2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and elevated appearance, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback models. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it offered a centimetre more than other Outbacks, making it resemble a Jeep more than a traditional station wagon. The vehicle featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. Unique design elements such as a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its bold look. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a purposeful and adventurous atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar design reminiscent of a shrunken Grand Cherokee, despite receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs. The test vehicle's 19-inch multi-spoke wheels added an upscale touch. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite specification impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The cabin exuded sophistication with soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening. The Trailhawk Elite was the most expensive version, offering a premium feel with features like a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned centre console for improved storage.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This powertrain allowed the Wilderness to tow up to 3,500 lbs, making it a capable midsize crossover SUV. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway, with real-world testing averaging 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback's CVT, while offering eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, was less satisfying due to its droning and soft simulated gear changes. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, 23 cm of ground clearance, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities. It excelled in challenging terrains with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a dual-function X-Mode traction system.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm. The engine, dubbed the "Tigershark," lacked the punch of a turbocharger, resulting in a less thrilling driving experience. The Compass featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, with a six-speed automatic for front-wheel-drive models. The transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, leading to a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass Trailhawk Elite offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the Active Drive AWD system provided versatility. With 20.6 cm of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading and snowstorms well, while the Trailhawk trim added more off-road capabilities with a low range and skid plates.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather, which kept moisture at bay but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way manual adjustment for the passenger, with heated seats for added comfort. The rear seat provided generous head and legroom, accommodating two adults or three children comfortably. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and expanded to 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for four adults and their luggage, with the Trailhawk Elite trim enhancing its premium feel. The front seats featured 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, while the rear seats were also heated. The cabin was adorned with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded down. The available hands-free power liftgate added convenience, and the new centre console offered improved storage.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and dominating the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were available for basic functions, most controls required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better voice assistant functionality. Despite targeting a higher-income demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, boasting faster load times and responsiveness. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch option available. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The system offered over-the-air updates, a navigation system, and a WiFi hotspot. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed with its capabilities, though it wasn't the easiest to use.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness prioritized safety with the EyeSight suite of features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The system was powered by cameras mounted near the rearview mirror and was carefully calibrated to maintain effectiveness. The Wilderness also featured steering-responsive LED headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. While crash-test results for the 2022 model were unavailable, the 2021 Outback earned top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance available 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. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera were also available. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally worked well, there were some issues with false positives and abrupt braking. Safety ratings for the 2022 Compass were not yet available, but previous models had room for improvement in headlight performance.