2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring, standing out among midsize SUVs with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille made a statement, while the character line along the side and Lexus-like taillights added to its unique look. The Highlander XSE trim, with its aggressive front end and 20-inch wheels, aimed to blend sportiness with practicality, though it leaned more towards luxury, especially in the Limited trim with its upscale chrome accents and near-flawless interior fit and finish.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar look since its 2017 redesign, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim featured appealing 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a sophisticated cabin with a new dashboard design, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening. The Compass High Altitude, the most expensive version, offered a premium feel with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, enhancing its upscale appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not a drag racer, the Highlander provided smooth and predictable performance, comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained more focused on comfort and reliability.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with all-wheel drive, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. While the Compass offered decent off-road capability with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance, its overall driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, a wireless charging pad, and ample legroom for second-row passengers. The third row, while accommodating, required some compromise in legroom. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down, providing plenty of room for various needs.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The redesigned dashboard and new Uconnect 5 infotainment system added to the premium feel. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited and standard on the Platinum trim. The system was user-friendly, though navigation struggled with points of interest. Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay ensured connectivity, and the JBL audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, five times faster than its predecessor. 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 fast and accurate, though it had some limitations with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn't the easiest to use.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Jeep Compass included 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. Highway Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance were to be added later. The Compass had some issues with false positives and early braking. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending, but the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.