2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing interest in crossovers. It featured rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a higher driving position, which gave it an SUV-like presence. The Crosstrek stood out with its black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These enhancements allowed it to mimic an SUV's character while maintaining the Impreza's core design. The interior, though functional, was somewhat plain, with the Sport trim adding some contrasting accents that didn't quite match the exterior. Despite this, the Crosstrek offered a comfortable ride and a good level of refinement.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained its familiar design, reminiscent of a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim, with its 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, added a touch of luxury to its compact form. Inside, the Compass made significant strides in sophistication, especially in the High Altitude version, with a redesigned dashboard, luxury-grade leather seats, and improved sound insulation. The Compass lineup offered a range of trims, from the base Sport to the upscale High Altitude, with prices reflecting the added features and premium feel. The High Altitude model, in particular, boasted a comprehensive set of upgrades, making it a more convincing premium SUV.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline engine options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with a 2.0-liter engine, producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Subaru's signature boxer engine provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling, although the SUV-like stance somewhat negated this benefit. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on lower trims, while a CVT was available across the lineup. All trims came with standard AWD, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved traction on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Crosstrek was more at home on pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" moniker, the engine lacked the punch of a turbocharger, making it feel sluggish, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with AWD, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but often resulted in a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The Compass featured Jeep's Selec-Terrain system, offering various driving modes, and the AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. While the Compass had decent ground clearance for light off-roading, its driving dynamics left room for improvement, with a bouncy ride and excessive lateral motion on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. The Crosstrek included a rear-seat reminder system and a convenient cubby hole for phones, but storage space was minimal. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was excellent due to the large side windows.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system added to the premium feel. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model. The new center console offered improved storage, although the bin beneath the armrest remained small.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons, enhancing safety.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster and more responsive than its predecessor. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch option available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with over-the-air updates. The Compass also offered a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, although it struggled with specific requests.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS for the 2020 model. It featured EyeSight driver-assist technology, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The system's cameras were well-protected but could be affected by weather conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It was set to add Highway Assist later in the model year. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally worked well, there were occasional false positives. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.