2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Kia Sportage presented a mixed bag in terms of exterior aesthetics, heavily influenced by Kia’s tiger-nose grille styling. While this design element worked seamlessly on other Kia models like the Stinger and Sorento, its application on the Sportage was debatable. Positioned below oversized headlights and above a chrome trim stretching across the bumper’s squared-off cheeks, the grille resembled a fake mustache, more suitable for a Halloween party than an SUV. Despite this, Kia nailed nearly every other design detail. From the Porsche Macan-esque four-dot running light signature to the Volkswagen-style symmetry seen in the back door shut line and rear fascia seam, the Sportage carried a significant style quotient. Its great-looking 19-inch wheels, pushed out to the corners, lent it good proportions and a planted stance.

Inside, the 2022 Kia Sportage continued to impress with a Germanic design approach. A black dashboard adorned with polished metallic accents and plain white-on-black instrumentation delivered a sophisticated look. The SX Turbo trim added metal pedal covers, and interior color options in black, gray, and beige created a rich, high-contrast ambiance. Control simplicity ruled the cabin with buttons and knobs facilitating seamless adjustments to the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system menus. Each function exuded an upscale feel, and the solid, fluid operation of the transmission shifter reinforced a sense of quality.

Conversely, the 2022 Jeep Compass retained much of its familiar styling, albeit with some updates. Despite new wheel designs and exterior refinements, it still looked largely like its previous iterations, closely resembling a “shrunken Grand Cherokee.” The High Altitude test model boasted attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels in a dark sparkly finish, aligning with its upscale, yet compact Jeep aesthetic.

The cabin of the 2022 Compass underwent significant upgrades, especially in the High Altitude version, presenting itself as more sophisticated and premium. A new dashboard design with updated digital instrumentation, soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and enhanced sound deadening together provided a notable improvement in perceived quality. The High Altitude level, as the priciest trim, featured standard all-wheel drive and comprehensive option packages like the Elite Interior Group and Driver Assist Group 1, producing an upscale MSRP of $40,470, inclusive of shipping from its Toluca, Mexico factory.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered buyers two engine choices. The bulk of Sportage models came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain was adequate but unremarkable. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, packed a punch with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering a robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. Such power was ample for a compact crossover and notably advantageous for those residing in high-altitude areas like Denver. Both engines paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, channeling power to the front wheels, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system, which included a locking center differential for equal power distribution at low speeds.

The Sportage SX Turbo exhibited rapid acceleration, primarily thanks to its turbocharger, which delivered peak torque between 1,450 rpm and 3,500 rpm. This sudden rush of power could be surprising, almost as if a hidden force flipped an on/off power switch. Sport mode further intensified this dynamic, pushing the SUV to eagerly accelerate upon demand. Kia equipped the Sportage with a well-balanced suspension setup—MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link rear suspension—resulting in a surprisingly smooth and compliant ride, akin to the larger Kia Telluride. The SX Turbo benefited from upgraded brakes with larger ventilated discs and exclusive 19-inch wheels with 245/45 tires. Agile handling, good suspension tuning, and reasonable body control characterized the driving experience, although the steering could have been quicker and more precise.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass came with a single engine option: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm. This power delivery lagged behind most competitors, and the lack of a turbocharger was particularly noticeable, especially for those seeking better performance at elevation. The Tigershark engine also emitted an unpleasant noise at higher revs, detracting further from the driving experience.

The Jeep’s powertrain was matched with either a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models or a six-speed automatic for FWD models. The nine-speed automatic aimed to prioritize fuel efficiency, often resulting in hesitant downshifts and premature upshifts during urban and suburban driving. The transmission's behavior, combined with a slow-reacting automatic stop/start system and underwhelming acceleration from rolling starts, rendered the powertrain one of Compass’s least appealing aspects.

However, what the Compass lacked in engine performance, it partially redeemed with its off-road capability, particularly suited for light off-roading and winter conditions. The AWD system included Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes. The 8.1 inches of ground clearance ensured the Compass handled rough terrains reasonably well, and the Trailhawk trim further augmented this capability with its advanced AWD system, low-range gearbox, hill descent control, skid plates, and increased ground clearance of 8.6 inches.

Though the 2022 Kia Sportage was on the smaller side of compact crossover SUVs, it compensated with a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim elevated comfort levels with perforated leather upholstery featuring classy contrast stitching and piping. The driver's seat provided ten-way power adjustability, and the front passenger seat offered an uncommon-for-the-class eight-way power adjustment. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, and the flat-bottom heated steering wheel was standard on this trim.

Rear seat occupants enjoyed generous legroom, comfortable seating, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. However, the back doors' wide frame at the top could pose a slight risk of accidentally hitting oneself while opening.

Regarding storage, the Sportage offered ample interior space, though its cargo capacity lagged behind competitors. The maximum cargo volume was 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat—sufficient for four full-sized suitcases but falling short compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Sportage did feature Kia’s smart liftgate technology, permitting hands-free access to the cargo area, though its practicality depended on user preference.

The 2022 Jeep Compass occupied an interesting middle ground among Jeep’s similarly sized SUVs. It offered sufficient space for four adults and their luggage, aligning with more compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 while costing more than comparable models. The High Altitude trim provided eight-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation for both front seats, and it also included a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The interior was further enhanced with premium leather upholstery, contrast stitching, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and a completely redesigned, soft-touch dashboard. Uconnect 5 infotainment added to the sophisticated feel, situated atop a new, streamline central console that offered better storage options, though the main bin under the armrest remained small.

Cargo capacity for the Compass stood at 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and expanded to a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. These figures slightly outpaced the more expensive Jeep Cherokee, offering a notable advantage for those prioritizing cargo space.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Most trims also included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo got wireless charging and a premium 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with Clari-Fi technology. USB ports supported data and charging needs. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs for volume and tuning, steering wheel controls for station presets, and intuitive onscreen menus. However, some felt the technology was starting to lag; the 8-inch screen was on the smaller side, there was no WiFi hotspot, voice recognition could be hit-and-miss, and smartphone mirroring required a cable.

The 2022 Jeep Compass debuted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, significantly faster than its predecessor and introduced considerable enhancements. Standard was an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch option available. Uconnect 5 supported two Bluetooth connections simultaneously, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an Amazon Alexa skill, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply feature. Over-the-air updates helped keep the system current. Additional options included navigation, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system. The voice recognition system performed well and allowed temperature adjustments by voice, though it struggled to filter search results for proximity-based requests.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came well-equipped with safety features across all trims. Standard features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX Turbo further included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The safety technologies generally performed well, though lane-keeping assistance could be intrusive at times. The Sportage earned high marks from NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo achieving an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation due to its acceptable headlight rating.

Jeep added comprehensive safety improvements to the 2022 Compass. Standard were 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. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering would be included in the Highway Assist system expected later in the model year. The High Altitude test vehicle demonstrated adequate performance with its adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, though the latter could be overzealous at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally produced false positives, causing premature braking. At the time of review, updated NHTSA or IIHS safety ratings were unavailable, though the 2021 rollover rating was carried over, and headlight performance needed improvement based on prior scores.