2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV that mirrored the refined styling of the Grand Cherokee. It was available in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition upgrades to enhance the lineup. Starting at $22,280 for the Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, the Compass offered a range of options, including the High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited, priced from $32,645 with all-wheel drive. Despite its appealing upgrades, the Compass was marred by cost-cutting measures, such as low-rent glossy plastic pieces and flimsy-feeling parts, which detracted from its overall appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Genesis GV80 was a fresh entry into the luxury SUV market, unburdened by a legacy of design language. As Genesis' first SUV, it successfully integrated design elements from the G80 sedan, featuring a long hood, short front overhang, and a massive trapezoidal grille with a diamond mesh. The GV80's interior was a testament to luxury, with a sleek dashboard, real wood, metal, and leather finishes, and a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD display. The GV80's design was both innovative and elegant, setting a new standard for luxury SUVs.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and an average fuel economy of 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 25 mpg combined rating. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the suspension allowed too much vertical motion, impacting driving enjoyment. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capabilities, especially in the Trailhawk trim, with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and a 20:1 crawl ratio.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine choices: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The GV80's ride was smooth, thanks to its independent multi-link suspension and electronically-controlled suspension with road preview on 3.5T models. The 2.5T engine was lively, while the 3.5T provided a smoother and stronger performance, aided by active noise cancellation. Fuel economy for the GV80 ranged from 18 to 25 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain configuration.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a comfortable interior with the Luxury Seat Group, featuring premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, storage space inside the cabin was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 boasted a sophisticated interior with a rotary gear selector, a circular multimedia controller, and capacitive touch buttons for the HVAC system. The second row was spacious, with power seats and window shades, while the third row was available on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing passenger capacity to seven. The third-row seats featured a power-fold function, adding to the GV80's versatility.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive, with appealing graphics, though some features were embedded in menus rather than easily accessible buttons. Voice recognition worked well, and the system impressed overall, especially for its segment.

The 2021 Genesis GV80's infotainment system was the sixth-generation Genesis UX, featuring a 14.5-inch HD screen with user-configurable split-screen displays. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with over-the-air updates and cloud profiles for individual users. The GV80 offered a digital key function for Android users, and Genesis Connected Services provided a range of features, including remote start and vehicle health reports. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, enhancing the GV80's technological appeal.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. These features were optional and included in the Safety and Security Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance, while the NHTSA gave it a mix of three-star, four-star, and five-star ratings.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. The GV80 came with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of advanced safety features, such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. Adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist added to the GV80's safety credentials, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.