2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs like the CR-V, Passport, and Pilot, which had more traditional and intimidating SUV looks. The HR-V was distinctive with its converging upper and lower window lines near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trim levels featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport models getting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L included features such as push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L also offering leather upholstery.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite exterior updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening, enhancing its premium feel. The High Altitude trim was the most expensive, with prices ranging from $26,020 to $35,085, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. The test vehicle, equipped with AWD and several option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While AWD was available, FWD was standard. The HR-V’s powertrain was considered underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was ineffective. Competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek offered more powerful engine options. However, the HR-V’s chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda’s reputation for fun cars. The HR-V’s AWD system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rougher terrains, and it lacked towing capability.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its “Tigershark” name, the engine lacked acceleration power. A turbocharger would have improved performance, especially at high altitudes. The engine was noisy when revving hard, and the nine-speed automatic transmission, while better than a CVT, was busy and unrewarding. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, and the drivetrain felt sluggish. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The EPA estimated 25 mpg in combined driving, but testing showed 23.8 mpg. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading and snow well, and the Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities. The Compass felt nimble but exhibited bouncy dynamics on uneven pavement.

The 2021 Honda HR-V offered impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the seat folded down, it provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD) with the seat up. These figures surpassed competitors like the Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Kona, and Subaru Crosstrek. The HR-V excelled in rear-seat legroom but had average front-seat legroom and headroom. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, and a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made finding the perfect driving position easier.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among Jeep’s similarly sized Renegade and Cherokee, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Elite Interior Group option package added premium leather upholstery and light-gray contrast stitching. The cabin included a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a redesigned soft-touch dashboard, and a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen. The center console offered twice the storage of the previous model, but the bin beneath the armrest remained small. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Honda HR-V’s base LX trim included standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and higher levels featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while the EX and EX-L trims added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located in a cubbyhole ahead of the shifter. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard on the base trim.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available as an upgrade. Uconnect 5 supported the pairing of two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, an Amazon Alexa skill, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. The Compass also offered a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless device charging pad. The nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system was available as an upgrade. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in filtering search results and providing directions.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available on the EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with enhanced safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was to be added later in the model year. The Compass also offered a parking assistance system and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. The NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.