2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a distinctive design with shiny black 18-inch wheels, a black grille, black side mirror housings, and matte black body cladding. This gave the vehicle a unique, almost floating appearance, as if it were cresting a hill at speed. The CX-30 stood out from its Mazda3 hatchback roots by being perceptually and physically higher off the ground, offering a more SUV-like experience. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Mazda3’s high-quality materials and sophisticated design, with stitched chocolate brown surfaces and a chrome accent around the engine start button. The Premium and Premium Plus trims offered black or white leather upholstery, enhancing the upscale vibe.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar look with minor exterior updates and new wheel designs. The High Altitude test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive version, included a range of premium features such as a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The cabin’s perceived quality and sophistication were significantly improved, making it a more convincing premium SUV.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane. Torque ranged from 310 to 320 pound-feet, ensuring strong acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission, i-Activ AWD system, and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology contributed to a smooth and responsive driving experience. The CX-30 Turbo’s fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, though real-world testing averaged 24.1 mpg. The SUV’s off-road capabilities were enhanced by 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance and an Off-Road mode, making it suitable for light off-roading.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its “Tigershark” moniker, the engine lacked the punch of a turbocharger, resulting in sluggish acceleration. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with AWD, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but often felt busy and unrewarding. The Compass averaged 23.8 mpg in combined driving, slightly below its EPA rating. The Jeep Selec-Terrain system offered various driving modes, and the Compass High Altitude’s 8.1 inches of ground clearance made it capable of light off-roading. However, the drivetrain’s performance was the least appealing aspect of this Jeep.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo provided exceptional comfort for the driver, with eight-way power adjustment and a driver-focused interior layout. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on higher trims, though ventilated seats were not available. The cabin’s organic shapes and high-quality materials created a sense of spaciousness, but the rear seat was cramped for adults. The CX-30 offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the placement of the wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin was inconvenient.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior 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’s perceived quality was significantly improved with a redesigned dashboard, premium leather upholstery, and a new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model. The new center console offered increased storage, though the bin beneath the armrest remained small.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via physical controls and voice commands. While the system required acclimation, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium trims included SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Active Driving Display projected useful data onto the windshield, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Jeep Compass boasted the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch upgrade available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with over-the-air updates. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it had some limitations. The Compass also offered a nine-speaker Alpine sound system and a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a full suite of i-ActiveSense ADAS. Premium trims added adaptive front lighting, parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist. The mobile 9-1-1 system provided automatic emergency notification.

The 2022 Jeep Compass included forward-collision warning, 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, was to be added later. The Compass had some issues with false positives and abrupt braking. Safety ratings for the updated model were not yet available, but previous ratings indicated room for improvement.