2023 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence at over 16 feet long. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint. The rear echoed the quad lamp design with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts, and while the hands-free liftgate was boxy, it added to the SUV's elegance. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim, with a center console featuring three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel was distinct, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash. Despite this minor annoyance, the interior was spacious and luxurious, offering a pleasant environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a refined design ethos, moving away from ruggedness to a more upscale look akin to the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families. The Compass Sport and Latitude models introduced a new 17-inch wheel design, while the Trailhawk's wheels were gloss black. The Compass lineup included five core trims and special editions, with prices ranging from under $32,000 to over $40,000. Our Limited test vehicle, priced at $45,800, featured Granite Crystal paint and optional 19-inch wheels, resembling a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents felt sophisticated, aided by digital displays and metallic trim. However, the high price seemed excessive, as a similarly equipped Compass at $35,800 would be more appealing.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered all-wheel drive with a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured the larger engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly athletic or nimble, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, it excelled in highway driving. The power delivery was smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a serene driving experience.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, standard across all models, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD, the Compass offered three driving modes: Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud. The Trailhawk version featured a more advanced AWD system with a 20:1 crawl ratio and additional off-road capabilities. While the new engine improved the Compass's performance, it prioritized fuel economy over power, achieving an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined. Despite some limitations, the 2023 Compass was a significant improvement over previous models, offering a more enjoyable driving experience.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxurious features. Standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were complemented by ventilated front and rear seats, adjustable in multiple ways. The Ergo Motion driver's seat offered fatigue-reducing features, while Nappa leather seats added to the sumptuous feel. A third-row option was available, though legroom was limited. The GV80 boasted a tri-zone climate control system, a 21-speaker stereo, and a panoramic glass roof. With 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 84 cubic feet, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, the GV80 offered impressive utility.

The 2023 Jeep Compass provided 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 test vehicle featured leather seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a heated steering wheel. While interior storage was limited, the Compass offered competitive cargo space, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet. The manually-adjustable front passenger seat could fold for carrying long items.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, accompanied by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster and a head-up display. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial control offered a tactile experience, though navigating the menu was cumbersome. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, albeit not wirelessly. The GV80 also included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a remote smart parking assist system, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside.

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, with over-the-air updates. Depending on the trim, the system could include a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, navigation, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Limited test vehicle featured Alexa Built-in, offering responsive voice control. The Compass also had a parking assist system and a surround-view camera, though its compact size made the former less necessary.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. A standout feature was the blind-spot video feed displayed in the digital gauge cluster. The GV80 also offered Highway Drive Assist, providing hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added drowsy driver detection and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control and Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. During testing, Highway Assist performed well, though it struggled with certain conditions. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2023 Compass, and the IIHS had incomplete results, though the previous model was a Top Safety Pick.