2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Jeep Compass

In 2022, the Jeep Compass received exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, maintaining its appearance similar to the Grand Cherokee but on a smaller scale since its last redesign in 2017. The High Altitude test vehicle featured attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish that matched the vehicle's paint, giving it an upscale, albeit compact, Jeep look.

Internally, the Compass made a more substantial leap towards luxury. The High Altitude model boasted a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and advanced infotainment systems. The cabin was adorned with soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening, which elevated its sophistication considerably.

Pricing for the Compass ranged from $26,020 to $35,085, not including the $1,595 destination charge. The High Altitude model tested, equipped with standard all-wheel drive and all available upgrades, pushed the price to $40,470.

Conversely, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe's XRT trim, although not entirely convincing in its rugged appeal, added unique elements like a lift and aggressive tread tires that would have better suited its off-road aspirations. Despite these shortcomings, the Santa Fe XRT, priced between the SE and the higher-end trims, started at $34,095 including the destination charge.

The Santa Fe XRT, painted in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, presented a muted exterior on overcast days. Inside, the design and materials did not reach the upscale feel of higher trims but were still of high quality for its price point. The cabin was a comfortable place to spend time, thanks to thoughtful design touches and brightwork.

Every 2022 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite being called the “Tigershark,” the engine's performance was less than predatory, lacking the boost a turbocharger might provide. This was particularly felt in mountainous regions, where turbocharged engines generally perform better.

The Compass was fitted with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which seemed hesitant to downshift and eager to upshift, contributing to a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The vehicle also featured a standard Jeep Selec-Terrain system with multiple modes and an AWD system capable of sending power to the rear wheels as needed. Fuel efficiency was slightly below expectations at 23.8 mpg against an EPA estimate of 25 mpg. Handling and noise levels were improved, but the vehicle's overall drive dynamics were underwhelming.

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering a modest 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not designed for speed, the engine handled daily driving tasks adequately and maintained comfort at highway speeds. The Santa Fe was equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and featured various driving modes to adapt to different conditions.

Despite its modest power, the Santa Fe XRT delivered a refined driving experience. The suspension effectively isolated the cabin from most road imperfections, and the vehicle remained quiet, even on rougher surfaces. Fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the Compass, with the Santa Fe averaging 22.3 mpg.

The Jeep Compass, similar in size to Jeep's own Renegade and Cherokee, offered adequate space for four adults and their luggage, but not much else. The High Altitude model featured premium touches like heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a redesigned dashboard that significantly lifted the cabin's luxury feel.

Cargo capacity was a strong point for the Compass, offering 27.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and up to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, surpassing that of the more expensive Cherokee.

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured excellent rear-seat space and amenities, making it a comfortable choice for families. It included features like rear side-window shades, ample legroom, and multiple charging ports, enhancing passenger comfort. The Santa Fe also boasted a hands-free power liftgate, which added convenience despite its occasional unintended activations.

Cargo space was more generous in the Santa Fe, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats down, offering substantial room for various storage needs.

The Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster and offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.1-inch option available. The system supported multiple modern connectivity features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it had some quirks in usability and voice command functionality.

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT's technology was straightforward, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the system was simpler and lacked the upgraded features found in higher trims, it was user-friendly and effective in daily use. Hyundai's digital key technology added a modern touch, although it was limited to Android users.

The Jeep Compass enhanced its safety offerings for 2022, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring among other features. However, some systems like the adaptive cruise control were critiqued for their overzealous behavior, and safety ratings from major organizations were pending at the time.

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came equipped with an array of safety technologies under the Hyundai SmartSense suite, which performed well during testing. The Santa Fe received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, enhancing its appeal as a safe family vehicle.