2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Jeep Compass received exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, but it retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign. The High Altitude test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance despite its compact size. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its premium SUV feel. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, came with standard all-wheel drive and several option packages, bringing the MSRP to $40,470.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a wide range of models, from the base trim to the luxurious King Ranch, with prices ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding the $1,495 destination charge. The King Ranch test vehicle featured 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, bringing the MSRP to $59,880. Visually, the King Ranch was distinguished by its emblems, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The Explorer's rear-drive platform allowed for a long and tall hood, a rakish roofline, and a tapering greenhouse, giving it an athletic appearance. Inside, the King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating and a mix of quality materials, though some elements hinted at the Explorer's base trim.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. This "Tigershark" engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, lacked the power and refinement of competitors, often feeling slow and noisy. The AWD system offered Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Compass had 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for light off-roading. The EPA estimated 25 mpg in combined driving, but our test averaged 23.8 mpg. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a different AWD system, hill descent control, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. However, the Compass' driving dynamics needed improvement, with a bouncy ride and excessive lateral motion on uneven pavement.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided up to 24 mpg in combined driving and a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds. The Limited trim offered a hybrid drivetrain with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, producing 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and up to 27 mpg in combined driving. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, produced 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds and up to 21 mpg in combined driving. The King Ranch test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The Explorer's ride was robust, handling off-road terrain well with 7.9 inches of ground clearance. The Timberline trim offered even better off-road capabilities with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned between the Renegade and Cherokee, 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 dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system added to the premium feel. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided ample comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five people with a second-row bench seat. The King Ranch trim included triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, while the third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited legroom. The Explorer's practical storage space was limited, with a small center console storage bin and a lack of practical pockets and shelves. The King Ranch offered 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous generation. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available as an upgrade. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. The system also offered over-the-air updates, a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in finding specific locations.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen or a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The King Ranch trim included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. It also featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. However, the Sync 3 system had limitations in voice recognition and operating various features using spoken commands. The King Ranch also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway Assist, which pairs adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was to be added later in the model year. The Compass also offered a parallel and perpendicular parking assistance system and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the adaptive cruise control had some issues with smooth acceleration. The NHTSA had not published complete safety ratings for the 2022 Compass, but it carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for all trims. The NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 model, but the 2021 Explorer earned five-star ratings except for rollover resistance, which received four stars. The Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also featured post-collision braking and MyKey programmable vehicle functions. The Co-Pilot360 system worked well, though it occasionally gave unnecessary warnings to hold the steering wheel.