2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle updates from 2018, such as the refreshed headlights and grille. The introduction of the Nightshade Special Edition added a touch of modernity, but the overall design still reflected its 2007 origins. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin was spacious but felt dated, with a multi-tiered center dash reminiscent of mid-2000s designs. The standard 7-inch touchscreen appeared small against the expansive dashboard, yet the vehicle offered ample headroom and legroom, particularly in the second row, with comfortable and supportive seating throughout.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass presented a more contemporary and upscale appearance, especially in the High Altitude trim. While its exterior retained a familiar look since the 2017 redesign, the interior saw significant improvements. The new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats elevated the Compass's premium feel. The High Altitude model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a sophisticated cabin with soft-touch surfaces and advanced infotainment systems, making it a more convincing premium SUV option.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration despite the SUV's hefty weight of up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were akin to a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes, offering a confident driving experience. However, its towing capacity of 7,400 pounds lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, produced 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its nine-speed automatic transmission, the Compass's powertrain was underwhelming, often feeling sluggish and noisy. The transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, resulting in a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The Compass's off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Jeep Active Drive AWD system and Selec-Terrain modes, but its overall performance was hindered by the lack of a turbocharger and a less responsive drivetrain.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, providing convenient access to the cargo area. Despite its generous interior space, the Sequoia's front-row layout felt outdated compared to newer SUVs, though it offered ample storage options with deep door pockets and a large center console.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, while smaller, provided sufficient space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a redesigned dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior upgrades for 2022 significantly improved the Compass's perceived quality and sophistication.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Despite its dated technology, the system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The Sequoia's digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a straightforward interface.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch standard touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch upgrade available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with a range of customization options. While the voice recognition system was generally accurate, it occasionally struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 was a significant improvement, though not as intuitive as some competitors' systems.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the Sequoia's older platform resulted in a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, with no further crash test ratings available.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance as standard. Additional features like Highway Assist and a 360-degree camera system were available. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally performed well, the Compass experienced some false positives with the forward-collision warning. As of the review, the Compass had not received updated safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA.