2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new seven-passenger model, distinct from the existing five-passenger Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion of its model year designation, the Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, resembling a smaller version of the luxurious Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The SUV's design was unmistakably Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. Available in various trims, from Laredo to Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee L's pricing ranged from $36,995 to $64,235, plus a $1,695 destination charge. The Summit trim test vehicle, equipped with numerous high-end features, had a window sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't quite match the high price tag, the overall interior quality and technology represented a significant improvement over the old model.

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, and infotainment systems. Soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening enhanced its premium feel. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, included features like all-wheel drive, the Elite Interior Group, and the Driver Assist Group 1 option packages, bringing the MSRP to $40,470, including destination. The Compass lineup started with the base Sport trim and included several other trims, with prices ranging from $26,020 to $35,085, plus a $1,595 destination charge.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or three different four-wheel-drive systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with certain trims and 4WD, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg on the testing loop. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension and various off-road modes, including Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Summit's Quadra-Drive II 4WD system included an electronic locking differential and a low-range transfer case setting. The Quadra-Lift suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The Grand Cherokee L's stiffer structure contributed to a smooth ride and capable handling, with variable-ratio steering and large 20-inch wheels. The SUV was easy to park, thanks to its surround-view camera system and relatively tight turning circle. It also performed well on the highway, with secure on-center steering feel and a relatively quiet cabin, except during acceleration or when running the air conditioning on a hot day.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked accelerative power, and a turbocharger would have significantly improved performance, especially at higher altitudes. The engine was noisy when revved hard, which was often due to the high power peak. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with all-wheel drive, was preferable to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but it 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 when accelerating from a stop. The Compass averaged 23.8 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 25 mpg. The Jeep Selec-Terrain system offered Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, while the Jeep Active Drive AWD system could send all engine power to the rear wheels when necessary. The Compass High Altitude had 8.1 inches of ground clearance, suitable for light off-roading and snowstorms. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a different AWD system, skid plates, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The Compass High Altitude's 19-inch wheels improved grip on pavement, and its tidy dimensions made it nimble and maneuverable. However, the short-wheelbase SUV could feel bouncy on uneven pavement, and speed humps posed a challenge for the suspension. The Compass was quieter than before, with satisfactory steering and braking, but overall driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with Summit trim, featuring heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system with air vents in all three rows. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience. The third-row seats were comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, but second-row passengers had a storage console. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 17.2 cubic feet, with a useful storage bin underneath the load floor. Folding the third-row seat down increased cargo capacity to 46.9 cubic feet, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 84.6 cubic feet.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among Jeep's similarly sized SUVs, 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. Occupants enjoyed a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned, soft-touch dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen. The new center console provided twice the storage of the previous model, though the bin beneath the armrest remained small. The available hands-free power liftgate provided access to the cargo area, which offered 27.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. These cargo numbers exceeded those of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, claimed to be five times faster with an improved user experience. Available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system worked well, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system delivered excellent sound quality, especially for bass enthusiasts. Additional features included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Jeep Compass also featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, claimed to be five times faster than the previous generation. Standard with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and available with a 10.1-inch upgrade, the system 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 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 sometimes provided irrelevant results. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn't as user-friendly as the best technology in the industry.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. While the system worked well, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes were overly responsive. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats from either side at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a complete package of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of the review, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with every version now 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, 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 mostly worked as advertised, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds, and the engine struggled with adaptive cruise control. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of the review, but the previous three-star rollover resistance rating was carried over, and headlight performance needed improvement.