2021 Chicago Auto Show: The Jeep Compass Gets a New Bearing
It might be cheap to insure, but the Jeep Compass hasn’t earned stellar marks from reviewers. The 2021 Compass is in fact Consumer Reports’ lowest-ranked compact SUV. However, at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, Jeep dropped an updated version for 2022. And while it’s not all-new, the 2022 Jeep Compass does tackle some of its predecessor’s shortcomings.
The 2022 Jeep Compass brings a new interior and new tech to the 2021 Chicago Auto Show
Externally, the 2022 Jeep Compass is fairly similar to the 2021 model. The only differences are new front and rear fascias, taillights, and newly-standard LED headlights, Autoblog notes. However, the Compass’s exterior wasn’t the SUV’s major sticking point. Instead, reviewers pointed to its interior, ride quality, and powertrain quality. And the 2022 Compass addresses at least some of these issues.
Firstly, the 2022 Jeep Compass has a redesigned interior. The dashboard is upholstered, rather than plastic, and features an 8.4” center touchscreen running the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Amazon Alexa, are all standard. And if you want a bigger screen, there’s a 10.1” one available. Higher 2022 Compass trims also get a 10.25” TFT digital gauge cluster. Plus, for the first time, the Jeep Compass has optional second-row heated seats.
Also, the 2022 Jeep Compass gets more standard driver-assistance safety features. Collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring are standard on all trims. And later on, Jeep plans on offering the SUV with its Highway Assist partial-autonomy system.
On top of that, at its 2021 Chicago Auto Show press conference, Jeep claimed the 2022 Compass has reworked suspension. The SUV’s steering system has also been tweaked, Autoblog adds.
Finally, the 2022 Jeep Compass has a new trim level: Latitude LUX. It slots between the Latitude and Limited trims, and offers features like leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 7” TFT digital gauge cluster. And if you want the 10.1” screen, this is the cheapest trim that gets it as standard.
Some things carry over—including the powertrain and off-road features
Although the 2022 Jeep Compass has several new and updated features, that doesn’t include the powertrain. As before, the Compass has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 177 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, linked to either a six-speed or a nine-speed automatic. FWD models get the former, while AWD models have the latter.
Speaking of AWD, it’s standard on the 2022 Jeep Compass Latitude LUX, Limited, and Trailhawk. If you want to take your Compass off-road, that last trim is the one to get, Roadshow says. And while it’s mostly unchanged from 2021, the 2022 Compass Trailhawk does have a few slight upgrades.
Jeep’s suspension tweaks give the 2022 Compass 6” of front suspension travel and 8” of rear travel. And AWD models have multiple terrain-specific modes, including sand and mud. The Trailhawk builds on that with skid plates, tow hooks, hill-descent control, a low-ratio first gear for rock crawling, and a rock-specific AWD mode. It also has slightly more ground clearance than in 2021: 8.6” rather than 8.5”. Its approach, departure, and breakover angles, though, are unchanged from 30°, 34°, and 24°, respectively.
How much is the 2022 Jeep Compass?
The 2022 Jeep Compass is available to order right now at your local dealer. Deliveries are scheduled to start in fall 2021.
As for pricing, the Compass trim levels break down like this:
- Sport – 4×2: $24,995 / 4×4: $26,495
- Latitude – 4×2: $26,525 / 4×4: $28,025
- Latitude LUX – 4×4: $29,595
- Trailhawk – 4×4: $31,395
- Limited – 4×4: $31,395
Without driving the 2022 Compass, it’s impossible to tell how much the suspension tweaks have done for its handling and ride quality. However, having sat in the Latitude LUX at the 2021 Chicago Auto Show, I can confirm that it’s a comfortable place to be. So, while it’s not all-new, the 2022 Compass is definitely refreshed.
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