2022 BroncoSport vs 2021 Jeep Compass Limited: My Shootout and Comparison

So I'm back in Colorado and coincidentally the rental car agency gave me a 2021 Jeep Compass Limited. Pleasant little upgrade, better than the car I thought I was going to get and it gives me a nice chance to review a Bronco Rival.

Verdict: I'll start with the end and say the winner of this shootout was clear almost immediately. The Compass has a CVT and CVTs are shit, BroncoSport wins this shootout easily and it wasn't even a fair fight.

Background: That out of the way I drive a 2022 BS Badlands w/ Premium Package so it is a nice opportunity to compare interiors and driving characteristics.

Initial Impressions Immediately I noticed the BS has a much better dash and gauges. I think I take it for granted how intuitively and easily the Sports controls and gauges are laid out but in the Compass they aren't. The gauges are kinda pulled back, the center dash controls where the radio are, are facing almost like down and away from you, you kind of have to reach for them, whereas in the sport they're easily available and simple to use. Thankfully the Compass has buttons and dials so that helps but it would help if they we're raised up more in the console instead of being so low.

The Compass has a traditional shifter whereas the Sport has the rotary dial and I'm really liking the rotary dial. Its not a perfect compromise but it saves so much space and the shifter on the Compass just feels clunky, like its not needed like they could do something else.

Interior: This is where the comparison gets more literal and a more fair fight. The limited is fully stocked in leather heated seats. The Compass has one feature I think that the Premium package needs to have....tilting seats! Its so helpful to get comfortable and I think the Compass does have more comfortable seats because of that tilt feature. I don't have to worry about my legs going numb I can make a small adjustment. That said, the leather feels cheaper than the Sport and is kind of unremarkable. Its leather sure but it feels like it was the cheapest cut of vinyl they could source.

Compass gets the win for the seats, Sport gets the win for the leather and controls.

Driving Experience: I can't make a direct comparison here so I will say the compass feels so god dam slow. The transmission just doesn't want to get going and by the time it does the gap is likely gone. It almost feels like a jet engine in the sense you have to rev the fuck out of it....and wait... maybe get a coffee....then it goes.

Still To Come: Maybe I'll do one of those things like the youtubers do and find a small mound and get one wheel in the air. Thankfully I have all week to fish and find cool things to check out.

Conclusion: If you're looking for a daily driver that'll get the mpgs up and has that Jeep name and 4x4 badge the compass may be the way to go. Its not much fun to drive but it'll get you there, albeit it may take a lot longer. The BroncoSport is a more compelling car to drive. It looks better, it drives better it has a better transmission. In my short time with the Compass I'm reminded why I didn't look twice at the Cherokee Trailhawk. Jeep may have the badges and a true locker but its also built by Chrysler so you get the usual Chrysler cheapness and half-assedness. I wasn't a Ford guy before buying my car but now that I have I'm learning to appreciate what Ford has done well in this segment. Ford has built an exciting car, with a solid engine and transmission, and did it in a modern way. Yes there are some things I wish they would've included (...tilting seats Ford, its the premium package, chuck them in, if people are willing to pay over 2K for it they'll throw in a few more dollars for those while they're at it), power folding mirrors (really not necessary in a car this size), tracking lines for the front camera and moving tracking lines for the rear camera.

All in all the comparison is really showing how good the BroncoSport is and how genuinely exciting it is.

Nice write up. Sorry to hear about your job and I hope all goes well!

Just want to say, and I’m not defending the Compass by any means because I’m not a Jeep person, but I’m pretty sure it has the 9 speed automatic and not a CVT, which isn’t saying a whole lot because that 9 speed from what I’ve heard is a nightmare.

Bronco Blue said:

Just want to say, and I’m not defending the Compass by any means because I’m not a Jeep person, but I’m pretty sure it has the 9 speed automatic and not a CVT, which isn’t saying a whole lot because that 9 speed from what I’ve heard is a nightmare.

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I think you’re right, I kind of assumed it’s cvt because of how much you have to rev it and how long you have do keep it revved for it to respond.

Compass Trailhawk was on my shopping list while looking at the bronco sport. glad i bought the bronco sport for sure.
Good read, thanks!

