Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 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 similar appearance to the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, characterized by a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling in the slots. The vehicle featured a new body-on-frame architecture, allowing for independent suspension and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it shared styling features with the Wagoneer but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional Palermo leather.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a more refined and upscale design ethos, moving away from the rugged Jeep look. It featured new 17-inch wheel designs for the Sport and North models, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Compass was available in seven trim levels in Canada, with the Trailhawk trims being ideal for off-road adventures. The test vehicle, a Limited trim, showcased a sophisticated interior with a two-tone black and gray cabin, caramel accents, and digital displays. Despite its upscale appearance, the Compass's price was considered high for a small SUV, with the test vehicle's MSRP reaching $54,775, making it comparable to a well-equipped small luxury SUV.

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, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. The vehicle came standard with a Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. The cabin was quiet, and the air suspension provided a smooth ride, but the vehicle felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, transformed the Compass's performance. The Trailhawk version featured a more advanced AWD system with a low range and a 20:1 crawl ratio, making it "Trail Rated" for off-road use. The Compass's fuel economy improved to 8.8 L/100 km in combined driving, although the engine wasn't as powerful as in the larger Cherokee. The Compass handled well on pavement, with the Limited trim providing good grip, but its tall and narrow design led to noticeable body motions on uneven surfaces. The Trailhawk excelled off-road, although it struggled with standard tires in challenging conditions.

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 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 vehicle featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults comfortably in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone automatic climate control. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather seats available on higher trims. The Limited test vehicle offered a premium interior with leather-wrapped steering wheel and power-adjustable seats. The rear seat provided adequate space for adults, and the Compass offered 770 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded. Some models featured a foot-activated power liftgate and a foldable front passenger seat for carrying long items.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered over-the-air updates, although the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and over-the-air updates. Depending on the trim, it could include a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, embedded navigation, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Limited test vehicle featured Alexa Built-in technology, which was responsive and accurate. The Alpine audio system was bass-heavy, and the vehicle included a parking assist system and a surround-view camera.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included 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 lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for the future.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a standard drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims. The lane-keeping system was sometimes intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control was not smooth. The IIHS had not completed testing for the 2023 Compass, and the NHTSA had not published results.