2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a major redesign in 12 years, making it a familiar sight on the road. Despite updates over the years, a used 4Runner was nearly identical to a new one, minus some modern infotainment and safety technologies. Its design, characterized by a two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches, aged well, offering balanced proportions and timeless styling. The 4Runner's rugged appearance, especially in the Trail Special Edition, was complemented by dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass received exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, yet retained a look reminiscent of a shrunken Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim, with its 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and upscale appearance, stood out. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The cabin's soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening elevated its sophistication, making it a convincing premium SUV.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, excelled off-road. At Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, the 4Runner's A-Trac off-road traction control system proved invaluable, especially on challenging terrain like the Frame Twister. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with a five-speed automatic transmission that didn't help its case. Its fuel efficiency was also a drawback, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, lacked the punch of a turbocharged engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission, while better than a CVT, was busy and unrewarding. The Compass' drivetrain was its weakest point, with a slow automatic stop/start system and disappointing acceleration. However, the Jeep Active Drive AWD system and Selec-Terrain modes provided decent off-road capability. The Compass averaged 23.8 mpg, slightly below its EPA rating.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance posed a challenge for shorter passengers, but once inside, it offered remarkable comfort. The front and rear seats provided proper support, and the back seat had ample legroom and good visibility. The sliding cargo deck, capable of holding 440 pounds, was a notable feature, though it reduced cargo volume. The 4Runner offered up to 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned between the Renegade and Cherokee, was 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 dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen added to the premium feel. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition was light on technology. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation and voice recognition. Despite its old-school appearance, the infotainment system was functional and easy to use, even with gloves.

The 2022 Jeep Compass boasted the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with an available 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system allowed for the pairing of two devices and offered over-the-air updates. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it had some limitations. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not the best in the industry.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner had mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for small overlap frontal-impact protection from the IIHS.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering 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 as standard. Highway Assist, which pairs adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was set to be added later. The Compass had some issues with false positives from the forward-collision warning system. Safety ratings for the updated 2022 Compass were not yet available, but the previous model had a three-star rollover resistance rating.