2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

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 various option packages, pushing the MSRP to $40,470.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5, at first glance, seemed unchanged, but it featured new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, a redesigned grille, and a fresh rear liftgate. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, emphasizing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 Signature trim maintained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats provided improved comfort, and the driving position felt sportier. The CX-5's trim levels were restructured, with the 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo options offering different performance and pricing tiers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with all-wheel drive, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but often resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 25 mpg. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading and snowstorms well, but its driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The EPA rated this powertrain at 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo variant offered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular gas, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5's driving dynamics were significantly improved, with reduced noise, vibration, and harshness, and a blend of compliance and composure that instilled driver confidence. The CX-5's ride and handling were sporty and refined, making it a legitimate alternative to entry-level luxury SUVs.

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 redesigned dashboard, new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, and premium leather upholstery elevated the Compass's perceived quality. The cargo area provided 27.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and handling with new seats that offered better comfort and support. The driving position felt sportier, and the height-adjustable front passenger seat was a welcome addition. The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. The control layout, however, was frustrating due to the non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Cargo space was adequate, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down, comparing favorably to entry-level luxury SUVs but less so against mainstream compact crossovers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 10.1-inch display, and supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system allowed for the pairing of two devices via Bluetooth and included voice text-to-reply capability. Optional features included 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 specific scenarios.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. The system required the use of center console and steering wheel controls, which could be frustrating. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services. The CX-5 offered a three-year trial subscription to its connected services, excluding WiFi. Starting with the 2.5 S Premium trim, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system was included, providing decent audio quality.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features like Highway Assist, parallel and perpendicular parking assistance, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system were available. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally produced false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with smooth acceleration. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review, but the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 included the i-Activsense package, which offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5's i-Activsense technology operated mostly in the background, making it more likely to be used. The IIHS awarded the 2022 CX-5 a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, a distinction few rivals could match.