All the Best Jeep Compact SUV Cars
The Jeep Renegade might be the smallest Jeep out there this year, but it’s got some competition from the Compass and Wrangler models.
Written by Jennifer Justice
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
If you want a fun-sized Jeep, the 2022 Renegade is the smallest vehicle they offer at 166.6 inches in length, but the Wrangler and the Compass models can also hold their own. You can choose between the Wrangler, Compass, or Renegade if you are looking for a Jeep compact SUV.
Jeep might have a smaller number of compact SUV options this year, but each one has decent specs to consider. We’ll give you the info you need to help you decide between the Wrangler, Compass, and Renegade. And while we’re at it,
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2022 Wrangler ($30,945 MSRP)
You might already be familiar with the Wrangler, and it’s one of the most popular models for compact SUV options. Edmunds gives it a high rating of 7.7/10, the highest of the three models we’ll discuss here, while Car and Driver agree with their own 7.5/10 rating.
The Wrangler comes in at #3 on J.D. Power’s list of Best Compact SUV and Small Cars of 2022, well within reach of the top spot.
The Wrangler is definitely a fan favorite, with 147,157 Wrangler sales in 2022 so far, but it has had some ups and downs this year, especially when it comes to safety tests. Most of the Wrangler’s safety ratings were 4 out of 5, but several features, such as the headlights, were marked down, so there has been some question about the car’s overall safety—something you’ll want to consider before you buy.
You can choose from the following 2022 Wrangler trims:
- Sport
- Willys Sport
- Sport S
- Sahara
- Sahara Altitude
- Sport Altitude
- High Tide
- High Altitude
- Rubicon
- Rubicon 392
- Willys
Some of the highlights of the Wrangler include:
- Best Jeep for off-roading
- 17/23 EPA-estimated mpg (city/highway)
- Nearly a dozen styles to pick from
- A diesel engine option
- More customization options than the other two Jeeps discussed
Some downsides of the Wrangler include:
- NHTSA safety ratings ranged from 3 to 4 stars out of 5
- IIHS gave it some Marginal ratings, such as the headlights
- Steering is not as precise compared to the two smaller models
- Noisy at highway speeds
The Wrangler is a favorite among both reviewers and buyers. It’s arguably the best car for off-roading of any make, but the main downside of the Wrangler is lower safety scores in some areas.
2022 Compass ($26,785 MSRP)
Edmunds gives the
Jeep Compass
a largely mixed review, handing it a 7.3/10 rating. They especially tout the Trailhawk style for its off-road abilities and the Latitude for some luxury-style upgrades. Car and Driver hand the Compass a 6/10 rating, and it ranks #7 on J.D. Power’s list of Best Compact SUV and Small Cars of 2022. Overall, however, the recent revamp for the 2022 Compass is definitely an improvement from the last major updates in 2017.
It offers a combo of a better interior, tech upgrades, and safety features that add to the next generation of the Compass model.
The 2022 Jeep Compass has sold almost 70,000 vehicles to date, and since this compact SUV comes in five different styles, you can easily find a version that fits your needs. You can choose from the following trims:
- Sport
- Latitude
- Latitude Lux
- Limited
- Trailhawk
Some of the highlights of the Compass include:
- NHTSA gave it a 4 out of 5 stars safety rating
- IIHS gave it mostly Good or Superior ratings for safety tests
- 22/31 EPA-estimated mpg (city/highway)
- Five different styles to pick from
- More seating room for a compact SUV
- Upgraded tech from the previous generation Compass
Some downsides of the Compass include:
- The four-cylinder engine doesn’t give as much power as expected
- The cargo space could be larger
- The 9-speed transmission could be faster
The Compass is a potential competitor for the Wrangler and is a bit smaller in design, and you will also save some gas money thanks to its higher fuel efficiency.
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2022 Renegade ($24,695 MSRP)
Edmunds gives the
Jeep Renegade
an expert rating of 7.2/10, while Car and Driver give it a 6.5/10 rating. The 2022 Renegade follows just behind the Compass as the #8 option on J.D. Power’s list of Best Compact SUV and Small Cars of 2022. It is considered a small SUV and has a little smaller area for seating and cargo compared to the Compass.The Renegade hasn’t been as popular as the other two models, with 23,775 sales made in 2022 so far, but it gives you good suspension, a 4WD system, and safety features like all-terrain tires and hill descent control for when you want to drive off-road.
The Trailhawk trim gives you the best options for driving on something other than paved roads. Overall, you can choose from the following Renegade trims:
- Sport
- Latitude
- Altitude
- Limited
- Trailhawk
Some of the highlights of the Compass include:
- NHTSA gave it a 4-star safety rating
- Trailhawk trim is especially great for off-roading
- 24/32 EPA-estimated mpg (city/highway)
- Five different styles to pick from
- Upgraded tech that is easy to use
Some downsides include:
- 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine no longer available
- The interior has small upgrades, but not a major overhaul
- Some trim styles pretty expensive
The Renegade is the smallest of the three Jeep compact SUVs, but it keeps up with the other two models in terms of performance. The Renegade Trailhawk trim gives the Wrangler some heavy competition in a smaller package.
What is Jeep’s smallest car?
All three models are considered small or compact SUV designs, but the Renegade is the smallest. Here are some specs to help you compare the Renegade to the Compass in terms of size:
- Renegade wheelbase: 101.2 inches
- Compass wheelbase: 103.8 inches
- Renegade passenger volume: 100 cubic feet
- Compass passenger volume: 100 cubic feet
- Renegade exterior length: 166.6 inches
- Compass exterior length: 173.4 inches
What is Jeep’s cheapest car?
It’s not too surprising that the Renegade is also the cheapest option of the three, starting at $24,695. You’ll also save on gas money since the Renegade has the best fuel efficiency of the three. If you’re looking for a Jeep in a more compact, affordable design, then the 2022 Renegade might be the car for you!
How to save on Jeep insurance
You would hope a smaller Jeep means a smaller insurance bill, but these compact SUVs hover around the middle for their average insurance cost. The amount you can expect to pay for annual insurance for each model is as follows:
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