2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its redesign in 2019, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely due to its continuation of the previous generation's styling. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to adhere to the philosophy of not fixing what wasn't broken, maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Forester Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which significantly enhanced its visual appeal, especially when paired with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense interior featured durable materials, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. The vehicle offered a mix of cloth and leather upholstery options, with an All-Weather Package available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, while receiving exterior updates and new wheel designs, maintained a familiar look reminiscent of a shrunken Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude test model 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 luxury-grade leather seats. The cabin exuded sophistication, thanks to soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening. The Compass lineup ranged from the base Sport trim to the top-tier High Altitude, with prices starting at $26,020. The High Altitude model, equipped with all-wheel drive and various option packages, reached an MSRP of $40,470.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, contributing to stability. However, the power felt merely adequate, lacking the desired thrust for highway merging or overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll in corners. Subaru's standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance aiding in tackling rough terrain.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Dubbed the "Tigershark," this engine lacked the punch of a turbocharger, making it feel sluggish, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission, while better than a CVT, was geared towards fuel efficiency, often resulting in a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with various driving modes and an Active Drive AWD system, providing decent off-road capability. However, its 8.1 inches of ground clearance limited its ruggedness compared to more off-road-focused models.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided ample headroom and legroom for five passengers, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also contributed to excellent outward visibility. The Forester offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some competitors. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench. The interior featured practical storage solutions, though the phone-storage cubby was small, and wireless charging was unavailable. The Forester's controls were user-friendly, but the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, accommodated four adults comfortably. The High Altitude trim elevated its premium feel with features like eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system added sophistication. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with them folded, slightly exceeding the more expensive Cherokee model. The center console provided increased storage, though the bin beneath the armrest remained small.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and navigation. The system was user-friendly, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2022 Jeep Compass boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster than its predecessor. It featured 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 voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn't the easiest to use.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, a suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Subaru's unique DriverFocus system monitored driver attention. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance as standard. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was set to be added later. The Compass experienced some false positives with its forward-collision warning system. As of the review, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending, though the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.