And I can update my review, now that I've had it for a few days. I'd also like to mention I hope the car rental agency doesn't check the underbody and that the compass should have a skidplate.

Driving Dynamics: Its an unremarkable car to drive. Transmission is still incredibly slow, you really need to plan ahead when passing or anything like that. If you live at altitude this car really isn't for you. It'll get up to speed.....eventually. But when you need the power its not there. Handling is fine. I whipped it down some passes and as you might expect its more tuned into that kind of driving and did fine....going downhill. Going uphill yea, its not a sports car. Steering is fine, suspension is tuned well for on road driving.

Soft Roader: It is what it is. I've taken it on some trails to get to my fishing spots and have had to use the locker and it worked fine. Front wheels were spinning and I had to get power in the back and it did its job. Its not an confidence inducing car. Even looking at pullouts next to water I really had to size up even if small ruts or obstacles were too much for the car. I had a couple of chances to really see what it can do but then I thought to myself while that would be fun....it'd really fuck up my day if I had to get towed out because I was stupid. So the car is a soft roader and not much more. Its fine for a bumpy gravel road but thats about it. I imagine the 4WD system would only really be used in the snow. Suspension isn't good for the bumps either, kind of felt like I was on a trampoline in some sections.

Controls: My original impression is still ringing true, they're better on the sport. The touch screen is better, the knobs and buttons are in better place, the Sport just has a better setup.

Appearance: Yea its a little Jeep and it looks fine, certainly doesn't standout. Now when I see BroncoSports around town, they standout in a good way. The Sport just looks good and it looks like a small off roader. Ford did a good job with it.

Conclusions: Not surprisingly I think Jeep hit their mark with this car. Its more on road focused of course, has am ok not great interior and is good at putting long miles in once you get up to speed. The transmission is a constant nuisance so Jeep did miss the mark there and the car overall is fine not great. Feels more like CX-5 rival than say a BroncoSport. If you're looking for that kind of car the Compass limited will do the trick and I imagine people will be happy overall with it. If you're looking for something a bit more in the segment, the BroncoSport is the way to go. And I guess I'll beat a dead horse and say I really wish Ford had added tilting seats. Economies of scale Ford! Just add them they can't cost that much more.

Its funny looking up other reviews on the car the one comment that keeps getting made is about the transmission, it really is a problem, and the cheap vinyl, it feels like it'll start flaking soon enough. If you're spending your hard earned cash on a car, if you want a Jeep this may be a fine car. If you're looking to get the best car for your money, this one may well be a pass because they are better soft-roaders and there are better CUVs.

Bronco Blue said:

Just want to say, and I’m not defending the Compass by any means because I’m not a Jeep person, but I’m pretty sure it has the 9 speed automatic and not a CVT, which isn’t saying a whole lot because that 9 speed from what I’ve heard is a nightmare.

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Before the BS, I had 2 Compass equipped with the ZF 9 speed..... there's nothing related to "nightmare" to it.....

A little difference is that here in Brazil the Compass is equipped with a 2.0L Turbo diesel engine, so, considering it's high amount of torque at low revs, in normal use the gearbox starts in 2nd speed. 1st is engaged only in the LOW option in the Selecterrain ..... So, in the daily basis, it's a 8speed gearbox, just like the BS.

We had here in Brazil a small truck, "Fiat Toro" equipped with the 2.4L tigershark. In this truck, the gearbox uses the 1st gear to start movement, I believe it happends with Compass in US.....

But I have nothing against the gearbox (except for the "little clunk" that happends sometimes in the shift from 4th to 5th due to the dog clutch that engages it)

The Renegade and Compass have low power engines with lack luster acceleration which allowed me to cross them off my list immediately.

Rodrigo_V_U said:

Before the BS, I had 2 Compass equipped with the ZF 9 speed..... there's nothing related to "nightmare" to it.....

A little difference is that here in Brazil the Compass is equipped with a 2.0L Turbo diesel engine, so, considering it's high amount of torque at low revs, in normal use the gearbox starts in 2nd speed. 1st is engaged only in the LOW option in the Selecterrain ..... So, in the daily basis, it's a 8speed gearbox, just like the BS.

We had here in Brazil a small truck, "Fiat Toro" equipped with the 2.4L tigershark. In this truck, the gearbox uses the 1st gear to start movement, I believe it happends with Compass in US.....

