2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Jeep Compass

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 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 impressed with its premium SUV feel, thanks to a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The cabin's sophistication was further enhanced by soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening, making it a convincing choice for those seeking a premium experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its redesigned exterior, combining the rugged look of the Toyota Tundra with a newly creased SUV body. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper gave it a distinct presence, while the interior shared an industrial theme with the Tundra. The Capstone trim level featured luxurious leather, wood, and metallic finishes, along with a massive 14-inch infotainment system. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia's lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335, offering options for different preferences and needs.

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 Trailhawk Elite, with its 20.6 cm ground clearance, was capable of light off-roading, while the Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a robust hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine with a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency improved significantly, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. However, the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, and the steering was slow, requiring more effort in tight spaces.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for four adults and their luggage, with 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 1,693 litres with the back seat folded down. 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 materials, and new infotainment system contributed to an elevated sense of sophistication. However, the centre console storage remained limited, and the cargo area, while practical, was smaller than some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres of cargo space behind the third row and a maximum of 2,460 litres with the second-row seats folded down. The adjustable cargo shelf added versatility, but the overall cargo capacity was smaller than its predecessor and competitors.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.1-inch option on higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with certain requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but fell short of the best in the industry.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen on most trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and a guest mode, while the Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands. However, the system had some quirks, such as issues with phone pairing and glare on the display. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the driving experience. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system added safety, though the system occasionally overreacted.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance available from the Trailhawk grade. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. As of the review, crash test results were not available, but the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems made highway driving easier, though the lane-departure warning system was slightly irritating. Crash test results were not available, but the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings.