2022 Jeep Compass Review

Do you want extra-small, small, medium or large? We could be talking about fast food french fries or fountain drink cups, but Jeep's lineup of SUVs these days is similarly varied. The Compass is on the smaller end, taking its spot below the Cherokee but above the Renegade. It's a rival to the likes of the new Chevrolet Trailblazer and Hyundai Tucson and stands out with its above-average off-road capabilities.

The latest Compass generation debuted for 2017 but the 2022 Jeep Compass gets a host of updates. First among them is a new exterior design and a more refined interior that are reminiscent of what you'd find with the larger Grand Cherokee. New tech features, such as a new infotainment system with a larger central touchscreen, and more standard advanced driver aids should further bolster this little Jeep's appeal.

The 2022 Compass retains the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as last year. It puts out 177 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque and is paired to either a six-speed automatic or a nine-speed automatic transmission depending on the Compass' trim level and configuration. In prior testing, we've found the Compass' acceleration to be lethargic with this engine, so expect the same for 2022.

But the 2022 Compass should still offer plenty of off-road capability, especially in the Trailhawk trim level. The Trailhawk has a specialized all-wheel-drive system to make the most of available traction when you're out on dirt or rocky trails. Jeep says it also retuned the Compass' suspension and steering to provide a smoother ride and a more confident feel on-road.

Jeep has updated the 2022 Compass infotainment system. The standard 8.4-inch and optional 10.1-inch central touchscreens both use Jeep's Uconnect 5 infotainment system. This latest system responds quicker to commands and supports wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you don't have to connect with a USB cord if you want to integrate your phone with the touchscreen.

Jeep has also equipped the updated Compass with more standard driver safety aids such as forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) and lane keeping assist (steers the Compass back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker). More features are also available, such as traffic-adaptive cruise control and a parking camera system that gives you a bird's-eye view of the Compass and its surroundings.