2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Acura MDX

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 infotainment systems. Soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening contributed to a sophisticated cabin feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim came with Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, with an MSRP of $74,995. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featuring chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard, but some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use some controls. The MDX Type S had a panoramic sunroof and Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes, but the body design and some interior elements fell short of expectations for a luxury SUV.

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. This "Tigershark" engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, lacked the power and refinement expected in a compact SUV. The transmission was reluctant to downshift and quick to upshift, resulting in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, and the drivetrain felt sluggish. 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 AWD was suitable for light off-roading, but the driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The MDX Type S had an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. However, the performance upgrades did not create a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg in combined driving, falling short of the EPA's 19 mpg estimate. The driving dynamics were not as refined as expected for a performance-oriented SUV.

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 a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and premium leather upholstery. The redesigned dashboard and new Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality and sophistication. The Compass had a cargo capacity of 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, exceeding the cargo space of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seats with options for two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Advance trim included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, but the seats did not hold occupants in place as well as expected. The second-row seat was comfortable and supportive, with heating for the outboard positions. The third-row seat was best suited for children. The MDX had a decent cargo area with 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The power liftgate and underfloor storage bin added convenience.

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 wireless device charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, but it had some limitations in filtering search results.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated by a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design was not intuitive, and it reduced available storage space. The MDX featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, but the native voice recognition system was frustrating to use. The MDX offered SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided excellent sound quality. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, but the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread speed limits.

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 paired 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. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, but the forward-collision warning system occasionally issued false positives. The NHTSA gave the Compass a three-star rollover resistance rating, but other safety ratings were not available at the time of the review.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, a suite of safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Acura Watch systems were generally accurate, but the lane-departure warnings and adaptive cruise control had some issues. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact protection.