2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, both externally and internally. The Passport’s dashboard layout was visually identical to that of the Pilot, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. Trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass received exterior styling updates and new wheel designs but retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign. The High Altitude trim, in particular, featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a sophisticated cabin with luxury-grade leather seats and added sound deadening. The new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and infotainment systems significantly elevated the Compass’s interior quality. The lineup included trims from Sport to High Altitude, with prices ranging from $26,020 to $35,085, excluding destination charges.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the ride quality balanced comfort with refined handling. The Passport featured 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud modes. Towing capacity was up to 3,500 pounds for FWD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. This “Tigershark” engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models and a six-speed automatic for FWD models. The engine was often noisy and lacked the power needed for smooth acceleration. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the AWD system could send all power to the rear wheels when necessary. The Compass had 8.1 inches of ground clearance, with the Trailhawk trim offering enhanced off-road capabilities. Fuel efficiency was rated at 25 mpg combined, but real-world testing averaged 23.8 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim and above included a power liftgate, with hands-free operation on Touring and Elite trims. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the interior featured ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a spacious center console.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, while spacious enough for four adults and their luggage, offered less cargo space compared to the Passport. It provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The interior upgrades for 2022 included a redesigned dashboard, new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, and improved storage in the center console. A hands-free power liftgate was also available.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard across all trims, integrated with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 10.1-inch display. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and over-the-air updates. Additional options included a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was generally accurate but had some limitations in specific scenarios.

The 2021 Honda Passport was well-equipped with advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with some "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2022 Jeep Compass also improved its safety features, offering 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 as standard. Additional features included Highway Assist, parallel and perpendicular parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the Compass had some issues with false positives from the forward-collision warning system. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review, but the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.