2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, featuring laser-etched knurling in the grille slots. It offered 20-inch wheels as standard, with 22-inch wheels available on higher trims. The interior mirrored the Wagoneer with a well-integrated infotainment touchscreen, large rotary shift knob, and a two-spoke steering wheel, but elevated the experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional higher-grade Palermo leather.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar look since its 2017 redesign, resembling a shrunken Grand Cherokee. The exterior updates included new wheel designs, with our test vehicle featuring 19-inch multi-spoke wheels in a dark sparkly finish. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The Trailhawk Elite, the most expensive version, offered a premium feel with features like a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a redesigned centre console with increased storage. The Compass provided a sophisticated cabin experience, enhanced by a new Uconnect 5 infotainment system and improved sound deadening.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre 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 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, it boasted impressive off-road capabilities, although its size limited its trail performance. The ride was smooth at lower speeds, but the vehicle felt ungainly at higher speeds due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. The engine, known as the “Tigershark,” was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for 4WD models, while FWD models received a six-speed automatic. The Compass's powertrain was criticized for its lack of acceleration and noisy operation at high revs. The transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, resulting in a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with three driving modes and an Active Drive AWD system. It achieved an average fuel consumption of 9.9 L/100 km during testing. The Compass Trailhawk, with its enhanced off-road capabilities, provided a nimble and maneuverable ride, although it struggled with uneven pavement and speed bumps.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer provided 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among compact SUVs, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Compass Trailhawk Elite featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard housed the new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, and the centre console provided increased storage. The Compass offered 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded down, surpassing the cargo capacity of the more expensive Jeep Cherokee. An available hands-free power liftgate facilitated access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and offered a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, provided over-the-air software updates. While the system was generally functional, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. Additional features included a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, although it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed with its speed and functionality, despite some usability challenges.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features for 2022, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring included from the Trailhawk grade. The Compass was set to receive Highway Assist later in the model year, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance for highway driving. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera system were also available. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally performed well, although the forward-collision warning system occasionally produced false positives. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available, but the NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating.