The Jeep Compass and RAV4 are two of the top-selling compact SUVs. Each one comes in various trim levels offering an extensive list of standard and available features. The Jeep Compass stands out with its off-road capabilities that surpass all other SUVs in its class.
Both the Compass and the RAV4 have room for up to five in the cabin, and each offers a variety of features to make the ride comfortable. The Compass starts with cloth upholstery and adds faux leather upholstery in the Latitude trim, which also has a faux leather-wrapped steering wheel. Stepping up to the next trim level gets you a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. Heated and ventilated front seats are also available. You can also upgrade to higher-quality premium leather and get driver’s seat memory settings.
The entry-level RAV4 also has cloth upholstery. You’ll get a power-adjustable driver’s seat if you just take a step up from the entry-level trim. Moving up to higher-end trims adds features such as simulated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable passenger seat. A heated steering wheel is also available.
The Power
Power for the Jeep Compass comes from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine that delivers 177 horsepower. Front-wheel drive comes standard with the lower-end trims, which offer all-wheel drive as an option. The higher-end trims and the off-road Trailhawk come standard with all-wheel drive.
The RAV4 gets its power from a four-cylinder engine that puts out 203 horsepower and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard with most trims, with all-wheel drive offered as an option. The RAV4 Adventure trim and the TRD Off-Road trim come standard with an upgraded version of the all-wheel drive system to help with its off-road performance.
Off-Road Capabilities
When comparing a Jeep against any other automaker, there’s no competition when it comes to off-road capability. Even though the RAV4 has an off-road equipped model, it can’t compare with the 2022 Jeep Compass. The Trailhawk earned Jeep’s Trail Rated Badge, which means it successfully completed severe grueling off-road tests. It comes with features such as Jeep’s Active Drive 4×4 Low system with a locking differential and a four-low gear.
The Selec-Terrain system adds a rock mode for driving over large boulders and rocky terrain, and it comes with an amazing 8.6 inches of ground clearance. Additional off-road equipment includes hill-descent control, off-road suspension, front tow hooks, and underbody skid plates.
The off-road version of the RAV4 is the TRD Off-Road. It has 18-inch alloy wheels, a front skid plate, and off-road-tuned suspension. While this makes it more capable than the rest of the RAV4 lineup when driving over rough terrain, it can’t handle the same type of off-roading adventures that the Jeep Compass will make look easy.
The Technology
No ride is complete these days without the right technology at your fingertips. Both the Compass and RAV4 have a long list of standard and available tech features. The Compass starts with an 8.4-inch touch screen, the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, and the option to upgrade to a 10.1-inch touch screen. It also has a six-speaker stereo, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and USB ports in the first and second rows.
A 115-volt power outlet is available as part of the optional Convenience Group Package. You can get integrated navigation with the Elite Group, which is an optional package for the Trailhawk and Limited models. An upgraded nine-speaker Alpine stereo is also available.
Technology features in the 2022 Toyota RAV4 lag slightly behind the Compass. It starts with a smaller 7-inch touch screen for the infotainment system, a six-speaker stereo system, Bluetooth, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. A 4.2-inch driver information display sits in front of the driver, and you’ll get one USB port in the entry-level trim.
If you bump up a few trim levels to the Limited, you’ll get a 9-inch touch screen and an 11-speaker JBL stereo system. Depending on the trim level, Toyota offers a wireless charging pad as an optional feature, and you can also add a navigation system.
The Safety Systems
Each of these SUVs comes with an impressive group of standard safety systems. The Compass has a forward collision warning system with mitigation, lane departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited adds front and rear parking sensors as standard equipment.
If you add the Driver Assist Group to the Latitude or Latitude Lux, you’ll get the parking sensors, automatic windshield wipers, and adaptive cruise control. This package also comes with a 360-degree surround-view camera system and an automated parking system that steers the Compass into a parking spot with a bit of help from the driver. The Driver Assist Group III for the Trailhawk and Limited comes with all the safety systems from the Driver Assist Group and adds lane-keeping assist.
The 2022 RAV4 also has an impressive suite of driver aids. All the trims come with forward collision warning with mitigation, adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, and automatic high-beam headlights. A blind-spot monitor comes with the XLE, and some trims offer a digital rearview camera that’ll allow you to see out the back of the RAV4 even if you have a fully loaded cargo area.
While the RAV4 gives the 2022 Jeep Compass a run for its money, it doesn’t have the off-road capabilities you’ll get with the Compass. Both of these small SUVs offer a wide range of trim levels and come with a full suite of safety systems, but the 2022 Jeep Compass is the clear winner in a side-by-side comparison. Stop by Jeff Belzer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and take a Compass out for a test drive to see what it can do.
Jeep Compass 4xe 2020 by Werner Bayer is licensed with CC0 1.0
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