The 2022 Jeep Compass Limited Elite has been launched in the United States market for a base MSRP of $36,980 and comes with some major upgrades from the older 2021 model. Being a mid-spec trim configuration with the Elite Group package, it comes loaded with tech and features. The updated exterior design language sees quite a lot of gloss black elements too, making it stand out from the other trims.
The interior of this compact crossover has also seen a major revamp, with beautiful design and top-class materials, making it feel richer and sophisticated in comparison to the pre-facelift Compass. Apart from the design, the all-new Uconnect 5 infotainment is now standard. Competing with the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Tucson, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Jeep Compass Limited Elite.
10 Butch Exterior
The refreshed Compass comes with a modern and sleek design, and that does make it look more expensive than its actual base price. The signature 7-slot grille and the bumper with mesh inserts on the air dam coupled with silver accents make it look very purposeful when viewed from the front. The LED headlights with LED DRLs are updated too.
The width and ground clearance is still among the highest of the segment, keeping in line with the design language of the more expensive offerings from the Jeep lineup. We also admire the 19" diamond cut wheels, clean character lines, and gloss black wheel flares. The rear end sees no major changes other than revamped LED taillights, silver accents, and dual exhaust.
9 Driver-Assistance Tech
Even though the Limited Elite is not the highest trim level, we do appreciate the decent amount of driver assistance tech offered as standard. This includes automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blindspot monitoring, lane departure warning, cross path detection, and forward-collision warning.
All the basic safety features are standard too. Like the pre-facelift models of the compass, it feels solidly built, and that does showcase its potential in the crash safety tests, as the Compass managed to score 4-stars in the NHTSA crash test. However, we would recommend you to opt for the driver assist group I package if you want even more features.
8 Excellent Braking Performance
The second generation of the Jeep Compass, which this 2022 iteration is part of, has never disappointed us in the braking front. The sharp initial bite, superb braking progression, and all the basic braking feature onboard make it a capable highway cruiser as well as a city commuter. We also admire the excellent feedback from the brake pedal.
The low curb weight of 3,184 lbs, especially when compared to the rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Tucson, does come in handy while braking, The 70-0 mph braking distance of 184 feet is slightly superior to the rivals too. The 12.9" ventilated front rotors and 10.9" solid discs coupled with brake assist, hill hold control, ABS with EBD, and electric parking brake make the braking very effective and fuss-free.
7 Performance Isn't Going To Excite Anyone
The 2022 Jeep Compass Limited Elite is powered by the same 2.4-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 motor mated to a 9-speed torque converter automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The 0-60 mph time of 9.3 seconds and the top speed of 117 mph are some of the worst of the segments. However, it can tow a maximum of 2,000 lbs.
The performance is not going to excite anyone, especially due to the dull roll-on acceleration this naturally aspirated motor offers. The performance is not as good as that of the Mazda CX-5, which is due to the lackluster mid-range torque. The engine doesn't sound very pleasing higher up the rev range either. We also found the 9-speed automatic to be a bit confused at times, however, the shifts are smooth.
6 Precise Handling For An SUV
Handling has always been one of the biggest plus points of this SUV, and the same ethos is carried forward unchanged to this facelift model as well. We loved the responsive steering feel, similar to that of the Mazda CX-5, which is the benchmark in terms of steering feedback and precision.
The independent front and rear suspension, which is tuned to the slightly stiffer side, make sure that the handling is not compromised one bit. The body roll is not too high, and this SUV takes corners without any hesitancy. The turn-ins are enjoyable with minimal understeer and the Compass holds on to the line easily. Mid-corner direction changes aren't going to unsettle this SUV, either.
5 Not As Efficient As The Rivals
The 2022 Jeep Compass Limited Elite managed to do 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highways, producing a combined gas mileage of 25 MPG. With a fuel tank capacity of 13.5-gallons, this compact SUV could do 419 miles on the highways with a full tank of gas.
Even though the fuel efficiency is pretty decent for a compact SUV, some of the rivals managed to give out even better gas mileage and tank range. The Toyota RAV4 could do 30 MPG combined and the Hyundai Tucson could do 29 MPG combined. Both of them offered better tank range as well since they come with bigger fuel tanks.
4 Interior Looks And Feels Great
The biggest changes for the 2022 Jeep Compass Limited Elite lie on the inside, as it is fully redesigned from the ground up. The beige and black interior color combination on offer coupled with the two-step dashboard design with subtle chrome accents makes the cabin look very elegant and premium than anything that you could get from the same compact SUV segment.
The Limited Elite trim comes with premium leather upholstery with neat Jeep badging and perforation. The contrast stitching is used on the dashboard and door cards as well. The piano black elements on the center console and the large floating infotainment screen and neatly integrated digital gauge cluster add to the elegance of the cabin.
3 Decent Room For Five
This facelift Compass doesn't see a whole lot of changes to the headroom, legroom, and shoulder room for the front and rear row seats from the pre-facelift model. However, we aren't complaining. The front row is very accommodating, and even the taller folks wouldn't have any gripes while doing the long road trips. There are multiple storage spaces.
The rear row offers about the same headroom and legroom as the rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. However, the Hyundai Tucson did come out as the best of the segment in terms of the rear row space. We also felt the shoulder room to be slightly restricted for the Compass, making it not very comfortable for three adults. The cargo capacity of 27.2 cu ft is the worst in the segment. Fortunately, rear seats could be folded down to make for more space.
2 Uconnect 5 Is Slick And Feature-Packed
The first thing that you would notice when you sit in the driver's seat is the new 10.25" digital gauge cluster display. It provides all the information you would need, and the display is very bright and vivid. It is also taken from the Grand Cherokee and gets a similar interface and features as well. The 10.1" Uconnect 5 infotainment is neatly stuck on the dashboard and is much superior to the Uconnect 4 that was found in the 2021 model.
All the functionalities are neatly laid out in this infotainment, and the touch sensitivity and display quality are top-notch. The features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, navigation, Bluetooth, and voice recognition are standard. The 9-speaker Alpine audio system offers an impressive audio listening experience, with punchy bass and clear high-frequency output.
1 Build Quality Is Superb
Being entirely constructed in high tensile steel in the FCA small wide LWB 4x4 platform, we found the 2022 Jeep Compass Limited Elite to have a superior exterior build quality to many of the immediate rivals like the Tucson and Sportage. The exterior panels feel very rigid, similar to the Cherokee, and the doors close with a solid thud, like that of the Tiguan.
We also admire the premium quality materials that are found inside the cabin, which has seen a major improvement from the outgoing model. The soft-touch plastics, premium leather, and clicky buttons make you feel like you are inside a cabin that belongs to SUVs that costs more than what the base price tag suggests. The overall interior quality was superior to the CX-5 as well.