2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that closely resembled its sibling, the Encore, with its trapezoidal "waterfall" grille and high beltline. Despite its similar silhouette, the Encore GX's slightly longer wheelbase and additional length gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetic appeal with body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather seats in the top Essence trim, providing a pleasant driving environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained its familiar design since its 2017 redesign, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a sophisticated interior with luxury-grade leather seats, a new dashboard design, and updated digital instrumentation. The Compass High Altitude's cabin improvements, including added sound deadening and soft-touch surfaces, elevated its premium feel, making it a more convincing upscale SUV.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engine options: a 1.2-liter engine with 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter engine producing 155 horsepower. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter engine was standard on the Essence trim. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Encore GX's 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT provided adequate power, though the ride was noisier than expected for a Buick. Despite its SUV classification, the Encore GX was not designed for off-roading, with its capabilities limited to light gravel and dirt paths.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, delivering 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. While the engine lacked a turbocharger, it was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for all-wheel-drive models and a six-speed automatic for front-wheel-drive versions. The Compass' drivetrain was less appealing, with a busy powertrain character and a slow automatic stop/start system. However, the Jeep Selec-Terrain system offered various driving modes, and the Compass High Altitude's 8.1 inches of ground clearance allowed for light off-roading.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable experience for passengers. The vehicle's design facilitated easy ingress and egress, with controls that were straightforward and visibility that was excellent. Front-seat headroom and legroom were ample, though rear-seat knee room was limited. The Encore GX offered 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. A two-level cargo floor and optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

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 with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system enhanced the interior's sophistication. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a WiFi hotspot. The Advanced Technology package added features like HD surround vision, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control. The Encore GX's infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive 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, with over-the-air updates to keep it current. The Compass also offered a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system and a wireless charging pad. While the voice recognition system was generally accurate, it occasionally struggled with specific requests.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX included standard driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Teen Driver technology allowed owners to monitor driving habits and set limits. The Encore GX earned five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though headlight performance varied by trim.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was set to be added later. The Compass' safety systems occasionally produced false positives, and its forward-collision warning system was overly sensitive. At the time of review, the Compass had not yet received updated safety ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS.