2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving some exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its familiar look since its last redesign in 2017. It was often likened to a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee. The test vehicle featured attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance for a compact Jeep. Inside, the Compass made a stronger case for itself 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 2023 Lincoln Navigator, which had not seen significant updates since its last redesign in 2018, continued to be a flagship model in Lincoln's lineup. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. The Navigator's interior was predominantly black, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents adding a touch of elegance. At night, ambient lighting from the 201A package provided contrast and character. While the cabin looked upscale and used quality materials, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury feel. The Navigator's exterior and interior design remained largely unchanged, maintaining its status as a full-size luxury SUV.

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 a welcome addition for better 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 drivetrain engagement. The Compass's drivetrain was its least appealing feature, though it offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes. The Compass Trailhawk Elite, with its 20.6 cm ground clearance, was capable of light off-roading, but its driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 13.2 L/100 km in combined driving, but it averaged 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The SUV offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Hill Climb available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension, with Road Preview, was standard but failed to deliver a smooth ride, especially with the 22-inch wheels. In Excite mode, the Navigator's ride improved, but fuel efficiency suffered. The SUV felt smaller on mountain roads, but its size was a liability in urban settings, making parking and maneuvering challenging.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite model featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The cabin was enhanced with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a redesigned dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, and improved storage in the centre console. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering roomy seats in all three rows and an extended body style for increased cargo capacity. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, accommodating taller adults comfortably. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 971 litres behind the third-row seat, 2,075 litres behind the second row, and 3,403 litres behind the front seats.

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 upper trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless device charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with some specific requests.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, while not boasting about its screens, offered a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed excellently, understanding and responding to commands accurately. The test vehicle featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing lush sound throughout the cabin. The Lincoln Play system, with dual touchscreens for rear-seat passengers, was available but not utilized by the test teenagers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features for 2022, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert included from the Trailhawk grade. Highway Assist was expected to be added later, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance for highway driving. The Compass's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked as advertised, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. The NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and Jeep needed to improve headlight performance based on the 2021 Compass' IIHS scores.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. It also featured Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system for designated Hands-Free Blue Zones. BlueCruise struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones, requiring driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.