2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Jeep Compass received exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, but it retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign. The High Altitude test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, giving it an upscale appearance despite its compact size. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its premium SUV feel. The lineup ranged from the base Sport trim to the top-tier 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 Subaru Forester, particularly in Cascade Green Silica paint, maintained a familiar look reminiscent of Foresters from the past two decades. The Forester came in six trim levels, ranging from $26,395 to $36,495, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. Our Touring trim test vehicle, priced at $37,720, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, making it the best-looking of the lineup. The Forester's design emphasized function over form, with robust roof rails and a 700-pound static-weight rating. Inside, the Touring trim offered Saddle Brown leather, metallic accents, and a mix of traditional buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly despite its busy appearance.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs. 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, and the drivetrain felt sluggish. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass was suitable for light off-roading, but the Trailhawk trim offered more capability with features like a low range and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The Compass felt nimble in various driving situations but exhibited excessive lateral motion on uneven pavement.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT had eight programmed ratios and a Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system with a Sport mode. Most trims included an X-Mode off-road traction management system with various driving modes. The Forester Wilderness trim offered enhanced off-roading capabilities. During testing, the Forester Touring handled torrential rain and muddy trails with ease, inspiring confidence. On dry roads, the Forester's excellent driving dynamics and comfortable ride stood out. The Forester averaged 25.9 mpg, below the EPA's 29 mpg estimate. While the engine was adequate, a turbocharged option would have been appreciated for better performance at elevation.

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, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down, exceeding the Cherokee's capacity.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a focus on simplicity and substance. The Premium trim included a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims offered StarTex artificial leather or genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's excellent outward visibility and easy entry and exit made it user-friendly. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting and the back seats' reclined angle were drawbacks. The Forester's cargo area was well-designed, offering 26.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 69.1 cubic feet with the seat folded down, with additional hidden storage under the load floor.

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, with a 10.1-inch option available. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and over-the-air updates. Additional features included a navigation system, 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 Subaru Forester's technology might have appeared outdated, but it was user-friendly. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's older Starlink system was preferable due to its separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs and buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was nearly useless, often misinterpreting commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were recommended for navigation and other functions.

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 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 rollover resistance rating was three stars, and the IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras. Models with blind-spot monitoring added Automatic Emergency Steering. Rear Automatic Braking was available on higher trims but could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim included DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation. The EyeSight system performed well, though the DriverFocus feature seemed unnecessary. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with an Acceptable rating in side-impact protection and a Marginal rating in small-overlap frontal-impact. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings and a four-star rollover resistance rating.