Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Jeep Compass

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee brought a familiar yet rejuvenated look. Jeep consistently stuck to its design traditions, and this model was no exception. It featured the renowned seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. With influence from the original 1963 Wagoneer, it carried a forward-leaning grille, distinctive headlights, a level beltline, and a tapered rear roof, all of which paid homage to its heritage. Notably, Jeep offered a black roof option on some trims, and a wider range of paint colors was promised to follow.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee remained mostly unchanged from the ‘21 Grand Cherokee L. The interior ranged from modest with the base Laredo trim, featuring cloth seats, to highly luxurious in the Summit Reserve trim, where front-seat heating, ventilation, massage functions, high-end audio, and a panoramic sunroof were standard. The gloss-black finish on controls in higher trims did have some reflection issues, but otherwise, the interior was anything but ordinary. Even in the base model, the level of comfort and apparent quality far exceeded expectations.

The 2023 Jeep Compass exhibited a refined and upscale evolution. It moved away from the rugged Jeep aesthetic of the past, embracing a polished and sophisticated design. Round headlights and square taillights were replaced with more mature styling cues. This year, Sport and Latitude models featured new 17-inch wheels, and the Trailhawk models had gloss-black painted wheels. The Compass Red versions could be painted in black or silver, aside from the signature red.

The Compass was offered in five core trim levels—Sport, Latitude, Latitude Lux, Limited, and Trailhawk—with a handful of special edition models. The interior of the Compass mirrored the Grand Cherokee with digital displays and stylish trims. Our test Limited model had a two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents and did not look or feel cheap. Though tastefully done, its higher price might make one question Jeep’s ambitions, especially when the as-tested price reached levels nearing the luxury SUV market.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee offered significant versatility in its power options with a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and the choice between a V6 or V8 engine, plus a plug-in hybrid (the 4xe) later in the year. Most versions had the 3.6-liter V6 engine with 293 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, supporting a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The 5.7-liter V8, producing 357 hp at 5,150 rpm and 390 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm, increased the tow rating to 7,200 pounds.

The Grand Cherokee also offered three types of 4WD systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II. The Trailhawk variant became an off-roading champion with Quadra-Drive II, air suspension for up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance, and water-fording capacity of 24 inches. It also featured Selec-Speed control and a forward-facing off-road camera. The SUV was solidly competent on and off-road, with excellent ride quality and handling, especially on the lighter, nimbler two-row version.

The 2023 Compass finally addressed past powertrain shortcomings with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This turbo-four was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. All models featured Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, while the Trailhawk added a Rock mode and specialized off-roading equipment such as skid plates, aggressive tires, hill descent control, and a higher ground clearance of 8.6 inches.

Although more spirited than its predecessor, the turbocharged engine’s tuning prioritized fuel economy over peak power, achieving an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined. Despite better power delivery, the AWD system allowed too much front wheelspin before engaging, and the Compass faced some difficulties on mud and loose terrain. However, its on-road performance was vastly improved, making it well-suited for daily driving in various conditions.

In terms of comfort, the 2022 Grand Cherokee accommodated its front passengers quite well, particularly in higher trims with massaging, heated, and ventilated seats. The SUV improved visibility notably, enhancing driver confidence in different situations. In the rear, the Grand Cherokee lacked a bit for legroom, making the longer Grand Cherokee L a better option for taller passengers due to its extra 1.2 inches of legroom.

Cargo space in the two-row model was competitive, with 37.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 70.8 cubic feet when folded down. Conversely, the Grand Cherokee L offered more room due to its more upright design, with 46.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84.6 cubic feet with seats folded.

The Jeep Compass stayed true to its compact nature, translating to easier maneuverability. Despite its smaller stature, it comfortably seated four adults. It included standard air filtration and dual-zone climate control, with higher trims offering leather seats, heated or ventilated seating, and advanced adjustments for added comfort.

Our Limited test model exceeded expectations for a small SUV, although it had some hard plastic components that could be uncomfortable. The rear seat provided adequate room for adults, though tighter than the Grand Cherokee. Cargo-wise, the Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet behind the second row and expanded to 59.8 cubic feet when folded down, with an adjustable load floor and occasional folding of the front passenger seat for more versatility.

Packed with technological advancements, the 2022 Grand Cherokee featured multiple touchscreens, a sophisticated head-up display, and a Night Vision system. Jeep's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was standard, with touchscreen options ranging from 8.4 to 10.1 inches, depending on the trim. Noteworthy was the introduction of a passenger touchscreen display, allowing the front passenger to assist with navigation or entertainment.

Other high-tech features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and possibly the show-stealer, a McIntosh 19-speaker audio system. Overall, the Uconnect 5 provided an intuitive and responsive interface, making in-car connectivity seamless and enjoyable.

The 2023 Compass didn't lag in tech upgrades, integrating a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 as standard. This system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth pairing for dual devices. For a premium experience, optional features included a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, embedded navigation, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, and Alexa for hands-free commands.

The tech suite in the Limited trim was highly responsive, impressing with its voice recognition capabilities particularly. OTA updates ensured the system stayed current. A parking assist system and a surround-view camera complemented the high-tech fit-out, though the Compass' size often rendered the parking assist unnecessary.

Safety in the 2022 Grand Cherokee was fortified with numerous advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a robust structure composed mainly of aluminum and high-strength steel. Key features included Intersection Collision Assist, Active Driving Assist with Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, and an upcoming hands-free version for approved roads. This robust package aimed to deliver superior crash protection and driving support, an improvement eagerly anticipated over previous models.

In 2023, the Compass added crucial safety features like a drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder. The Jeep included a comprehensive suite of ADAS as standard: forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims came with Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering on limited-access highways. While the NHTSA hadn’t yet published its crash ratings, prior performance indicated solid, but not standout, safety credentials.