2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV that drew inspiration from 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 trims to enhance the lineup. The base model started at $22,280, while the top-tier High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited was priced from $32,645 with all-wheel drive. Despite its attractive design and upscale features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal, such as low-rent glossy plastic pieces and flimsy-feeling parts. However, it was a significant improvement over the original Compass model.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road, with a modern and attractive dash design. The Tucson was available in six trim levels: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim included 17-inch alloy wheels, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As you moved up the trims, additional features such as LED headlights, power-adjustable seats, and premium audio systems were added, culminating in the Ultimate trim with a panoramic sunroof and heated and ventilated front seats.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, which produced 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and a test vehicle average of 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 25 mpg combined rating. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts, while the automatic engine stop/start system could be inconvenient. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in the Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque available on higher trims. Both engines came with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive, with optional all-wheel drive. The base engine felt underwhelming, but the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier experience around town. The Tucson delivered a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. It also offered a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

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

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was on the low side for the segment, it was adequate for most needs. The Tucson offered solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats. The rear seats were accommodating enough for adults on road trips. The cabin featured plenty of cubbies and compartments, with helpful trays for the driver to store personal items.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. It also supported SiriusXM Guardian connected services, navigation, and an Alpine premium audio system. Uconnect was intuitive and easy to use, though some features were embedded in menus rather than accessible via buttons. The voice recognition system worked well, but navigation required specific prompts.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim featured an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered optional driving assistance and collision avoidance technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. The adaptive cruise control was overly sensitive, and the lane-keeping assist could be insistent. The Compass earned Good ratings in IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance, and received mixed ratings from NHTSA.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided standard driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims offered adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS.