2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models in the Nissan lineup like the Armada and Rogue. The front featured a bold, double V-motion design with a mix of chrome and piano black elements, and thinner, longer headlights that extended down the face. The top-tier Kicks SR trim level boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. The rear of the Kicks saw updates with a new bumper, back door finisher, and LED taillight combination, giving it a proportionate look reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. However, the trunk release area appeared less premium, seeming like an afterthought.

New paint options were introduced, including Electric Blue Metallic, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and Boulder Gray Pearl, while the two-tone paint job option continued to enhance the Kicks' upmarket look. The interior saw improvements in material quality, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The Kicks SR featured LED headlights, black heated outside mirrors, and a sportier aesthetic with dark chrome grille accents. Customization options were abundant, with over 100 million color combinations available through Nissan Kicks Color Studio accessories. The interior also featured new seat and door designs, a full center console armrest, and Prima-Tex-appointed seating with three-tone design and stitching in the SR Premium Package.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, while receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign. 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 contributed to a premium feel.

The High Altitude trim, the most expensive version of the Compass, came with standard all-wheel drive and option packages like the Elite Interior Group and Driver Assist Group 1. These upgrades brought the MSRP to $40,470, including destination. The interior featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard housed the new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, and the center console offered increased storage. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, provided a nimble driving experience. The electric power-assisted steering and front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension contributed to its agility. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks had a good power-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for its size. The Kicks SR tester maintained stability on icy roads, though the CVT could get noisy under heavy acceleration.

The Kicks S trim rode on 16-inch steel wheels, while the SV and SR trims featured 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, with an option to upgrade to 17-inch black alloy wheels. Standard features included a traction control system, stability control system, hill start assist, and auto-hold. The Kicks SV and SR trims also had rear disc brakes for improved stopping power. The top-tier Kicks SR included an integrated dynamic-control module with active engine brake, intelligent trace control, and intelligent ride control. The EPA rated the Kicks at 31 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked acceleration power. The nine-speed automatic transmission paired with the engine, while front-wheel drive models had a six-speed automatic. The transmission aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard engagement and slow acceleration from a rolling start.

Jeep Selec-Terrain offered Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Jeep Active Drive AWD system could send all engine power to the rear wheels when needed. The EPA rated the Compass High Altitude at 25 mpg combined, but real-world testing averaged 23.8 mpg. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading and snowstorms well. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a different AWD system, hill descent control, skid plates, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The Compass High Altitude's 19-inch wheels improved grip on pavement, but the suspension struggled with speed humps and uneven pavement.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks featured easy-to-reach buttons and knobs, good small-item storage, and multiple smartphone storage options. Climate controls were user-friendly, and the seat warmers provided quick warmth. The SR trim included a heated steering wheel. The Kicks had a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, four-way adjustable front passenger seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat as standard. The front seats offered best-in-class legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover provided hidden storage.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered similar interior dimensions to the Renegade and Cherokee, making it spacious enough 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 dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard with the new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen enhanced the premium feel. The center console offered increased storage, and the available hands-free power liftgate provided access to the cargo area. The Compass could carry 27.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a host of standard tech features, including a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Kicks SV added Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium Package included the class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers and Bose signal processing. The surround-view monitor provided a 360-degree camera view, and a WiFi hot spot allowed for over-the-air updates and access to NissanConnect services.

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 the pairing of two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, an Amazon Alexa skill, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system fresh, and additional features included 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 like finding the closest hospital.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Kicks had 10 airbags, and the SV and SR trims included a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert. The 2020 Kicks received Good marks in IIHS crashworthiness tests, and the 2020 model received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Highway Assist, which pairs adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was set 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 NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.