2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

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 in a dark sparkly finish. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, giving it a premium SUV feel. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, ranged 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 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, exuding a subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's design. It also showcased rugged elements like blistered fender swells and oversized air intake designs. The CX-50's exterior design elements, including a standard black grille and available 20-inch wheels, created an appealing look. The upcoming CX-50 Meridian Edition promised exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, and a roof-mounted load platform. The CX-50 came in two versions: the 2.5 S with a 187-hp engine and the 2.5 Turbo with up to 256 hp. Prices ranged from $26,800 to $41,550, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. Our test vehicle, the top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, had an MSRP of $43,170.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 177 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked acceleration power, making it feel sluggish. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with all-wheel drive, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but often resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard engagement when accelerating from a stop. 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 handled light off-roading and snowstorms well. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a different AWD system and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. However, the Compass's driving dynamics needed improvement, with a bouncy ride and excessive lateral motion on uneven pavement.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version with up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration with minimal turbo lag. The CX-50 featured Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, though the differences between them were subtle. The CX-50's ride quality was firmer compared to the CX-5, and it exhibited a hint of torque steer during tight turns. With up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the CX-50 handled off-roading well, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo averaged 23.4 mpg in combined driving, slightly below Mazda's estimate of 25 mpg. The CX-50's driving character resembled a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a higher ride height.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned between the Renegade and Cherokee, offered enough space 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 a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen added to the premium feel. 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, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control kept the cabin comfortable. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy, with rear air vents and charging ports. The CX-50 offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The cargo area included side bins and hooks for securing items.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. It came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, with a 10.1-inch option available. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. The Compass also offered a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect historically lacked touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (HUD) projected essential data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

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, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was to be added later. The Compass also offered parallel and perpendicular parking assistance 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. As of the review, the Compass had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for 2022.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, similar to other Mazda models. It came with a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, requiring manual braking. Overall, the CX-50's safety systems were effective, with room for improvement in adaptive cruise control sensitivity.