2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sportier and more svelte design compared to its competitors, reminiscent of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It featured a lower and wider stance, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the car a hip-like appearance similar to the wide fenders of a Porsche 911. The headlights had an aggressive V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sharp look. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar look since its last redesign in 2017, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude trim featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and a dark sparkly finish, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass received significant updates, including a new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The High Altitude trim also included added sound deadening, enhancing its premium feel. The interior upgrades made the Compass more convincing as a premium SUV, especially with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD model, with its dual electric motors, produced 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It had a 77-kilowatt-hour battery and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The top-power GT trim, expected in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller 58 kWh battery and a 167 hp motor, which was less impressive. The EV6's performance was notable for its quick torque delivery and smooth power distribution, making it enjoyable to drive. However, its driving range in cold weather was disappointing, achieving only 65% of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. This "Tigershark" engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, lacked the power and refinement of its competitors. The transmission was reluctant to downshift, resulting in a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, and the overall drivetrain performance was underwhelming. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA estimate. The Trailhawk trim provided better off-road capabilities with features like a low range, hill descent control, and skid plates.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned between the Renegade and Cherokee, 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 interior upgrades included premium leather upholstery, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and a redesigned dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens, wireless charging, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The EV6 featured Highway Driving Assist (HDA) with lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The 360-degree cameras and head-up display with augmented reality were impressive, but Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to legal compliance issues.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive than its predecessor. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system allowed for the pairing of two devices via Bluetooth and offered over-the-air updates. The Compass also featured a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. The nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system was available as an upgrade.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360-degree cameras, and evasive steering assist. However, there were no published test results from U.S. safety organizations at the time.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Highway Assist, which pairs adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, was expected later in the model year. The Compass also offered a parking assistance system and a 360-degree camera. However, it received some false positives from the forward-collision warning system during testing. The NHTSA rollover resistance rating was three stars, and the IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.