2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving some exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its appearance from its 2017 redesign. It resembled a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee, with our High Altitude test vehicle featuring attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that matched the paint, giving it an upscale look. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its premium SUV appeal. The lineup started with the base Sport trim and moved up to the High Altitude, with prices ranging from $26,020 to $35,085, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX presented a more modern and sophisticated exterior design, with a shorter height, broader width, and longer wheelbase, yet maintaining the same overall length as its predecessor. The signature spindle-style grille was better integrated, and the RX featured a floating roof effect due to its design lines. Inside, the RX offered a thoroughly modern interior with fewer buttons, digital instrumentation, and a choice of touchscreen displays. The RX 350 was available in various trims, including Standard, Premium, and F Sport Handling, with pricing expected to remain close to the previous model's base price of just over $47,000.

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. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs, and a turbocharger would have improved its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission was paired with AWD, but the powertrain was often busy and unrewarding. The Compass averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a low-range AWD system and 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided better torque and fuel economy than the previous V6, though it lacked the same refinement. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, and the F Sport Handling trim offered improved handling with an adaptive suspension. Fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg for AWD models, with test results showing 21.8 mpg. The RX 350's driving dynamics were generally satisfying, with the F Sport Handling trim providing a more secure and composed ride.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for four adults and their luggage, with features like eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 provided a comfortable and modern interior, with the Luxury trim offering semi-aniline leather upholstery, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The F Sport Handling trim featured sportier seats with NuLuxe simulated leather. The back seat was roomy, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which was an improvement over the previous model but still limited for the segment.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it struggled with specific requests like finding the nearest hospital.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, available with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Drive Connect plan with Intelligent Assistant voice recognition. The system allowed for user profiles and streaming services like Apple Music. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system provided excellent audio quality, though the interface required switching between data panels, which was less convenient than previous systems.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Highway Assist was set to be added later in the model year, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. However, the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the adaptive cruise control struggled with smooth acceleration.

The 2023 Lexus RX was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. New semi-autonomous technologies like Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were introduced, though some features, like curve-speed reduction, were not always intuitive. The system's reliance on the HUD for certain functions could be problematic for drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.