2021 BMW X7 vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was frequently compared to its competitors, such as the Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, but the X7 distinguished itself with superior interior quality, technological sophistication, and a commanding visual presence. The X7's design, characterized by its massive grille, was a bold statement that suited its large SUV stature, and its interior shared high-quality materials and intuitive technology with the X5, offering a luxurious driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar exterior design, reminiscent of a compact Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim, with its 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, added an upscale touch to the small SUV. Inside, the Compass received significant updates, including a new dashboard design, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, elevating its premium appeal. The Compass High Altitude was the most expensive in the lineup, offering a sophisticated cabin experience with features like a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned infotainment system.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The X7 featured eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which aimed to improve fuel economy and responsiveness. Despite a slight drop in EPA ratings, the X7 offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The Dynamic Handling Package enhanced the driving dynamics, although the SUV's weight and size sometimes affected its agility on tight roads.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. While the engine lacked the power of a turbocharger, it was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with various driving modes and an Active Drive AWD system. However, the powertrain was often criticized for its lack of responsiveness and noisy operation. The Compass High Altitude achieved an average of 23.8 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined rating.

The 2021 BMW X7's interior was a testament to luxury, featuring heated and ventilated front seats, premium Merino leather upholstery, and a five-zone climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs provided exceptional comfort, while the third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults. The X7 offered 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded and a maximum of 90.4 cubic feet with the second row down, though these figures were not class-leading.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious cabin for four adults, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated options, and a heated steering wheel. The High Altitude trim included premium leather upholstery and a redesigned dashboard with a new infotainment system. 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, surpassing the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro. Wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and gesture control were also available, though the latter was sometimes inconsistent. The head-up display was a useful addition, though visibility was limited with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch standard touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch upgrade available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. While the voice recognition system was generally accurate, it occasionally struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 was a notable improvement, though not the best in the industry.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The advanced driving assistance systems were effective, though there were occasional issues with lane-maintenance technology and automated lane-changing. Overall, the X7's safety technology was impressive and reliable.

The 2022 Jeep Compass received enhanced safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The upcoming Highway Assist system promised to improve highway driving, though it was not available during testing. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally performed well, but there were some false positives and abrupt braking incidents. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available for the updated Compass.