2022 Jeep Compass Review: Style and Tech, at a Price

design , rest , technology , performance , Security , ability , worth , questions to ask

In some ways, the Jeep Compass has so much going for it. The trim, clear proportions and two-tone roof give it the cachet of a pint-sized Grand Cherokee. Even the seven-slat grille motif itself is a big promoting level (whether or not it is switched to the Aero or not). After all, Jeep has been successful wars and conquering wild lands for 80 years, and absolutely a few of that robust DNA is mirrored within the automaker’s second-smallest automobile, proper?

Yes and no. Although the Trailhawk mannequin does have some stiff potential—skid plates, a low-range switch case, digital traction administration, and a slight suspension raise assist it come again from the bush with out sagging—most compass Trims are made for forests made from concrete as a substitute of clay. This is particularly true of the flagship High Altitude, which will get a just lately refreshed, technology-heavy cabin together with color-matched cladding and daring 19-inch wheels.

Unfortunately, the High Altitude is priced to match, at over $37,000 as geared up. That’s numerous money for one thing on this measurement class, made worse by the truth that even the base-model Compass calls for over $28,000 with vacation spot. whether or not small Jeep It’s definitely worth the coin relying on how a lot you worth off-road appears and premium styling.

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Exterior Color: Granite Crystal Metallic
Interior Color: Black
Wheel Size: 19 Inch

attribute of one thing Minor exterior changes for 2022The Compass appears a bit crisper and extra fashionable, serving to to slot in with merchandise like brand-spankin-new Grand Cherokee Thanks to slimmer headlights and bumper-mounted LED foglamps. The body-colour accents of the High Altitude trim – as a substitute of black plastic – and the two-tone roof add a refined meanness to the compact SUV, as do the darkish chrome 19-inch wheels. I’m personally not an enormous fan of small crossovers, however I believe the Compass is likely one of the extra enticing choices within the class.

Inside, the 2022 mannequin is a big enchancment over its predecessor. The High Altitude comes with a ten.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch middle touchscreen, that are technical showpieces for the brand new, extra horizontal design of the cabin. The entrance materials feels class-leading, with fine-grained delicate plastic on the sprint high and higher door panels, accentuated by a swath of leather-based stitched in entrance of the driving force and passenger. However, the rear cabin is not fairly that posh, with class-competitive – however nonetheless unimpressive – onerous plastic on the door panels and rear of the middle console.

Still, the Compass makes an excellent first impression with much more premium styling than most crossovers on this phase.

Seating Capacity: 5
Seating Configuration: 2/3
Cargo Capacity: 27.2 / 59.8 Cubic Feet

The Compass is likely one of the most spacious automobiles in its class, with sufficient room for 4 adults. From the tape, the Jeep is just a tenth of an inch away from best-in-class in practically each measurement, and real-world area bears these numbers. Cargo area behind the rear seat is just 27.2 cubic toes lower than the Volkswagen Taos; Fold the 60/40 seatbacks down and that quantity will increase to 59.8.

The entrance seats are a bit small on thigh helps – this is not an unusual incidence amongst small SUVs – however in any other case, it is not onerous to sit down comfortably in both. However, the rear seat is nice. The area and help are greater than adequate, and the outside place is optically heated at excessive altitudes (a uncommon function on this class of auto). Also uncommon is the Compass’s comparatively clean trip and well-controlled highway wind noise.

Center Display: 10.1-inch Touchscreen
Instrument cluster show: 10.5 inches
Wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto: Yes / Yes

attribute of One of the largest screen combinations in its class, the Jeep Compass ought to entice most of its tech-junky buyers instantly. Luckily, each the ten.1-inch touchscreen and 10.5-inch digital instrument cluster run the wonderful Uconnect 5 software program suite, with enticing graphics and fast responsiveness. The reconfigurable instrument cluster is one other good contact, providing much more efficiency choices than most of its rivals.

Smartphone integration occurs wirelessly, and USB-A and USB-C ports are on the entrance and USB-C ports on the flagship excessive altitude. Uconnect 5 additionally contains over-the-air Updates, which suggests the infotainment ought to stay present for years to come back.

Engine: 2.4-litre inline-four
Output: 177 horsepower / 172 pound-feet
Transmission: nine-speed computerized

Like most small SUVs, the Compass goes about its enterprise each unobtrusively and with out enthusiasm. Its 2.4-liter inline-four makes a competing 177 horsepower and a comparatively raucous 172 pound-feet of torque, giving it a a lot better response than the Toyota Corolla Cross I. So does its nine-speed computerized gearbox, which is way extra snug and responsive than the droning CVTs of different small SUVs.

Still, the Compass refuses to be something substantial in relation to sporty appears. The completely different suspension and steering give a boring really feel on the twisty highway, and there are some physique rolls and dives that dent the driving force’s confidence a bit. Driven extra comfortably (as the typical crossover proprietor could be), there’s nothing worrying concerning the Compass. But to nobody’s shock, even Jeep’s second-smallest SUV is not significantly enjoyable.

Driver Assistance Level: SAE Level 2
NHTSA Rating: Four Stars
IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick

The Jeep Compass High Altitude comes with practically each lively security and driver-assistance function in Jeep’s arsenal commonplace, however that is not true for each trim stage. The Base Sport additionally lacks adaptive cruise management as an choice, although it will get lane-focusing help and computerized emergency braking as commonplace.

The automobile I drove lacked Jeep’s new hands-on Highway Assist, however the mixture of lane-focusing know-how and full-speed adaptive cruise management nonetheless labored nicely collectively for a clean and drama-free commute. Still, if you need that stop-and-go performance, you will should pony up for the mid-range Latitude Lux trim—not one of the first three tiers supply it commonplace.

City: 21 mpg
Highway: 30 mpg
Combined: 25 mpg

Base Price: $26,785 + $1,595 Destination
Trim Base Price: $38,285
Price as Trial: $40,175

The Jeep Compass will nickel-and-dime you earlier than you burn the tank earlier than it. With a base value of $28,380 for the Sport mannequin with front-wheel drive (together with the $1,595 vacation spot price)—add $1,500 for all-wheel drive—the Compass is likely one of the most costly automobiles in its class. High Altitude does nothing to assist. From its beginning value of $38,285, my tester’s $345 coat of granite crystal paint and $1,495 Elite Interior Package Balloon totaled $40,175. Elite upgrades embrace fancier leather-based, heated rear seats, energy passenger seats, energy liftgates and a 120-volt outlet within the middle console.

If you train some restraint with trim ranges and choices, it is potential to stroll away from a Jeep vendor with a well-equipped Compass for round $35,000, however that quantity can be more cash than a loaded Corolla Cross or Taos. Is. Hell, anybody can get a flagship Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus, just like the mid-tier Compass—with an additional 50 hp alongside for the trip.

That makes Jeep a tricky promote except you have got some money on the hood out of your native vendor, a chance even in these provide chain-challenging occasions. If you’re in search of a killer deal on the fashionable and tech-savvy Compass, go for it. But there are most likely higher choices for the cash.