2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal, traditionally not known for its style. It presented a more SUV-like appearance with a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays, giving it a modern and assertive stance. The sliding side doors were re-engineered for a sculpted look, enhancing the vehicle's overall design. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches added to its visual appeal, while the rear maintained a wide and low look. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a comfortable seating position and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The interior was designed for utility and comfort, with a smartly designed center console and ample space for passengers in the second and third rows.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass retained much of its previous design, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that matched its upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass made significant strides in sophistication, especially in the High Altitude trim. It boasted a new dashboard design, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, elevating its premium SUV status. The Compass lineup offered various trims, with the High Altitude being the most expensive, featuring standard all-wheel drive and numerous upgrades. Despite its compact size, the Compass provided a convincing premium feel with its interior enhancements.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first foray into hybrid minivans, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Sienna utilized an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, slightly dulled throttle response. The Sienna's handling improved with new suspension systems, providing a comfortable ride with minimal body roll. Its standout feature was its impressive fuel economy, achieving 36 mpg in both city and highway driving for FWD models and slightly less for AWD models.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" moniker, the engine lacked the punch of a turbocharger, resulting in a less thrilling driving experience. The Compass featured a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models, while FWD models had a six-speed automatic. The transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, often leading to a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with various driving modes and an Active Drive AWD system for improved off-road capability. However, its fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 23.8 mpg in testing.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience and functionality, crucial for minivans. It featured a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that easily folded into the floor, while the second row slid up to 25 inches for easy access. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies, catering to passengers' needs. The Sienna's cargo capacity was impressive, accommodating a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. It offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 101.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. The hybrid battery was cleverly positioned under the front seats, preserving cargo space.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, while compact, provided enough space for four adults and their luggage. 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, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Despite its compact size, the Compass managed to offer a convincing premium experience with its interior upgrades.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology features, including a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. It offered various connectivity options, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect trials. Higher trims featured a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system. The driver enjoyed tech features like a color multi-information display and an optional digital rearview mirror. The Sienna's tech offerings catered to both entertainment and convenience.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, significantly faster and more responsive than its predecessor. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen as 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 Compass offered a navigation system, WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, although it had some limitations in specific scenarios. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed with its capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and pre-collision systems. It also featured the Star Safety System and 10 airbags for enhanced safety. The Sienna had LATCH connectors for child seats and a rear-seat reminder system. While crash-test ratings for 2021 were not available, the 2020 Sienna received favorable ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance as standard. It also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Compass planned to introduce Highway Assist later in the model year, enhancing its adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems. While some systems worked well, there were occasional false positives and issues with adaptive cruise control. Safety ratings for the updated Compass were not yet available, but previous models had room for improvement.