2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its look from its 2017 redesign. It resembled a smaller Grand Cherokee, especially in the High Altitude trim with its 19-inch multi-spoke wheels painted in a dark sparkly finish. Inside, the Compass High Altitude felt more like a premium SUV, thanks to a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening. These enhancements significantly elevated its sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood out with its imposing size, towering nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and stretching up to 19 feet in length. The Escalade's design cleverly masked its bulk with thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits in the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was equally impressive, featuring a 38-inch curved array of screens, high-quality wood trim, and luxurious leather upholstery. However, some parts, like the heated seat controls and shifter, felt less premium, borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles. The Escalade's spacious and well-appointed first row contrasted with the less luxurious second and third rows.

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. Dubbed the "Tigershark," this engine lacked the power to make the Compass feel quick, especially given its 3,500-pound weight. The nine-speed automatic transmission, while better than a CVT, was reluctant to downshift, resulting in a busy and unrewarding powertrain. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard drivetrain engagement. 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 AWD handled light off-roading well, but the driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a more powerful experience with its standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Despite its muscle-car sound, the V8 was better suited for gentle cruising, achieving a combined 16 mpg with optional 4WD. For those seeking more power, the Escalade-V featured a supercharged Corvette V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided a smoother and more efficient alternative, with a combined 22 mpg. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary but effective, and its magnetic dampers and air suspension made it nimble and maneuverable. However, wind noise at highway speeds detracted from the otherwise serene ride.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for its size, accommodating four adults and their luggage comfortably. 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 seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade excelled in interior space, offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV variant provided even more room, with a maximum of 143 cubic feet. The independent rear suspension allowed for generous headroom and legroom in all rows, making it possible to fit six adults comfortably. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast infotainment system. Optional features like a front console refrigerator, power-retractable side steps, and an air suspension that lowered the truck for easier loading added to the Escalade's practicality.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 10.1-inch upgrade available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates ensured the system remained current. Additional options included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it had some limitations in specific scenarios.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted a cutting-edge tech suite, including a span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear visuals. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed with directional arrows and street names, enhancing navigation. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered the best hands-free highway driving system, using infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure driver attention. The Escalade also featured night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats. The rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu, and the LED headlights were exceptionally bright.

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 options included Highway Assist, parallel and perpendicular parking assistance, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally produced 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 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with a lower rating for front-passenger protection in a frontal crash test and a three-star rating for rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise. In testing, the reverse emergency braking system occasionally stopped the vehicle erroneously.