2022 Jeep Compass

Jeep seems to take its sweet time updating its models, letting fine wine turn to vinegar before giving them much-needed attention. However, when the automaker does put in the work, you get something like the 2022 Jeep Compass. The list of changes is long and does a lot to bring the SUV in line with competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and even the new Ford Bronco Sport. Sadly, it retains the underpowered four-cylinder engine, developing a mere 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. At least it remains capable off-road once you spec on the available four-wheel drivetrain. Competition in the compact crossover SUV segment is extremely fierce in the US, and buyers expect a lot, so will the refresh be enough to make consumers give the Compass a relook?

The new year brings some pleasing updates to the Compass, and Jeep knows that consumers shop with their hearts just as much as with their heads. Emotive styling can do a lot to sell people on a new car, and often helps them overlook its failings. The front fascia leaves a lasting first impression thanks to an updated seven-slot grille with rings in gloss black, silver, grey, or chrome, depending on the trim. Flanking this, you'll find slimmer LED reflector headlights, though to get the fog lamps, you have to upgrade to the Latitude. You can tell each trim apart since each gets its own unique exterior elements. Altitude models get a two-tone exterior with a gloss black roof, the Limited has gloss-black trimming around the grille, while the off-roading Trailhawk gets an earthier grey tone. The Trailhawk also sports a signature red and black hood decal.

The Sport rides on 16-inch wheels, the Latitude and Trailhawk on 17s, the Altitude, Latitude Lux ,and Limited on 18s, and the top-tier High Altitude gets very bold 19-inch alloys. The top model also comes standard with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, which has to be optioned on to the lower trims. The special (RED) edition comes with 19-inch Granite wheels, red paint, and Neutral Gray exterior trim.

The Jeep Compass is a small but rugged crossover, and its dimensions are a little smaller than its competitors. The wheelbase is 103.8 inches long, and overall length is 173.4 inches. With the mirrors folded, width measures 73.8 inches, and the crossover stands 64.6 inches tall. The available roof rails add 0.2 inches of height. Ground clearance with the front-wheel drivetrain is 7.7 inches, and 8.1 inches with the 4x4.

The Trailhawk gets even more ground clearance at 8.5 inches, which empowers its off-roading abilities. This gives the trail-rated Compass Trailhawk approach/breakover/departure angles of 30.4/23.6/34 degrees. Curb weight varies between trims and drivetrain, starting at 3,184 pounds, and maxing out at 3,633 lbs.

A total of six colors comprise the standard palette for the Jeep Compass. There is only one standard color that can be had at no cost, which is Bright White Clear Coat, and it's available to Sport, Latitude, and Latitude Lux trims. The other colors are charged at $395 and include Diamond Black, Granite Crystal Metallic, Billet Silver Metallic, Laser Blue, or Velvet Red.

The Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk can only be had in Diamond Black Crystal Pearl, or a selection of two-tone options with a black roof offset against Bright White, Billet Silver, Granite Crystal, Laser Blue, or Velvet Red on the Altitude, while Limited models also have Sting-Gray to choose from. Exterior paints on the Limited and Trailhawk carry a surcharge of $395 for all colors except Bright White two-tone, however.

The Compass (RED) is only available in Redline Pearl, but you need to add $395 to your bill. The High Altitude has a more refined palette, leaving you with Diamond Black monotone or two-tone options that include Billet Silver/Black, Velvet Red/Black, or Bright White/Black. Only the latter is free of charge.

With only 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque, the Jeep Compass crossover will never deliver a thrilling driving experience. Off-road specs are another matter, especially if you opt for a 4x4 drivetrain and off-road suspension, which is what makes the Trailhawk so appealing. It also gets Jeep Active Drive Low with a 20:1 crawl ratio. The setup on the Sport, Latitude, and Limited isn't quite so capable, but it is fully automatic, which makes it ideal for more casual off-roaders. Both systems can route all of the engine's power to the rear wheels to improve grip and traction when it is most needed.

Jeep doesn't want to embarrass itself, so you won't find a claimed 0-60 mph sprint time anywhere, but independent testing reveals that you'll need over nine seconds for the benchmark sprint. Fuel economy is more impressive, especially considering the cars the Compass goes up against. The underpowered engine also means that the Compass can't tow more than 2,000 lbs. This tow rating only applies to 4x4 models as Jeep doesn't recommend towing for FWD versions.

