2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite exterior updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign, resembling a shrunken Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude test vehicle featured appealing 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and infotainment systems. Soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening contributed to a sophisticated cabin. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive version, offered a premium feel with features like a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned center console.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportage models used a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw slightly lower figures. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement. The SX Turbo trim offered a sporty drive, making it a rewarding crossover for those who enjoyed a spirited drive.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Dubbed the “Tigershark” engine, it lacked the accelerative power of its competitors. A turbocharger would have significantly improved performance, especially for those planning mountain adventures. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models and a six-speed automatic for FWD models. The transmission aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but often resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard engagement during acceleration. The Compass AWD featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and an Active Drive system for improved off-road capability. The EPA rated the Compass High Altitude at 25 mpg combined, but real-world testing averaged 23.8 mpg. The Compass offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance, suitable for light off-roading, with the Trailhawk trim providing even greater capability.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, with heated and ventilated options. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited. The Sportage provided 30.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less competitive compared to other compact crossovers.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among Jeep’s similarly sized Renegade and Cherokee models, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Elite Interior Group option package added premium leather upholstery and light-gray contrast stitching. The redesigned dashboard, new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, and improved primary controls elevated the cabin’s sophistication. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also included Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs, making it easy to use without frustration.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch option available. Uconnect 5 supported dual Bluetooth device pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system was an upgrade option. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in specific scenarios. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn’t the easiest to use compared to the best in the industry.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, offering a comprehensive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS for the SX Turbo trim and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with standard forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was to be added later in the model year. Additional options included parallel and perpendicular parking assistance and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was overly insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. As of the review, the updated Compass had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, though the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.