2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan stigma, offered practical advantages over three-row midsize crossover SUVs. It lacked the rugged appeal of an SUV but compensated with sliding side doors, making it easier to load children in tight spaces. The Pacifica Hybrid was not visually striking, even with the S Appearance Package, and its price started at $49,095 for the base Touring L trim, reaching $57,680 for a fully loaded Limited trim with options. The interior, featuring black Nappa premium leather, felt high-quality but appeared dated compared to more modern designs.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a refined, upscale look, moving away from Jeep's traditional rugged design. The Compass featured new 17-inch wheels for Sport and Latitude models, and gloss black wheels for the Trailhawk. The lineup included various trims, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, with prices ranging from just under $32,000 to over $40,000. Our Limited test vehicle, priced at $45,800, boasted a sophisticated interior with two-tone black and gray cabin accents, metallic trim, and low-gloss plastics, though the high price made it less competitive in the small SUV segment.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in efficiently transporting up to seven people. Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for short commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery, contributing to an impressive average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg during testing. However, the driving experience was unremarkable, with light steering, grabby brakes, and limited cornering grip.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally received a satisfying powertrain with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, the Compass offered improved performance. The Trailhawk trim featured additional off-road capabilities, including a low range and a 20:1 crawl ratio. Despite the engine's prioritization of fuel economy, the Compass achieved an EPA rating of 27 mpg in combined driving, though our testing averaged 23.8 mpg. The new powertrain transformed the Compass from gutless to gutsy, but it still exhibited significant body motions on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three comfortable rows of seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and numerous storage options. The second-row seats were more comfortable than the standard Pacifica's Stow n' Go seats, though they did not collapse into the floor. The third-row seat provided reasonable comfort, and the Pacifica Hybrid offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 140.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

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

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system allowed for five user profiles and included a FamCam overhead camera system. However, voice recognition was hit-and-miss. The 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system required adjustments for optimal sound quality. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV was available but not essential if passengers had their own devices. The Pacifica also offered a surround-view camera system and parking assist.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-in. The system received over-the-air updates and paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel in higher trims. The Limited test vehicle included an Alpine premium sound system, which was bass-heavy by default. The Compass also offered a parking assist system and a useful surround-view camera.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The adaptive cruise control needed refinement, as it was slow to resume speed and overly cautious in moderate traffic.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. The Compass had not yet received crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, and the IIHS had incomplete results, making it ineligible for a Top Safety Pick rating until further testing.