2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

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, 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 lineup ranged from the base Sport trim to the top-tier High Altitude, with prices from $26,020 to $35,085, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. Our test vehicle, equipped with all-wheel drive and several option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its mature styling from the previous year's transformation, featuring a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The SL and Platinum trims added LED fog lamps and active grille shutters for improved airflow. Inside, the Rogue showcased a layered dash design with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector lever, and ample storage options. The center console included a wireless charging pad and a 9-inch infotainment display. The Rogue's Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row provided comfort, while fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the Platinum model.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked acceleration and was noisy at high revs. The nine-speed automatic transmission paired with the engine was reluctant to downshift, resulting in a busy and unrewarding powertrain. The Compass 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. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a different AWD system, skid plates, 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 Nissan Rogue benefited from a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, a significant improvement over the previous model. The engine's variable compression technology allowed for better performance and fuel efficiency, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission provided better acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension delivered a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel. The Rogue's performance was lively and engaging, making it a more enjoyable drive.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for four adults and their luggage, with front seats featuring eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The High Altitude trim included premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard and new Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality and sophistication. The Compass provided 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 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior storage options, with bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and more. Rear-seat passengers had storage options and USB ports for their devices. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, depending on configuration, and 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The Rogue's interior was designed with practicality and convenience in mind, making it a versatile choice for families and commuters.

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 display, with a 10.1-inch option available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. Additional 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 finding specific locations.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. The Rogue used Google Maps and Waze for navigation, with voice commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system for predictive speed control. The Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to the rear doors, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with standard 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. Highway Assist, combining 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. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with smooth acceleration. The NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS had not yet published ratings for the updated model.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue had ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 advanced driver-assist system, combined steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for enhanced safety. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model's Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS was expected to carry over.