2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design featuring a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, adorned with laser-etched knurling, and the wheel center caps were protected by acrylic glass. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension, and the use of aluminum and composite materials helped reduce weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, 24-way power front seats, and Nappa leather upholstery, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar look since its 2017 redesign, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, enhancing its upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass impressed with a new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, offered a premium feel with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The redesigned interior, with its soft-touch surfaces and updated infotainment system, elevated the Compass's sophistication, making it a more convincing premium SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, despite its hefty 6,400-pound weight. The vehicle came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, also standard, allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance. While the Grand Wagoneer excelled in off-road capabilities, its size and weight made it less agile on the road, with a bouncy ride at higher speeds and imprecise steering.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. This "Tigershark" engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, struggled to provide the desired acceleration, especially at higher altitudes. The Compass offered Jeep's Selec-Terrain system with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Active Drive AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. Despite its 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass's performance was hindered by a busy powertrain and a slow automatic stop/start system. The drivetrain's character was less appealing, and the vehicle's dynamics needed improvement, although it remained nimble and maneuverable in various driving situations.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system, enhancing convenience and visibility.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among compact SUVs, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The interior upgrades for 2022 included a redesigned dashboard, premium leather upholstery, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. These figures exceeded those of the more expensive Cherokee model. The new center console offered increased storage, and an available hands-free power liftgate added convenience to the cargo area.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot supported up to eight devices. Second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with its Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, although the screen response was occasionally slow. The Grand Wagoneer also included Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, enhancing entertainment options for passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster than its predecessor. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch upgrade available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with satellite radio and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates ensured the system remained current. The Compass offered a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was efficient, although it occasionally struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed with its speed and functionality, though it wasn't the easiest to use compared to industry leaders.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a range of standard safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. A hands-free version was planned for future release, with driver monitoring to prevent misuse. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Jeep Compass saw improvements in safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance systems standard across all trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was set to be added later in the model year. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera system were available. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally performed well, the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet published, but the Compass retained a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.