2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti design elements. Its body-on-frame construction, shared with the Armada, was evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. The QX80's front end, however, was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a bold grille and headlight design that gave it an assertive yet refined look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base model and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its luxurious appearance. Inside, the QX80's interior closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and leather upholstery enhancing its luxury feel, though some elements like the foot-operated parking brake felt less premium.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass retained much of its design from the 2017 redesign, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a dark sparkly finish, giving it an upscale look. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The cabin's soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening contributed to a more sophisticated feel. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, offered a range of premium features, including heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available as a $3,100 option. The V8 engine provided ample power for highway overtaking, though the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction, combined with independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models, delivered a comfortable ride, though it felt less composed in corners. The QX80's 4WD system and 8,500-pound towing capacity made it capable off-road and for towing, though its size and wheel-and-tire combinations limited its off-road prowess.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The engine, dubbed "Tigershark," lacked the power of its competitors and was noisy at high revs. The Compass came with a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models and a six-speed automatic for FWD models. The transmission aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but often felt busy and unrewarding. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading well, and the Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities. However, the Compass' driving dynamics needed improvement, with a bouncy ride and excessive lateral motion on uneven pavement.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a three-row seating configuration, with standard second-row captain's chairs and an optional eight-seat configuration. The front seats featured power adjustments and heating and cooling on Sensory models, though the bottom cushions lacked thigh support. Passenger space was competitive, with ample room in all three rows. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded. The center console provided limited storage space, and the front-door cupholders were not well-designed for holding drinks.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, 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 cabin included a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen. The center console offered increased storage space, though 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 rear seat folded, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch and 7.0-inch touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The system included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with an optional 17-speaker system and rear-seat entertainment package. However, the user interface was not intuitive, with small screens and complex controls. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features for driving the large SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the 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. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. The system also offered over-the-air updates, navigation, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in finding specific locations. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not as user-friendly as the best systems in the industry.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with standard 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. The Compass would add Highway Assist later in the model year, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance for highway driving. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera system were also available. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2022 Compass, but it carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.