2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, while updated with new exterior styling and wheel designs, retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign. The High Altitude test vehicle featured appealing 19-inch multi-spoke wheels painted in a dark sparkly finish, matching the upscale appearance of the small Jeep. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation and infotainment systems, soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening, significantly enhancing its premium SUV feel. The High Altitude was the most expensive version, with prices ranging from $26,020 to $35,085, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. The test vehicle, equipped with standard all-wheel drive and several option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470, including destination.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels, producing 280 horsepower. The transmission offered Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, and an observed average of 21.8 mpg during testing. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering, a firm but comfortable ride, and expertly managed body motions. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during intense use, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for all-wheel-drive models, lacked the power and refinement of a turbocharged engine. The transmission was reluctant to downshift and quick to upshift, resulting in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage the engine, leading to hard engagement and slow acceleration from a rolling start. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Jeep Active Drive AWD system. The EPA rated the Compass High Altitude at 25 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 23.8 mpg. The Compass had 8.1 inches of ground clearance, suitable for light off-roading and snowstorms, with the Trailhawk trim offering enhanced off-road capabilities. The Compass felt nimble and maneuverable but exhibited bouncy and excessive lateral motion on uneven pavement, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and bumps.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, was comfortable with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned between the 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 redesigned dashboard, new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, and reworked primary controls enhanced the perceived quality and sophistication. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added a navigation system, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system, available on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous generation. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available as an upgrade. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, 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 voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not as user-friendly as the best technology in the industry.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing on all trims. Honda Sensing added low-speed follow capability to the adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. However, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning required upgrading to EX trim. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance, and was expected to maintain its IIHS Top Safety Pick recommendation.

The 2022 Jeep Compass also enhanced its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims. Highway Assist, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was to be added later in the model year. The Compass also offered a parallel and perpendicular parking assistance system and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. 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.