield for open-air exploring. The rear tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The limited-edition "Reign" purple paint added a unique flair to the SUV, while the new "Earl" colour provided a subtle aquamarine highlight. Inside, the Wrangler focused on practicality with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, a body-coloured dash, chunky HVAC controls, and a manual transfer case shifter.

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 been beneficial, especially for those planning 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 Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Jeep Active Drive AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The Compass Trailhawk Elite averaged 9.9 L/100 km in combined driving, slightly above the expected 9.5 L/100 km. With 20.6 cm of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading and snowstorms well, while the Trailhawk trim provided enhanced off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled in off-road performance with solid axles, optional differential lockers, and a variety of engine options. The standard Pentastar V6 engine delivered 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder offered 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Torque enthusiasts could opt for the 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470 horsepower and torque, capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered a 35-kilometre all-electric range. The 392 model, with its Xtreme Recon package, boasted a crawl ratio of 58:1, enhancing its off-road prowess. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less refined, requiring early braking and precise steering input.

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 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard with the Uconnect 5 infotainment screen added to the sense of sophistication. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, with heated options available in specific trims or through a cold-weather package. The rear seat could accommodate three passengers in four-door models, but space was tight, and the small rear doors made access challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and centre console. The Wrangler offered 2,050 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, slightly less than the Bronco. The hard top could be removed in one piece, and the soft top was relatively easy to remove, though the plastic rear window posed challenges in cold weather. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler featured multiple charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 10.1-inch option available on higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system was available for an enhanced audio experience. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests like finding the nearest hospital.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch option available. The system initially appeared complex but was intuitive once familiar. It included off-road pages with detailed information about power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity were standard. The Wrangler offered practical tech features like a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories. However, it lacked advanced features like a digital key, and over-the-air updates were limited to the Uconnect system.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features and driver assistance technologies, though key features required higher trims in Canada. Starting from the Trailhawk grade, it included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway Assist was expected to be added later, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance for highway driving. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera were available. The Compass had some issues with false positives from the forward-collision warning system, and neither the IIHS nor NHTSA had published crash test results for the updated model.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were limited, with only the rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control standard across all models. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top trims or available as part of an option package. Lane-keeping assist was not offered. The IIHS ratings for the Wrangler were mixed, with some trims receiving Poor rankings for headlights. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five for rollover ratings, with no side crash rating available.