2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Though the 2022 Jeep Compass got exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, it still looked much like it did since its last redesign for 2017. It had a somewhat squished appearance, reminiscent of a Grand Cherokee that had been shrunk in the dryer. The High Altitude test vehicle was equipped with appealing 19-inch multi-spoke wheels painted in a dark, sparkly finish that essentially matched the paint, giving it an upscale if small Jeep aesthetic.

Inside, the 2022 Compass presented a more convincing argument as a premium SUV, particularly in the High Altitude specification. The cabin featured a new dashboard design with updated digital instrumentation and infotainment systems, soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening, all contributing to a significantly more sophisticated interior atmosphere.

As the most expensive version of the new Compass, the High Altitude came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and additional options like the Elite Interior Group and Driver Assist Group 1 packages. Altogether, these enhancements raised its MSRP to $40,470, including the $1,595 destination charge from the Toluca, Mexico factory.

On the other hand, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, described repeatedly by Land Rover as “modernist” and “reductive,” embodied a clean and simple design ethos that might not appeal to individuals seeking to draw maximum attention. The restrained styling meant that our test vehicle in Eiger Gray paint with silver 23-inch wheels and a subtle Black Exterior Pack looked decidedly understated yet elegant.

Inside, the Range Rover Sport featured a sophisticated Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim, a testament to understated luxury. While Land Rover offered the Range Rover Sport in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, our SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle was outfitted with luxurious amenities such as heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and various packs that brought the total MSRP to $98,420.

Exterior highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and pioneering surface LED taillights for a production vehicle. The Range Rover Sport’s design also boasted excellent aerodynamics with a 0.29 coefficient of drag.

Jeep equipped every 2022 Compass with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, offering 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Dubbed the "Tigershark," this engine might have benefited from a turbocharger to enhance its performance, particularly for those planning mountain excursions. During our evaluations, the nine-speed automatic transmission showed reluctance to downshift, and the automatic stop/start system was relatively slow to react, leading to a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The EPA rated the Compass' fuel efficiency at 25 mpg combined, but in reality, we averaged 23.8 mpg on our testing loop.

For light off-roading, the Compass showed decent capability with 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and models equipped with the Trailhawk trim offered even greater off-road prowess. However, the drivetrain was not impressive, with the vehicle feeling slow and cumbersome during acceleration, and the suspension often struggled over uneven surfaces.

On the flip side, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to combine refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. Outfitted with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, the SE Dynamic model produced 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain, exclusive to the Autobiography P440e, delivered 434 horsepower and an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range.

The new vehicle architecture improved torsional stiffness by 35%, paired with a standard adaptive damping air suspension that adjusted up to 500 times per second. This provided a remarkably comfortable ride even over broken surfaces. The modified dynamics, including Dynamic driving mode, brake-induced torque vectoring, and active electronic roll control systems, contributed to the most composed driving experience in the model's history.

Though not as agile in tight curves compared to similarly priced sport-tuned SUVs, the Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road conditions with 11.1 inches of maximum ground clearance and a wading depth of 35.4 inches. The SUV’s advanced suspension and technological features reduced body movement and enhanced both ride comfort and competent handling. Fuel efficiency was reasonably good, with our test vehicle averaging 22.3 mpg in combined driving and achieving 25.1 mpg on the highway.

Jeep offered three SUVs about the same size: the Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee. The Compass landed on the smaller end of the compact SUV spectrum, providing enough room for four adults and their luggage but little extra space.

The High Altitude test vehicle featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The redesign included a soft-touch dashboard with an improved Uconnect 5 infotainment system screen and reworked controls that enhanced perceived quality and sophistication. The Compass cargo hold offered 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and expanded to a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing even Jeep's more expensive Cherokee model.

Conversely, the 2023 Range Rover Sport preserved the Range Rover Command Driving Position, a tall and airy feel enhanced by the low dashboard, upright windshield angle, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, aiding shorter passengers. Our test vehicle had buttery smooth Windsor leather and 20-way power-adjustable front seats. It fell short in the rear seat area, remaining tight for longer-legged passengers. However, the cargo area provided 31.9 cubic feet with the seats up and 53 cubic feet with the rear seats down, slightly less than the Compass.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, five times faster than its predecessor. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa skill, and satellite radio. The system offered an array of options, including a navigation system, connected services, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. Despite its impressive capabilities, certain voice recognition commands proved less reliable, such as finding specific emergency services.

In contrast, the 2023 Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Pivi Pro platform aimed to personalize the user experience but often proved difficult and frustrating to navigate. The voice-activated digital assistant struggled with basic commands like finding nearby locations. However, positives included the optional Meridian audio systems and next-generation Active Noise Cancellation.

For 2022, Jeep enhanced the Compass' safety features. Every version came with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included a parallel and perpendicular parking assistance system and a 360-degree surround-view camera. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems occasionally performed suboptimally. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had published updated safety ratings for the 2022 Compass at the time of this review.

Land Rover equipped the 2023 Range Rover Sport with extensive advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Other safety technology included automatic high beams, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera with ClearSight Ground View. Despite the advanced systems, adaptive cruise control and steering assist performance left room for improvement.