2023 Jeep Compass vs 2024 Kia EV9

The 2023 Jeep Compass presented a more refined and upscale appearance compared to its predecessors, aligning with the design ethos of its larger siblings like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. The Compass moved away from the rugged, utilitarian look, opting instead for a sophisticated exterior with new wheel designs and special edition color options. Inside, the Compass Limited trim offered a two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents, sophisticated digital displays, and metallic trim, creating an upscale feel. However, the high price point of the test vehicle, at $45,800, made it a less attractive option compared to similarly priced luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia EV9 introduced a bold, futuristic design with a blocky exterior reminiscent of digital clock numbers. The EV9's lighting signature, including the "Star Map" daytime running lights and the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, set it apart as a cutting-edge vehicle. The interior of the EV9 felt airy and fresh, enhanced by a light gray two-tone color scheme and dual sunroofs. The EV9 offered a range of seating customizations and comfortable SynTex surfaces, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a modern and spacious electric SUV.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally addressed its long-standing powertrain issues with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, transformed the Compass into a more capable vehicle. The Trailhawk version offered additional off-road capabilities with a low-range AWD system and a 20:1 crawl ratio. Despite improvements, the Compass prioritized fuel economy over power, achieving an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded 23.8 mpg. While the new engine was quieter and smoother, the Compass still exhibited significant body motions on uneven surfaces.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the Light trim's single motor RWD setup, delivering 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with a 230-mile range. The Light Long Range model extended the range to 304 miles with a larger battery but slightly reduced horsepower. The AWD trims, Wind and Land, provided 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, while the GT-Line prioritized performance with 516 lb-ft of torque and a 270-mile range. The EV9's power delivery was smooth and refined, with adjustable regenerative braking and a one-pedal driving mode. Fast charging capabilities allowed the EV9 to charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 25 minutes.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a comfortable interior with seating for adults in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone climate control. Higher trims provided leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated options. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, interior storage was limited, with a small center armrest bin and a wireless charging pad occupying potential storage space.

The 2024 Kia EV9 stood out with its spacious third row, offering 39.5 inches of headroom and up to 32.0 inches of legroom. The EV9 could seat up to seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat option. Cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 81.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The EV9 featured a high and flat load floor for easy luggage retrieval. While front storage was limited, second-row passengers enjoyed a large drawer and tray table in higher trims.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The system could be paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, navigation, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Limited trim included a parking assist system and a surround-view camera, though the small size of the Compass made the parking assist less necessary.

The 2024 Kia EV9 boasted a three-screen curved display, including a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 5-inch climate display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian sound system and a head-up display. The EV9's connectedness was a highlight, with over-the-air updates and the Kia Connect store allowing owners to purchase additional features and upgrades.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added standard drowsy driver detection and rear-seat reminder systems. Standard ADAS features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Highway Assist, available on higher trims, offered semi-autonomous driving on limited-access highways. However, the system struggled in certain conditions, and the adaptive cruise control was less smooth in testing. The Compass had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for 2023.

The 2024 Kia EV9 offered a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS features, including adaptive cruise control with navigation-based machine learning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision avoidance. Higher trims added features like the Blind-spot View Monitor and reverse parking collision avoidance. The EV9 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS but received the highest rating from Euro NCAP.