2024 Jeep Compass vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, with a long hood and low ground clearance, drawing inspiration from the classic Seville. The LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The vehicle's design was further enhanced by deployable door handles and wraparound taillights, creating a bold and unique appearance. Inside, the LYRIQ boasted luxurious details, including leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Compass presented a more understated appearance, especially in its base Sport trim. The Compass Sport was unremarkable, with a design that blended in with other small crossovers. However, the interior of the Compass was well-designed, featuring supportive cloth seats with blue stitching and a large 10-inch infotainment screen. The interior quality was a significant improvement over previous models, with a cohesive design and appropriate materials. Despite its generic exterior, the Compass offered a comfortable and functional interior, with ample legroom and headroom for passengers.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was not as sporty as its exterior suggested. It excelled on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride with a focus on long-distance comfort. The dual-motor powertrain in the test car delivered 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, providing continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. The LYRIQ's 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack offered a claimed range of 314 miles with rear-wheel drive and 307 miles with all-wheel drive, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The braking system was strong, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2024 Jeep Compass featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Compass offered smooth acceleration and minimized engine noise. The Compass included three driving modes and a rear-axle disconnect for improved fuel efficiency. The Trailhawk trim added off-road capabilities, but the Sport trim's steering and handling were less impressive. The Compass offered a comfortable ride, with fuel economy rated at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, though cargo space was limited to 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2024 Jeep Compass excelled in utility and ease of use. The driver’s seat offered clear analog gauges and a large color display, with convenient controls for the stereo and climate. Visibility was good, and the interior provided ample space for passengers. The Compass offered competitive cargo space, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet when folded. The front passenger seat could also fold for carrying longer items.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls and a large, legible instrument cluster. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software. The display was clear and easy to navigate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and USB-C ports as standard. Optional features included factory navigation, a wireless charging pad, and a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel. The Elite Group package added advanced features like a semi-automated driving system and a panoramic moonroof.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and rear emergency braking.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by NHTSA, but the identical 2022 model received four out of five stars. The 2023 Compass was awarded a Top Safety Pick by IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were available on higher trims.