The 2022 Compass only has one engine on offer, and it's nothing to write home about. The 2.4-liter Tigershark 4-cylinder develops just 177 hp and 172 lb-ft. You get more options when it comes to the transmission and drivetrain. If you stick with the front-wheel drivetrain, you get the six-speed automatic transmission, while 4x4 models receive a more flexible nine-speed auto. Sport and Latitude models can be had in FWD or 4WD, but the rest of the lineup is strictly 4x4.

The engine is woefully underpowered, even for such a small vehicle. It's adequate enough for tame driving around town, but overtaking on the highway will take planning and patience. This is because most of the torque is delivered from almost 4,000 rpm, so a heavy right foot is required more often than not. Neither of the two gearboxes is particularly decisive, either, which only hurts performance.

Despite lacking any real bite, the Jeep Compass is pleasing enough to drive, especially around town. Its small size and nimble handling allow it to maneuver around the busy streets more easily. The steering has some gratifying weight to it, so it's a little disappointing that there isn't much power to play with. The ride quality is composed most of the time but you can expect to be jostled about a bit over gravel terrain.

At lower speeds, especially when venturing off the beaten path, the Compass remains perfectly composed. It doesn't have the chops of the Wrangler, mind you, nor does it have the sheer bravado of a Range Rover, but it won't balk at a little rough terrain. It can even slog through up to 19 inches of water, and the high-strength skid plates will protect the undercarriage if you ever manage to get the Jeep to stumble. That takes active effort, though.

Small crossovers are all about practicality and efficiency but the Jeep's gas mileage can't match rivals like the Toyota RAV4. The FWD setup returns 22/31/25 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, according to the EPA. The heavier 4WD configuration manages 22/30/25 mpg, even with more gear ratios to work with. The gasoline-powered AWD RAV4 LE boasts a much better combined gas mileage figure of 30 mpg.

The gas tank on the Jeep can hold 13.5 gallons, allowing it to travel up to 338 miles before needing a refill.

The interior of the Compass has undergone quite a transformation with the crossover's latest update. The new Uconnect 5 software is perhaps the most exciting, and all models have a bigger 10.1-inch infotainment interface. A 10.25-inch driver gauge cluster is also available. Overall, the cabin is well built and sports durable but high-quality materials. Smaller upgrades include the provision of more storage space than before. It all gives the Jeep a semi-premium feel to it, and the long list of additional driver assists definitely instills a sense of confidence in the driver. Upgrading to the leather upholstery and heated front seats makes it feel even more luxurious.

The cabin of the Compass is a spacious and comfortable place to spend time. There is loads of room up front, with almost 42 inches of legroom. Headroom is ample, too, though you have to surrender around half an inch to add the sunroof. The rear seats don't lose quite as much, but those in the back do have to make do with less legroom. Still, 38.3 inches should be enough to accommodate even six-footers without complaint on long drives. The cloth seats are comfortable, but you can spoil yourself by upgrading to leather, while heating is available for both rows. Manual seat adjustment is standard on most trims, with a power driver's seat only installed on the Latitude Lux, Limited, and High Altitude without needing to option on a package.

The 2022 Compass makes use of interior materials that are more premium than before, and the design itself is far more cohesive than last year's model. The Sport comes standard-fit with cloth upholstery, available only in Black. One step up the rungs, the Latitude combines the cloth with vinyl and adds Steel Gray as a color option; Altitude models have this combination but only in Black. The Trailhawk remains a rugged proposition but upgrades to premium cloth/leather in Black with Ruby Red stitching. The Latitude Lux, (RED), Limited, and High Altitude all come with leather seating, but only the Limited offers Steel Gray alongside the standard Black. Premium leather is available on the Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude when you opt for a specified package upgrade.

Interior accents are black and silver on the lower trims, while the Trailhawk gets Piano Black and the Limited boasts a snazzier Liquid Chrome. Steel Gray or Sepia inserts are also added to the Limited depending on your choice of seat color. The base Sport makes do with a urethane-wrapped steering wheel but upper trims get a premium- or leather-wrapped steering wheel.

One area where the Compass drops the ball is cargo capacity. It can't compete with the RAV4, and the Honda CR-V blows it out of the water. That's not to say it can't meet your needs, though, so long as they aren't too extreme. Behind the rear seats, there is 27.2 cubic feet of space for stuff. That's still more than enough for your grocery shopping, and the kids' school and sports bags should fit easily enough. If you're planning a weekend trip for the whole family, however, you'll need to pack creatively. Fold down the 60/40-split-folidng rear seats and you get access to a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet. By comparison, the CR-V offers 39.2 cubes behind its second row and 75.8 cubes when the back seat is folded flat.

