2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Jeep Compass received exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, but it retained much of its look from the 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 2022 Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, giving it a premium feel. The lineup ranged from the base Sport trim to the upscale 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 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a more refined and upscale design ethos, aligning it with the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families. The Sport and Latitude models featured new 17-inch wheels, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Compass Red editions were available in black or silver paint. The 2023 lineup included the base Sport, mid-level Latitude, upgraded Latitude Lux, and upscale Limited, with the Trailhawk for off-road enthusiasts. Prices ranged from just under $32,000 to over $40,000, making it a pricier option in the small SUV segment. Our Limited test vehicle, with extra-cost paint and several option packages, had an MSRP of $45,800.

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 compete with other SUVs. A turbocharger would have significantly improved performance, especially for those heading to higher altitudes. The engine was noisy when revving hard, and the nine-speed automatic transmission 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 AWD had 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for light off-roading. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a different AWD system, skid plates, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally addressed its powertrain issues with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The peak torque was available from 1,750 rpm to 4,250 rpm, and the maximum horsepower arrived at 5,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard Jeep Active Drive AWD system. The Trailhawk trim featured a more advanced AWD system with a low range and a 20:1 crawl ratio. The new turbo engine transformed the Compass from gutless to gutsy, though it wasn't as powerful as it could be. The EPA rated the 2023 Compass at 27 mpg in combined driving, but our test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg. The new powertrain was quieter, smoother, and more refined, making the 2023 Compass a more enjoyable drive. However, the SUV's tall, narrow, and stubby design contributed to significant body motions on uneven pavement.

The 2022 Jeep Compass shared similar interior dimensions with the Renegade and Cherokee, making it spacious enough 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 dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system added to the premium feel. The Compass offered 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 2023 Jeep Compass provided a comfortable interior for adults in both rows of seats, despite its narrow design. Standard equipment included an air filtration system and a humidity-sensing dual-zone automatic climate control system. Cloth upholstery was standard on the Sport and Latitude models, while higher trims offered leather seats and premium leather options. The Limited trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered enough space for adults, with generous foot room and supportive seat cushions. 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. The manually-adjustable front passenger seat could fold in half to accommodate long items.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous generation. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available as an upgrade. 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 up to date. The Compass also offered a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless device charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with some specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not the easiest to use.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Uconnect 5 technology. It supported Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services with Wi-Fi and an Alexa Skill. The system received over-the-air updates to stay current. Depending on the trim, the system paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel. Additional features included an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in with natural voice recognition. The Limited test vehicle had all these features, and the Alexa Built-in technology was fast and accurate. The Alpine audio system sounded good but was a bit bass-heavy. The test vehicle also had a parking assist system and a surround-view camera.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with standard forward-collision warning, 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 parking assistance system and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the updated 2022 Compass, but the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a standard drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder system. All but the base Sport trim featured automatic high-beam headlights. Standard advanced driving assistance systems included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear parking sensors. The Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude trims offered Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. Our Limited test vehicle had Highway Assist, which worked well in light traffic but struggled with certain conditions. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were less satisfying on the Pacific Coast Highway. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2023 Compass, and the IIHS had incomplete test results. The 2022 Compass qualified for a Top Safety Pick rating, but the 2023 model was ineligible until further testing.