2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Toyota Venza

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 stood out as a premium SUV with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its sophistication. The lineup offered various trims, starting from the base Sport to the top-tier Trailhawk Elite, with prices ranging from $29,495 to $42,795, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza presented a sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a Lexus than a typical midsize crossover SUV. Its contoured body and tapering rear roofline gave it a unique and elegant appearance, avoiding the awkward bulges seen in other Toyota SUVs. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated the cabin with higher-quality materials and details, approaching Lexus's level of luxury. The Venza was praised for its cohesive and attractive styling, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" moniker, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs, and a turbocharger would have improved its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with the 4WD system, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass Trailhawk Elite, with its off-road capabilities, offered a 20.6 cm ground clearance and various driving modes, making it suitable for light off-roading. However, the drivetrain was the least appealing aspect of the Compass, with slow engine re-engagement and a lack of acceleration.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. The electric motors provided immediate acceleration, with the gasoline engine seamlessly blending in for additional power. The Venza reached 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The ride quality prioritized comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling for easy transportation. The Venza's ride was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, offering enough compliance to handle most road imperfections.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered spacious seating for four adults and their luggage, with a redesigned interior that enhanced its premium feel. The front seats provided 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, while the rear seats were also heated. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof and soft-touch dashboard added to the sense of sophistication. The Compass boasted a cargo capacity of 770 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,693 litres with the seats folded down, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Toyota Venza provided ample space for taller drivers and passengers, with large windows and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. The rear seats offered generous legroom and foot room, though headroom was slightly limited. The Venza's cargo capacity was 816 litres, less than some competitors, and it was not rated for towing. However, it excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep centre armrest bin.

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 over-the-air updates. Additional features included a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in filtering search results.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and Limited trims featured a larger 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system offered sharp graphics and quick responses. The Venza XLE and Limited trims included a one-year trial of Drive Connect services, which used Google map data for navigation. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance starting from the Trailhawk grade. Highway Assist was expected to be added later, pairing adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with smooth acceleration. The NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.

The 2023 Toyota Venza received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The XLE trim added parking sensors and reverse emergency braking, while the Limited trim featured a surround-view camera and head-up display. The safety features functioned smoothly, with no false alarms reported.