2022 Jeep Compass Road Test and Review

2022 Jeep Compass ・ Photo by Jeep

The 2022 Jeep Compass offers its buyers a new face, an improved interior, and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. Those are serious changes for a vehicle that hasn’t been through a complete makeover, and every one of them makes the 2022 Compass a better value than the 2021. So what is the Jeep Compass? That’s a very good question... It is most certainly a Jeep — complete with a revised-for-2022 seven-slot grille and the availability of the off-road-dedicated Trailhawk trim. At the same time, it includes some very non-Jeeplike attributes, like its transversely mounted 4-cylinder engine and front-drive-oriented platform. Looking at the Compass’s dimensions, it matches up with subcompact SUVs like the Buick Encore GX and the Honda HR-V. But it has a completely different demeanor than those two vehicles and other competitors, like the Mazda CX-30 and Toyota CH-R. The competing vehicle that most closely resembles its “personality” is the popular Subaru Crosstrek. No matter how you look at it, though, the renewed 2022 Jeep Compass is worth examining.

Exterior Style

The 2022 model-year changes to the Jeep Compass tie it still closer to the Jeep brand look. The design goal was to create a vehicle that is sophisticated enough to drive every day but one that also doesn’t mind getting its tires muddy. Various trim levels of the Compass have new front fascia designs that incorporate slim-line headlights and LED lighting treatments. The signature Jeep seven-slot grille has received a thorough makeover to give it more emphasis, and depending upon trim, there are new textures and accents. One example of the new look is the gloss black front and rear lower fascias on the Limited trim. The High Altitude model gets body-colored fascias plus side flares. In the spirit of “functional color,” the Trailhawk off-road trim gets a red-and-black anti-glare hood decal. The 2022 facelift includes a new portfolio of wheel designs that extend up to 19 inches. A functional exterior change is the addition of an available hands-free foot-triggered power lift gate. If you’re seeking a size comparison, the Jeep Compass is about 2.5 inches longer than the Honda HR-V and nearly the same length as the Mazda CX-30.

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Interior Design

Like the exterior of the 2022 Compass, the interior has been redesigned with an eye on upping its Jeep identity. The redesigned instrument panel features a wrapped mid-pad with a painted or chrome accent that runs the length of the panel and integrates new vents. While the sweep of the dash is horizontal, there is no missing the gloss black center stack display that holds either an 8.4-inch touchscreen or the new 10.1-inch high-definition touchscreen. Standard on Latitude LUX, Trailhawk, and Limited versions, the larger touchscreen lies in a bonded glass lens. The console between the front bucket seats has been reconfigured for 2022. It holds a beefy shift lever — refreshing in this era of push-button shifters — and a cupholder. The shifter bezel contains an integrated parking brake and a Selec-Terrain toggle. Immediately in front of the shifter is a bin that offers USB Type A and C ports and an available wireless charging pad. Depending upon the trim level and color scheme chosen, the Compass interior can rival the interiors of luxury-brand crossovers.

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Infotainment &Technology

One of the crown jewels of the 2022 Jeep Compass is its Uconnect 5 infotainment system, a truly state-of-the-art collection of technologies. Its operating speeds are five times faster than the well-regarded previous-generation Uconnect system. It leverages an Android operating system and offers the facility for over-the-air updates. The standard 8.4-inch touchscreen display is the largest standard entry-level touchscreen in the class. Beyond that, the Compass offers a 10.1-inch touchscreen standard on Latitude LUX, Trailhawk, and Limited trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are offered with both screens sizes. The home screen is customizable, and the system offers the ability to pair two Bluetooth-enabled smartphones simultaneously. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is able to connect up to eight wireless devices. A wireless charging pad is available on Latitude and higher trims. The standard USB Type A and Type C ports allow devices to charge up to four times faster than before. Beyond the infotainment system, the 2022 Compass has an available full-color 10.25-inch frameless digital TFT gauge cluster. Among its features are almost two dozen user-selectable menus for things like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and speed limit signs.

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Powertrains

The engine choice in the 2022 Jeep Compass is about as simple as possible. All Compass crossovers are powered by a normally aspirated 177-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine dubbed Tigershark. It delivers 172 lb-ft of peak torque at 3,900 rpm, and it incorporates stop/start technology for added fuel efficiency. One bit of good news is the stop/start tech has been refined to minimize noise, vibration, and harshness. Front-drive Compass models are equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions, while the all-wheel-drive models have 9-speed automatics. The 9-speed in the Trailhawk has an ultra-low 20:1 crawl ratio. The Jeep Active Drive 4x4 system is optional on all trims with the exception of the Trailhawk, which is equipped with Jeep Active Drive Low, incorporating the low crawl ratio.

