Hyundai Tucson vs Jeep Compass

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson showcased modern sensibilities with its striking design unchanged since its 2022 introduction. Hyundai managed to create a recognizable, aggressive aesthetic using taut angles and distinctive headlight integration seamlessly blending into the grille. Such bold design choices combined into a sharp, contemporary look even in white, a hue typically unflattering in car photography. This model offered trim levels including SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited. Each trim presented unique features— from the SE’s 17-inch alloy wheels to the Limited’s dark chrome grille and advanced headlights, ensuring a style statement at every level. Inside, the Tucson's cabin portrayed a sophisticated blend of technology and ease of use, presenting features like touch-capacitive buttons for volume adjustment, which although different from traditional dials, added a sleek touch. The SE included a basic 8-inch touchscreen interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The higher SEL trim introduced more convenience features, such as a power driver’s seat and dual-zone climate control. For those opting for the Limited trim, luxury items like genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and an upgraded Bose premium stereo system significantly elevated the driving experience.

Driving the 2024 Jeep Compass in Michigan highlighted its utilitarian yet somewhat anonymous look, particularly in base Sport trim, which blended in as a typical fleet vehicle. Only the signature seven-slot grille marked it distinctively as a Jeep. Unlike the Tucson's unique flair, the Compass Sport's body appeared generic, save for the higher Trailhawk model with specific enhancements like red tow hooks and revised bumpers. The interior of the 2023 Compass Limited trim found in earlier tests had a considerable upgrade with premium materials and design clarity, something Jeep focused on post-2022. The base Compass still impressed with supportive cloth seats, a well-designed dashboard, and a standard 10-inch infotainment screen. However, the exterior design didn’t stand out, lacking the immediate recognition often associated with Jeep vehicles.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a sole non-hybrid 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the option for AWD. While adequate for city driving, pushing the Tucson to highway speeds required significant throttle input, resulting in notable engine noise. Those seeking more power were likely to be intrigued by the hybrid variants, specifically the 226-hp Tucson Hybrid or the 261-hp Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, albeit with a unique button-style shifter that required familiarization. Where the Tucson truly distinguished itself was its handling and ride comfort. It capably absorbed road imperfections, making it ideal for long trips or daily commuting, complemented by well-weighted and precise steering that offered engaging yet easy driving dynamics, standing out within its category.

The 2024 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, switched its standard engine to a detuned turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, previously only an option for the Cherokee, delivering 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, the Compass exhibited a substantial performance boost, especially in urban and highway scenarios. It also featured three driving modes (auto, snow, sand/mud) and 4WD lock functionality to handle diverse terrains. The Trailhawk trim emphasized off-road capability, offering a low-range transfer case, rock driving mode, skid plates, and higher ground clearance. However, steering and handling left something to be desired, often feeling imprecise especially when compared to rivals like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. Despite these drawbacks, its comfortable, well-damped ride and versatile off-road features remained strong points for varied driving conditions.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson excelled in cargo capacity with up to 74.8 cubic feet of space when the rear seats were folded and 38.7 cubic feet with them in use. This placed the Tucson amongst the top in its segment, just trailing behind the Honda CR-V's 76.5 cubic feet. While the base SE came with a manual liftgate, the higher trims boasted a hands-free power liftgate system. This innovative feature required just proximity to the rear bumper, no foot kicking necessary, enhancing its practicality for users with full hands. The Tucson’s roomy interior comfortably accommodated five passengers, offering generous legroom and headroom in both rows, thus making longer journeys feasible for four adults. Additional thoughtful touches included deep cup holders and a handy center tray near the shifter, which also held a standard wireless charging pad.

The 2024 Jeep Compass also emphasized utility, albeit with slightly less cargo space compared to the Tucson. It provided 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet when folded. Compass's front headroom without a sunroof offered extra space, while the rear seats also ensured ample legroom and headroom, complemented by rear vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest. The front passenger seat's ability to fold added practicality for carrying longer items. Despite the smaller central cubby and door pockets, the Compass maintained a functional design with clear analog gauges, a regular PRNDL gear selector, and physical climate controls, ensuring a user-friendly operation.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson impressed with its standard 8-inch touchscreen and straightforward infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with easy-to-navigate home buttons, ensured a user-friendly experience. Higher trims and packages upgraded the system to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, albeit sacrificing wireless connectivity for wired setups. The switch from thumb rollers to a haptic volume toggle, while not universally embraced, functioned well even with gloves, showcasing thoughtful usability in cold weather. Additionally, Hyundai’s advanced remote start system simplified the daily commute by allowing seamless integration from remote start to driving without needing to restart the vehicle.

The 2024 Jeep Compass matched this with a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen and Uconnect 5 system, renowned for its clarity, responsiveness, and ease of use. Despite a small inconvenience in switching between apps on the home screen, the system’s overall performance stood strong. The inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and options for factory navigation and a wireless charging pad added to its tech-savviness. Higher trims offered a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel and options for advanced features like a semi-automated driving system, panoramic moonroof, and premium audio system, thus enriching the overall technology suite available to Compass buyers.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, establishing a robust safety profile. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim further introduced parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and innovative features like Smart Park and a blind-spot camera system. These advanced systems elevated both convenience and safety. In crash tests, the Tucson received high marks, achieving a “Good” rating from the IIHS and strong scores from the NHTSA, reflecting its reliability and occupant protection.

The 2024 Jeep Compass also emphasized safety, albeit with mixed evaluations in crash testing. While it received solid scores from the IIHS and NHTSA’s side impact tests, it had lower ratings for frontal crashes and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional upgrades included adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. Though well-equipped, the Compass did not match the Tucson’s breadth of standard advanced safety technologies.