Small-item storage is about what you'd expect from a compact family crossover. A full center armrest console, cupholders up front and in the back, and four door pockets all come standard. There is also an underfloor tray in the cargo area.

The updated Compass comes standard with a fair number of desirable features. The safety suite is particularly impressive, with active lane management, advanced brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, full-speed forward collision avoidance, a rearview camera with active grid lines, rear cross-traffic warning, and pedestrian/cyclist detection and braking all being standard. Conveniences include six-way manual front seats, a 3.5-inch digital cluster display, manual air conditioning, keyless entry and ignition, and two 12-volt power outlets. Additional features become available as you step up the trim levels or tick a few option boxes. This means another power outlet, a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a seven- or 10.25-inch digital cluster, remote start, and even more safety features, such as rear parking sensors, park assist, and a surround-view camera.

The new Uconnect 5 infotainment system is a huge step up from the one in the old model. It also comes installed with more modern features. An 8.4-inch touchscreen is standard on the lower trims, granting access to wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and voice commands. The upper trims get the larger 10.1-inch interface, which includes SiriusXM. Additional features like HD Radio and a wireless charging pad can be added via the optional packages. Across the board, six speakers are the standard, but there is an available nine-speaker Alpine setup. There are Type A and Type C USB ports up front, and As in the back.

Jeeps are hardy and dependable vehicles. According to J.D. Power, consumers feel an overall score of 78 is relevant, with 81 allocated to quality and reliability. This rating is backed by no recalls for the 2021 or 2022 Compass model years. There was a single minor problem in 2020 where windshield wipers may not operate properly.

A basic warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is also provided for the latter period.

The NHTSA has not conducted an extensive safety review of the 2022 Jeep Compass, only scoring it three out of five stars in rollover tests. However, crash test results for the 2021 models should carry over, with this model year scoring four stars overall, four for frontal crash tests, five for the side crash, and only three for the rollover. The IIHS was a little more generous, giving the 2021 Compass maximum Good scores in every crashworthiness test besides the side test, which was downgraded from Good to Marginal in a second test. According to the authority, the Compass's headlights are Marginal at best and Poor at their worst, so this is something Jeep should pay attention to.

The full safety suite on the Compass is rather impressive. Apart from traction and stability control, and ABS, it also gets seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag. The driver assists include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, active lane management, hill-start assist, a rearview camera, and full-speed forward collision warning. Additional available systems include rear parking sensors, park assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic-sign recognition. The Trailhawk is the only model to come with hill-descent control as standard.

If we had to give an unjustified answer, we'd say yes. However, it's more complex than that, especially in such a competitive segment. The Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V are all extremely tempting, so we have to qualify our answer in context. Under such conditions, we'd have to say the Compass just isn't good enough.

The updates for 2022 really help to pull it up from its position far behind the segment leaders, but it honestly needs a complete redesign with modern sensibilities in mind if it wants to steal market share from the aforementioned brands. The interior is nice, we can't deny, and the standard safety suite is comprehensive enough to put most parents at ease when hauling their precious cargo. However, interior space is just not sufficient, with the trunk being almost 10 cubes smaller than chief rivals. Towing capacity is also hamstrung by the fact that you can't get a stronger engine than the outdated Tigershark four-pot. This also makes the Compass feel lethargic around town or on the highway. Finally, fuel efficiency can't match the best in the segment. Sure, if you want a semi-practical off-road camper, it still holds some appeal, but as a city runabout, it just doesn't tick all the right boxes.

The price of the 2022 Jeep Compass is quite competitive for the segment. The base Sport with the front-wheel drivetrain goes for just $26,390, with the Latitude asking for $28,485. Altitude models start at $30, 130. All three models can upgrade to four-wheel drive for an additional $1,500, but every other model gets 4WD as standard. The Latitude Lux is the cheapest of the standard 4x4 models at $31,195. The Limited costs $32,995, the Trailhawk is priced at $33,210, and the (RED) goes on sale for $34,790. The High Altitude tops the list at $35,690. These are MSRP prices, which do not include the $1,595 destination charge in the USA. It's worth noting that some trims require an additional $395 for exterior paint, too.