But I have nothing against the gearbox (except for the "little clunk" that happends sometimes in the shift from 4th to 5th due to the dog clutch that engages it)

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Actually, if you look online on sites like CarComplaints.com for cars that use that transmission, it’s usually among the top complaints. Also some of the other car sites I go on complain about it too.

I have a friend, who’s family only buys Chrysler products, and they’ve had issues with their cars equipped with that transmission, one to the point it went out on them.

Another friend of mine and his girlfriend were looking for a used Honda Pilot, which Honda uses it for their products too, and they purposefully went out of their way to look for one with a 6 speed instead of the 9 speed because of the stories they saw about it online.

So yes, I would consider it a “nightmare”, maybe you were just one of the lucky ones who didn’t have a severe issue with it, or you didn’t feel like it was a major issue.

I don’t blame the car companies for the transmission because that’s ZF’s issue obviously, but it is their fault for sticking it into every car they make when they know they get complaints about it.

Bronco Blue said:

Another friend of mine and his girlfriend were looking for a used Honda Pilot, which Honda uses it for their products too, and they purposefully went out of their way to look for one with a 6 speed instead of the 9 speed because of the stories they saw about it online.

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2016 was first year the higher trim level pilots had that 9 speed. Notorious for those transmissions blowing up that year. One of many big Honda f-ups. But I think around '18 or '19 Honda seem to finally get that trans to shift correctly.

So here's the end of the day report.

Total Miles Driven: 450
Mpg: 23
Types of driving: Stop and go, highway, mild off road. Also worth considering a lot of driving was done at altitudes>6,000ft.

Final Thoughts:
The Compass really isn't a bad car. It drives well, its comfortable, its the kind of car you wouldn't mind owning. Its unassuming and its not making a statement. It has a competent touch screens and controls. Driving experience is fine as well so long as you aren't trying to pass on a county highway...

Something thats always noticeable on this car is the lack of go. I've said it alot, but it remains true, the car is underpowered especially at altitude. When you need to pass or accelerate you must anticipate a delay between the time when you step on the gas and when the car finally decides to move faster.

If I had to write the catchline for my comparison it is this:
The 2021 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4 is a safe choice for the person who wants a Jeep. It is an uninspiring drive, however it is competent and gets the job done. The BroncoSport is an exciting entry into this segment that is eye catching, capable and re-defines what a so-called soft roader is and is capable of.

AmazingSieve said:

Something thats always noticeable on this car is the lack of go. I've said it alot, but it remains true, the car is underpowered especially at altitude.

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No turbocharger.

Yeah wife was pretty dead set on BS BL when we bought it but did our due dilligence and did look at the compass limited as well. I dont recall what I thought of the leather but I did feel some of the buttons and nobs (mainly the wipers) felt more substantial than the BS. However reading about the engine it was pretty much a no brainer. I'm not an apologist for Ford Transmissions (rebuilt the one in our mariner at 70k miles, and the one in my mustang at 12k miles, and lets be honest the BS transmission is loud and growls at low rpm frequently) but I LOVE the 2.0 turbo, this vehicle is far more fun to drive than my v6 mustang was. Really like your write up!

Bronco Blue said:

Just want to say, and I’m not defending the Compass by any means because I’m not a Jeep person, but I’m pretty sure it has the 9 speed automatic and not a CVT, which isn’t saying a whole lot because that 9 speed from what I’ve heard is a nightmare.

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You are absolutely correct. Early Gen 1 Compasses did indeed have a CVT.

AmazingSieve said:

Interior: This is where the comparison gets more literal and a more fair fight. The limited is fully stocked in leather heated seats. The Compass has one feature I think that the Premium package needs to have....tilting seats! Its so helpful to get comfortable and I think the Compass does have more comfortable seats because of that tilt feature. I don't have to worry about my legs going numb I can make a small adjustment. That said, the leather feels cheaper than the Sport and is kind of unremarkable. Its leather sure but it feels like it was the cheapest cut of vinyl they could source.

Compass gets the win for the seats, Sport gets the win for the leather and controls.

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Concerning the seats, that was an immediate no-go for me and my wife. We are both a bit on the wide-bodied side, and we could not fit in the seats. They are not made for larger folks.