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Driving Impression

Far and away the best reason to choose the Jeep Compass over the others in the segment is for its off-road abilities. If you have no off-road aspirations at all, you might find another crossover more suitable for day-to-day driving. But for 2022, the Compass has enhanced on-road abilities thanks to its new suspension tuning designed to deliver a smooth ride. Its upgraded steering is more pavement-oriented as well. All that said, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is the most-capable off-roader of all compact SUVs by a large margin. And other 4x4 Compasses also have better-than-average off-road chops. While the Tigershark engine feels a bit breathless at times, the Compass offers considerably more horsepower than the Honda HR-V and the Subaru Crosstrek. The Compass is a relatively inexpensive vehicle that can serve as a pleasant commuter car during the week while offering the ability to embark off-road on the weekends.

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Safety & Driver Aids

The headline-grabbing piece of new-for-2022 driver-assist tech on the Jeep Compass is Highway Assist. The hands-on-the-wheel semi-autonomous driving system uses lane-centering with adaptive cruise control to keep the Jeep at a prescribed interval behind the vehicle ahead. Meant for on-highway use, it employs multiple sensors, radars, and cameras to control the vehicle and steer it through curves. Another new advanced driver-assist feature is Traffic Sign Recognition. It displays supplemental speed limit sign information to the driver. Both systems are available on Limited, Trailhawk, and High Altitude models. Active Lane Management, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Pedestrian/Cyclist Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind-spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Path detection are standard on all Compass models for 2022. The available 360-degree surround-view camera system and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist systems provide solace in challenging parking situations.

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Interior Accommodations & Cargo Space

As part of the 2022 refresh effort, the Jeep Compass has a more accommodating interior. The driver and front passenger seats can be both heated and ventilated. For the first time, heated seats are available in the Compass’ second row as well. HVAC vents in the second row were repositioned in the center console, and rear-seat passengers have access to an optional 115-volt power outlet and up to two USB ports.The Jeep Compass is right in line with its top competitors in terms of interior room and cargo space. It offers 99.6 cubic feet of interior space, identical to the Honda HR-V and 1 cubic foot less than the Subaru Crosstrek. With the rear seats up for use, it has 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat backs, while the HR-V offers 24.3 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded, the Compass has 59.8 cubic feet of cargo area, and the HR-V has 58.8. The lift gate is easy to open and shut, and now there’s a hands-free power-operated option.

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Fuel Economy & Towing

The Jeep Compass is a small vehicle, and it's equipped with a small-displacement 4-cylinder engine. That said, the vehicle’s fuel economy is affected by its off-road-orientation. Big tires and low gearing aren't recipes for high on-road fuel economy, but they are critical to going where others fear to tread. The base front-drive Compass with 6-speed automatic transmission turns in an EPA-rated 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined. For a 4x4 with the associated 9-speed automatic transmission, the numbers are 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined. In comparison, a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek with CVT transmission and all-wheel-drive has EPA-rated fuel economy of 28 mpg city/33 mpg highway/30 mpg combined. When equipped with the Tigershark engine and all-wheel-drive, Jeep recommends the Compass tow no more than 2,000 pounds. Jeep doesn’t recommend towing with the front-drive Compass.

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Trim Levels

The 2022 Jeep Compass lineup consists of five models: Sport, Latitude, Latitude LUX, Limited, and Trailhawk. The last three of these are available as 4x4 only. You can buy front-drive and AWD versions of the Sport and Latitude. The Compass Trailhawk is the premier off-roader not only in the Compass lineup but also across the segment. Its off-road credentials include the Jeep Active Drive Low 4-wheel-drive system, skid plates, and red tow hooks. It has Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud and Rock modes plus hill-descent control. For a fully equipped vehicle, the Limited trim is your best pick, especially if you’re just an occasional off-roader.

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Pricing & Value

The Jeep Compass offers economical front-drive versions for those who want to join the Jeep “club” but don’t want the expense of a 4x4. It also offers full-on all-terrain 4x4 models, most notably the Trailhawk and other 4x4s that combine luxury equipment levels with all-weather traction. Most buyers will find what they like among the list of trims and optional equipment. The base front-wheel drive Compass Sport has an MSRP of $24,995 plus a rather high $1,595 destination charge. For the Latitude trim level in 4x4 configuration, the MSRP is $26,525 plus the $1,595 destination. Those seeking luxury will find the Limited 4x4 has an MSRP of $31,395 plus the destination charge. Off-road enthusiasts will choose the Trailhawk, which also has an MSRP of $31,395 plus destination.

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