2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a design that was a blend of modern and traditional elements. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille and vertical taillights, which were somewhat at odds with its compact size and tall profile. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct styling, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. Inside, the XT5's interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added high-end materials like semi-aniline leather and a microfiber sueded headliner. However, the interior lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a more refined and upscale look, aligning with the design ethos of larger Jeep models like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. The Compass offered a variety of trim levels, each with unique styling elements, such as new wheel designs and special edition color options. The Limited trim, in particular, exuded a sense of luxury with its Granite Crystal paint and two-tone interior. Despite its upscale appearance, the Compass was criticized for its high price, which approached the cost of a small luxury SUV.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine, in particular, provided a smooth and linear power delivery, making it suitable for everyday driving. The XT5's performance suspension with adaptive dampers offered a comfortable ride, cushioning bumps while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The quiet cabin further enhanced the luxury experience.

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 was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard Jeep Active Drive all-wheel-drive system. The Compass offered three driving modes: Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud, with the Trailhawk trim adding a Rock mode and a low-range AWD system. While the new engine improved the Compass's performance, it was not as powerful as some might expect. The Compass excelled in off-road conditions, particularly with the Trailhawk's enhanced capabilities, but its on-road performance was hindered by significant body motions and slow AWD engagement.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom and legroom in both rows. However, it trailed in rear headroom and front legroom compared to the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury standards, with narrow bottom cushions and insufficient rear cushioning. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some competitors. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen offered additional storage.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults comfortably in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. Higher trims offered leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated options. The Compass's rear seat provided adequate space, though legroom was snug. Interior storage was limited, with a small center armrest bin and an available wireless charging pad. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with it folded, with an adjustable load floor for added versatility.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An optional Technology Package added a digital instrument cluster and head-up display. While the system was an improvement over previous versions, it lacked the sophistication of competitors' offerings. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were cumbersome, with poorly placed capacitive touchpads and a rotary controller. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM services. The system offered over-the-air updates and could be paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel. Additional features included an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The Limited trim's technology package was comprehensive, with responsive voice recognition and a parking assist system. The Alpine audio system was bass-heavy but suitable for the segment.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with a suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added standard drowsy driver detection and rear-seat reminder systems. It offered a range of advanced driving assistance systems, with available upgrades like adaptive cruise control and Highway Assist. The Compass's Highway Assist provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, though it had limitations in certain conditions. NHTSA ratings were unavailable at the time of review, and the Compass was ineligible for the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to updated requirements.