2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Kia Carnival

The 2022 Kia Carnival stood out with its unique design elements across different trims. The LX trim featured a standard black grille and 17-inch aluminum wheels, while the EX trim offered a more upscale look with 19-inch machined-finish wheels and simulated leather options. The SX trim introduced a mirrored grid-pattern grille and black wheels, appealing to modern tastes. The SX Prestige trim focused on interior enhancements, including VIP Lounge Seats and real leather. The Carnival's SUV-like styling, with its tall hood and floating roof design, gave it a distinctive presence. Inside, the Carnival's dashboard and seating arrangements resembled a crossover, offering a stylish and upscale feel even in the base trim. The interior color options, including the bold Tuscan Umber, added to its unique personality.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a refined and upscale design, moving away from the rugged Jeep aesthetic. It shared design cues with larger Jeep models like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. The Compass Sport and Latitude models featured new 17-inch wheels, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Compass lineup included various trims, from the base Sport to the upscale Limited, with special editions like the Altitude and Red. The Limited trim, with its Granite Crystal paint and 19-inch wheels, resembled a smaller Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents exuded a premium feel, enhanced by digital displays and metallic trim. However, the high price of the Limited trim raised questions about its value compared to luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Carnival was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It drove the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth and steady acceleration. The Carnival lacked all-wheel drive and electrified powertrain options, but it had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The V6 engine provided a pleasant driving experience, with various driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and Smart. However, the Smart mode occasionally exhibited delayed downshifts, especially on hills. The Carnival achieved an average fuel economy of 21.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. Its front-wheel-drive setup contributed to a taut and athletic feel, though it could be stiff on uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Jeep Compass received a significant powertrain upgrade with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available across a broad rev range, and it was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Compass offered Selec-Terrain with driving modes like Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud, while the Trailhawk trim featured a more advanced AWD system with a low range and Rock mode. The new engine transformed the Compass, providing a more enjoyable driving experience compared to previous models. However, the engine's power was tuned for fuel economy, resulting in an EPA rating of 27 mpg in combined driving. The Compass handled well on pavement, but its tall and narrow design led to noticeable body motions on rough surfaces.

The 2022 Kia Carnival excelled in practicality, offering a spacious interior with various seating configurations. The LX trim featured captain's chairs in the second row, while the LX Seat Package added a middle seat for flexibility. The EX and SX trims offered an 8-passenger Slide Flex seat configuration, and the SX Prestige trim included VIP Lounge Seats with power adjustments and leg rests. The Carnival's third-row seat provided ample space for adults, and the rear cargo area offered 40.2 cubic feet of volume, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The Carnival's smart hands-free power-sliding doors and liftgate added convenience, though they could open unintentionally. The Carnival's maximum cargo volume reached 145.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a comfortable interior for adults in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather options available on higher trims. The Limited trim provided a premium feel with leather seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered adequate space for adults, and the Compass had a competitive cargo capacity of 27.2 cubic feet, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Compass also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a configurable load floor for added versatility.

The 2022 Kia Carnival featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the LX trim. The EX trim and higher offered a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with wired smartphone integration, navigation, and connected services. The Carnival included features like Passenger View and Passenger Talk for enhanced communication with rear passengers. The SX trim added a dual-screen rear entertainment system, while the SX Prestige trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Carnival's technology was intuitive, but setting it up required time and effort.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM services. The system offered over-the-air updates and could be paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel. The Limited trim included an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The Compass also featured a parking assist system and a surround-view camera for added convenience.

The 2022 Kia Carnival offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The EX trim added features like front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist. The Carnival also included an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder as standard features. It offered ADAS like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims featured Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. The Compass had not yet received crash-test ratings from NHTSA, and IIHS ratings were incomplete.