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The new 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

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The new 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

Courtesy photo

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The new 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

Courtesy photo

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The new 2022 Jeep Compass interior blends shapes, surfaces and textures to make it feel spacious and luxurious. The result is a modern, sophisticated environment with signature Jeep design elements, high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology.

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The new 2022 Jeep Compass' horizontal interior theme is emphasized by a bold, gloss black center stack that positions either an 8.4-inch or new 10.1-inch (shown) high-definition touch screen. The 10.1-inch touch screen, standard on the Latitude LUX, Trailhawk and Limited models, is encapsulated in a bonded glass lens for a seamless, high-tech appearance. All screens prominently display the next-generation Uconnect 5 system and are positioned in the center of the instrument panel to be even more accessible to the driver.

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The 2022 Jeep Compass offers heated second-row seats for the first time on Trailhawk, Limited and High Altitude models. HVAC vents in the second row are repositioned within the center console for increased passenger comfort. For added connectivity, rear passengers have access to an available 115-volt power outlet and up to two USB ports.

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The 2023 edition of the Jeep Compass promises to be worth a second look. It has received all kinds of new DNA to help it not only get up the mountain but also become a very engaging everyday driver.

The addition of an all-new turbocharged engine and what we would consider an all-new interior made our week in the new Jeep Compass more extraordinary than we could have imagined.

As the smallest SUV in the Jeep lineup, the Compass was in need of some new design and engineering to keep up with some of its larger brothers like the Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer. Our test ride came in the top trim level, Trailhawk, which added a little extra zest to the off-road fortitude that comes with all Jeeps.

With the addition of an Active Drive Low 4X4 system, which allows the Trailhawk to crawl or go very slowly over rough terrain at a 20-1 ratio, this small SUV should be able to get to places its competition can only dream of.

Our test ride arrived in early March. Usually, by that time of year, we are able to take our vehicles out for some off-roading and mountain test driving. This year, however, was a huge exception in the weather world, with more than a foot of snow still lying at the base of the canyons surrounding us (and multiple feet of snow higher up). As a result, we were only able to test the Compass in typical winter driving.

We found the small SUV to be more than capable of handling all that Mother Nature could throw at us during our weeklong test drive. The Compass would make a great everyday driver for many empty-nesters like ourselves as well as for singles and those just starting a family.

There was plenty of space behind the rear seat, even when Deanne had to make a Costco run for Aspen Senior Daycare where she works. Carrying a couple of strollers in the back along with other necessary items for a small family would be no problem.

“We’ve received tremendous customer feedback on the Jeep Compass’ new interior and all the high-tech features, and now we have the opportunity to showcase the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine standard on all Compass models for the 2023 model year,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “I can’t wait for customers to take it for a spin, because not only is it more powerful, it’s also really fun to drive.”

This new engine is a huge win for the small SUV as now it has real teeth, something it lacked in the past. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces an awesome 221 foot-pounds of torque and 200 horsepower. This gave it that little extra push of power when merging onto the freeway, changing lanes and that sort of thing. The Compass came through with flying colors and is now more than up for any everyday challenge.

The SUV included four different drive modes: Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud and, exclusive to the Trailhawk, Rock mode. For us, that means that it should be very comfortable navigating some of the rocky trails we have driven on in the Wasatch Mountains.

Though we would rather have been testing Rock mode in Moab, we were able to engage the Snow mode as we drove around our local area. It worked very well, getting us through the 2 inches of overnight white we received. Spring will come someday, and then we’ll get to try things like Rock mode again. It can’t be soon enough.

Inside, the SUV has undergone a dramatic change with the addition of a huge 10.1-inch Uconnect touchscreen display that connected wirelessly to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We were so glad to see this as a standard offering on the Compass and hope it finds its way into other vehicles in the manufacturer’s lineup.

We admit, we are large-screen aficionados. We love it when the infotainment screen is large and easy to use and manipulate. This could be another sign that we are getting older — it’s easier to see the larger images!

With the upgrade of the Trailhawk Elite Group ($3,245), the driver’s display also turned into a 10.25-inch LED screen that was configurable for different looks. This added an extra touch of refinement to the small Jeep, something we would go for every time.

The Compass came with heated and cooled seats up front, remote start, a power foot-activated tailgate — great for moms with their hands full — and voice-integrated Alexa inside.

Having Alexa along was really cool. It allowed us to do things like control the garage door, turn on the lights and turn the heat up and down, all by simply linking our account with the Jeep and using the same commands we would use inside our home every day.

After a week with the new Compass, we would be comfortable taking it on any adventure. It truly lived up to its Jeep name.

Base price: $35,745

Destination charge: $1,595

Price as driven: $46,290

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