2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. This version was celebrated for its classic design elements, such as bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket, which complemented its Midnight Black exterior. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was less striking with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery. The exterior design, with its oversized headlights and chrome accents, lacked the character and charm of its predecessors. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's familiar switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a plush yet somewhat dated interior experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass received a more modern update, particularly in the High Altitude trim. While its exterior design remained largely unchanged since 2017, the new wheel designs and dark sparkly finish added a touch of sophistication. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with its premium features, including a redesigned dashboard, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound insulation. The interior upgrades significantly elevated the Compass's appeal, making it a more convincing premium SUV option.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. Despite its power, the engine's roar was subdued, contributing to a quiet cabin experience. However, this came at the cost of fuel efficiency, with an average of 14.7 mpg during testing, slightly better than the EPA's 14 mpg rating. The Land Cruiser's eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, featuring a Torsen limited-slip differential, provided impressive off-road capabilities. With features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, the Land Cruiser excelled in challenging terrains. On the road, it offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected maneuverability and handling.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 177 horsepower, lacked the power of the Land Cruiser. The "Tigershark" engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, struggled with acceleration and was often noisy. The Compass's drivetrain aimed for fuel efficiency, achieving 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. The Jeep Active Drive AWD system and Selec-Terrain modes provided some off-road capability, but the Compass was better suited for light excursions. The High Altitude trim's 19-inch wheels improved grip, but the suspension struggled with uneven surfaces, revealing its dated design.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while luxurious, was somewhat outdated. The cabin featured premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row seats offered ample space and comfort, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seats, though accommodating, lacked leg support for long journeys. Cargo space was limited to 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with seats folded. The split clamshell tailgate provided convenient access and seating for outdoor activities.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a more modern and spacious interior, accommodating four adults comfortably. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system enhanced the cabin's sophistication. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model. The available hands-free power liftgate added convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology felt dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system lacking modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system relied on Toyota Entune technology, offering basic functionality with large buttons and knobs for easy control. The rear-seat entertainment system, though equipped with 11.6-inch displays, lacked streaming capabilities and felt outdated. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality but fell short of high-end competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass featured the advanced Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and customization options. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with over-the-air updates to keep it current. The Compass also offered a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed with its modern features and ease of use.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked more advanced features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The absence of crash-test ratings left its safety performance uncertain.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance as standard. The Compass also planned to introduce Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering for highway driving. While the system worked well, it occasionally exhibited false positives and abrupt braking. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were pending, but the Compass needed improvements in headlight performance.