2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically known for its softer lines and functional interiors, Buick had shifted its focus to SUVs, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, with its mid-cycle refresh, showcased several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and wheel designs. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials, enhancing the overall comfort and luxury feel, especially in the Avenir trim with its exclusive features and climate-controlled seating.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a refined and upscale design ethos, moving away from the rugged Jeep aesthetic. The Compass featured new wheel designs and special edition models with unique paint options. The interior was designed to accommodate adults comfortably in both rows, with options for leather seating and advanced climate control systems. The Limited trim, in particular, offered a luxurious feel with its sophisticated digital displays and premium materials, although some hard plastic elements detracted from the overall experience. The Compass was praised for its maneuverability and competitive cargo space, making it a practical choice for small SUV buyers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided a smooth and quiet ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package's premium suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's AWD system and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road conditions, although it was primarily designed for on-road comfort and performance. The Enclave's powertrain was responsive, offering good acceleration despite its size and weight, and the QuietTuning technology ensured a serene cabin environment.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, transformed the Compass's driving experience from lackluster to lively. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with its Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system and additional off-road features. While the Compass's engine prioritized fuel economy over power, it provided a significant improvement over previous models. However, the AWD system was sometimes slow to engage, and the Compass's tall and narrow design contributed to noticeable body motions on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The restyled center console and push-button transmission added to the Enclave's modern feel, although the placement of the buttons raised concerns about potential spills.

The 2023 Jeep Compass provided a comfortable interior for four adults, with standard air filtration and available dual-zone climate control. The Limited trim offered leather seating and a range of comfort features, although some hard plastic elements detracted from the luxury feel. The Compass's rear seat provided adequate space for adults, and the cargo area offered 27.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Compass also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and competitive interior storage options.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a WiFi hotspot and the ability to pair multiple devices. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, wireless smartphone integration, and over-the-air updates. The Limited trim included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, an Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The Compass also offered a parking assist system and a surround-view camera, although the small SUV's size made the parking assist feature less necessary.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard across all trims. This package included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The Enclave received high ratings from the IIHS, although it had not been fully tested by the NHTSA at the time of review.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added new safety features, including drowsy driver detection and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard ADAS features included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Compass offered Highway Assist on higher trims, providing semi-autonomous driving capabilities. While the NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2023 Compass, the IIHS had not yet completed testing for the model year.