2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its familiar look since 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 in a dark sparkly finish that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and infotainment systems. Soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening contributed to a more sophisticated cabin experience. The High Altitude trim was the most expensive in the lineup, which started with the base Sport trim and included Latitude, Latitude Lux, Limited, Trailhawk, and High Altitude models, with prices ranging from $26,020 to $35,085, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. Our test vehicle, equipped with standard all-wheel drive and additional option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470, including destination.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, redesigned for the 2022 model year, carried over into 2023 with minimal changes, except for the Rock Creek trim level. It featured futuristic headlights and an angular C-pillar, blending traditional elements with forward-thinking design, ensuring its relevance for years. The modern aesthetic extended into the cabin, which boasted clean lines and a sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical. Trims included S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum, with the S trim offering standard features like 18-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Rock Creek trim added off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, and unique styling elements, while the Platinum trim offered upgraded leather upholstery and 20-inch alloy wheels.

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 been beneficial, especially for those planning mountain adventures. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for all-wheel-drive models, while front-wheel-drive models had a six-speed automatic. The transmission aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard engagement when accelerating. The Compass averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass was suitable for light off-roading, while the Trailhawk trim offered enhanced capabilities. The Compass felt nimble but exhibited excessive lateral motion on uneven pavement, and its driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim featured a tuned version of the engine, producing 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was routed through a 9-speed automatic transmission to front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The Rock Creek trim offered added off-road capability with a slightly taller suspension and off-road shocks. The engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, and the automatic transmission was smooth and quiet. However, the new shifter design was distracting and could lead to accidental gear shifts. The Pathfinder featured a rotary drive mode dial with various modes, including an All-Terrain mode in the Rock Creek trim. The Pathfinder had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, with the Rock Creek capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds.

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 offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The cabin featured a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a redesigned dashboard, and a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen. 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 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 45 cubic feet of cargo space, and 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The first two rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. Optional second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with numerous cubbies and compartments. The Rock Creek trim included a tubular roof rack capable of holding up to 220 pounds, though its proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

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 touchscreen available as an upgrade. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with over-the-air updates. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with certain requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not as user-friendly as the best systems in the industry.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch system available on higher trims. The system was easy to use, with logical menu layouts and real buttons and dials. However, some might find the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Higher trims added features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless device charging. While not the most cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech kept devices charged and connected.

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, which paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, was to be added later in the model year. The Compass also offered a parking assistance system and a 360-degree camera system. However, the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds, and the forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder included forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist with lane centering and adaptive cruise control, while the SL trim added front parking sensors, a 360-degree monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. The Platinum trim included rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Pathfinder's off-road mode displayed front- and side-view cameras at low speeds for obstacle monitoring.