2023 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, with its redesigned exterior, maintained a familiar look that was hard to distinguish from its non-hybrid counterparts, except for subtle badging. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, offered a sleek appearance without overt hybrid indicators. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, reflecting its performance-oriented nature. Inside, the RX Hybrid models embraced a minimalist design with improved infotainment, ambient lighting, and luxurious materials like Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo wood in the RX 350h, while the RX 500h featured a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and aluminum trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a more refined and upscale design, moving away from its rugged roots. The Compass featured new wheel designs and special edition models with distinct paint options. The interior of the Compass Limited test vehicle, with its Granite Crystal paint and 19-inch wheels, exuded a sophisticated vibe akin to a smaller Grand Cherokee. The two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents, digital displays, and metallic trim contributed to a premium feel, though the high price tag raised questions about its value compared to larger compact crossovers or small luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but with a lower fuel economy of 27 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering enhanced its athleticism, making it a joy to drive, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system. The RX 350h, while less powerful, offered a more comfortable and efficient driving experience, averaging 32 mpg.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, producing 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Compass Trailhawk featured a more robust AWD system with a low range and off-road enhancements. While the new engine improved the Compass's performance, it prioritized fuel economy, achieving 27 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed lower results. The Compass's handling was improved, but its tall and narrow design led to noticeable body motions on uneven surfaces. The Trailhawk excelled off-road, though it struggled with standard tires in challenging conditions.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered sportier seats with standard leather and a thicker steering wheel. The hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat slightly raised the seat cushion, offering good leg support but limited headroom. The RX's cargo space improved to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded, though it still lagged behind some competitors.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults comfortably in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. Higher trims offered leather seats, power adjustments, and heated and ventilated options. The Compass Limited's interior felt luxurious, though some hard plastic elements detracted from the experience. The rear seat provided adequate space, and the cargo area offered 27.2 cubic feet behind the seats, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new infotainment system with a large touchscreen, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services required subscriptions, and the system included a cloud-based navigation and voice assistant. While the system generally performed well, it had limitations, such as single-screen viewing and reflection issues. The available head-up display with touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel posed usability challenges, especially with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM services, and OTA updates. Depending on the trim, it included a digital instrumentation panel, navigation, and a premium sound system. The Alexa Built-in assistant worked effectively, and the parking assist system, though not essential, was available. The surround-view camera proved useful in tight spaces.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features had limitations, such as the front cross-traffic alert's visibility issues with polarized sunglasses. The curve-speed reduction feature was reactive, and the driver monitoring system could be obstructed by certain driving positions.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added drowsy driver detection and rear-seat reminder systems, with most trims featuring automatic high-beam headlights. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Upgrades offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous system. Highway Assist performed well in testing, though it had limitations in certain conditions. The Compass's crash-test ratings were incomplete, with previous models earning a Top Safety Pick rating.