The Jeep Compass line comprises eight models for the 2022 model year. These are the Sport, Latitude, Altitude, Latitude Lux, Limited, Trailhawk, High Altitude, and (RED) edition. Each is powered by the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The Sport and Latitude come standard with a front-wheel drivetrain but have access to the four-wheel drivetrain that is standard on the rest of the line.

The Sport rides on 16-inch alloys and comes outfitted with LED headlights, hill-start assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, active lane management, manually-adjustable front seats, air conditioning, keyless entry and ignition, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and full forward collision mitigation.

The Latitude gets larger 17-inch wheels, fog lights, proximity keyless entry, a premium steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped shifter knob.

Altitude models feature 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, single bright exhaust tips, gloss black exterior accents and piano black interior accents, and premium black cloth and vinyl seating.

The Latitude Lux rides on 18-inch alloys and boasts leather-upholstered seats. Additional features at this level include an eight-way power driver's seat, remote start, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Moving up to the off-road-focused Trailhawk upgrades the interior to premium cloth and leather upholstery, and the larger 10.1-inc touchscreen with SiriusXM. It is also the only model to get the trail-rated capability and off-road suspension, as well as hill-descent control. Rear parking sensors also come standard, as does dual-zone climate control.

The penultimate Limited adds 18-inch alloy diamond cut wheels with Gloss Black pockets, a windshield wiper de-icer,and several additional options. For example, the Driver Assist Group IV is limited to this model and adds features like a surround-view camera and traffic sign recognition.

At the top of the range, the High Altitude sports bold 19-inch wheels, unique exterior styling elements, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and the huge 10.25-inch driver-information display.

A special model for 2022 is the (RED) edition. It was developed by Stellantis to raise funds for (RED), an organization raising funds to fight global health emergencies. As such, this Compass gets red paint, a Redline body color roof, and Neutral Gray exterior detailing.

The best way to get bonus features is to move up through the trim levels since prices aren't too far apart. However, there are several packages to review that bridge some of the gaps between trims. While the Sport doesn't have anything noteworthy in terms of packages, the Driver Assistance Group ($1,495) bestows some of the more advanced driver assists on the Latitude, including a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, park assist, and premium LED fog lights. The Convenience Group ($1,695) further empowers the Latitude with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power driver's seat, and dual-zone climate control. The panoramic sunroof and premium Alpine sound system upgrade can be added on as part of the Sun and Sound Group for $2,195 and is also available to the Latitude Lux, Limited, and Trailhawk

For the Latitude Lux, there is a $1,995 Lux Driver Assist package that adds a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, parking assist, a power liftgate, and a variety of other convenience features. The Limited gets its own version of this bundle for $2,295, including more features such as traffic sign recognition and a universal garage door opener.

Premium leather upholstery is available on the Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude as part of the Elite Group, though the price varies between trims, from $1,495 to $2,995. You can also get the Convenience and Driver Assist Groups on the Trailhawk, for $1,295 and $2,295, respectively.

Don't let the wide selection and odd names confuse you. Even the base model, the Sport, is a good value proposition. Nevertheless, we'd propose that the Latitude is the best Compass, as it gives you more customization options. The step up to the Lux is a $3k jump, and it still misses out on some of the top features. Instead, we'd option on the Convenience and Driver Assist Groups, which give you something akin to the Limited for a lot less money. However, if you intend on using the Compass for regular camping trips into the great unknown, we'd have to choose the Trailhawk, since it has the best off-road capabilities.

Slotting above the Compass in the Jeep lineup, the Cherokee gives buyers additional choices when it comes to powertrains. These include a V6 for optimal power or a turbocharged four-pot for peak torque. This means that it can easily best the measly 2,000-pound towing capacity of the Compass. In fact, it more than doubles it in some cases. This makes up for the fact that there is less cargo space in the Cherokee, if only by a few cubes. Those in the rear seats will thank you for the additional legroom, though. However, the updates to the interior of the Compass really do make this a hard comparison. If you don't mind its labored powertrain and limited towing rating, you'd probably be happy with the Compass. But that V6 is hard to pass up.

When it comes to crossovers, smaller is often better, but the more compact Renegade makes too many sacrifices in the name of a smaller footprint. The two vehicles may share a platform and engine, but the Renegade has a much smaller trunk at just 18.5 cubes. However, the Renegade gives the option of a turbocharged four-cylinder, which develops more torque low down. This makes it far easier to live with around town. Last year, we would've said go with the Renegade, since it looks better and has the turbo engine. However, the updates to the 2022 Jeep Compass combined with the additional space are far too tempting.