2021 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Ford Bronco was a long-awaited revival of a classic, drawing inspiration from its 1966 predecessor. Ford's designers embraced "Retrofuturism," blending the Bronco's iconic design with modern technology and materials. The result was a rugged, adventure-ready SUV with a distinctive single-piece grille, round headlights, and bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering. Available in two-door and four-door configurations, the Bronco offered a range of wheel and tire options, including the off-road-focused Sasquatch package. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with contemporary technology, featuring a color touchscreen and a digitized instrument cluster. The interior was designed for durability, with reinforced grab handles and practical storage solutions.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar design, reminiscent of a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim added upscale touches, such as 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and luxury-grade leather seats. Inside, the Compass received a significant upgrade with a new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and soft-touch surfaces. The High Altitude model featured premium amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. Despite its compact size, the Compass offered a comfortable cabin for four adults and their luggage, with a redesigned center console providing additional storage space.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged engine producing 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's off-road prowess was evident during test drives in challenging conditions, where it handled mud, slick rock, and treacherous trails with ease. The Sasquatch package, with its 35-inch tires, enhanced the Bronco's off-road capabilities, while the 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery on the road.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. While the engine lacked the power of its competitors, the nine-speed automatic transmission offered a more traditional driving experience. The Compass featured Jeep's Selec-Terrain system with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the Active Drive AWD system provided traction when needed. However, the Compass's performance was hindered by a sluggish powertrain and a slow automatic stop/start system. Despite its 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass was best suited for light off-roading.

The 2021 Ford Bronco excelled in modularity, with removable doors and fenders, and easy-to-replace parts for off-road adventures. The interior was thoughtfully designed, with accessible controls for off-road settings and auxiliary equipment. The Bronco's cargo area accommodated door storage, and the trail sights on the hood offered practical tie-down points for roof-mounted cargo.

The 2022 Jeep Compass provided a spacious cabin for four adults, with premium features like power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system enhanced the interior's sophistication. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the center console storage remained limited.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 12-inch display. The G.O.A.T. system offered multiple drive modes for various terrains, while the Sasquatch Package included Bilstein shock absorbers for enhanced off-road capability. The Bronco's technology package included a B&O sound system, navigation, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, boasting faster response times and a customizable interface. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. Voice recognition allowed for cabin temperature adjustments, though navigation requests required refinement. The Compass also offered a WiFi hotspot and over-the-air updates.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's safety features varied by trim level, with higher trims offering Ford Co-Pilot 360, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping systems. The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately during off-road situations. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. While the Compass's safety systems generally performed well, some false positives were noted during testing. NHTSA rollover resistance ratings were carried over from the previous model, and IIHS ratings were pending.