Jeep Compass vs Kia Seltos

In 2024, the Kia Seltos underwent a modest mid-cycle refresh. Subtle yet distinct improvements set it apart; updated headlight and grille designs, and a connecting light strip joining revamped, smaller taillight assemblies rejuvenated its appearance without a hefty price hike. Our test model flaunted the new “Pluton Blue” paint, exuding sharpness and contemporary style. Inside, the changes were noteworthy, including new interior color options like “Gentile Brown” and “Midnight Green.” However, our test vehicle came with a standard black interior. The key transformation was the expansive digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dashboard, incorporating a fully digital instrument panel and an enlarged touchscreen infotainment system.

The Kia Seltos offered five trims: LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX. The base LX trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, two USB ports, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S trim added fog lights, LED daytime running lights, silver roof rails, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a larger digital instrument panel, LED cabin lighting, combination cloth-and-synthetic leather upholstery, single-zone automatic climate control, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, with heated seats optional.

The EX trim offered upgrades like solar glass, synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a wireless charging pad. The X-Line, replacing the Nightfall Edition, boasted 18-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, a unique dark gun-metal grille, black sport design roof rails, and other styling tweaks, but it forfeited the wireless charging pad and power-adjustable driver’s seat. The top-tier SX trim included LED bi-function headlights, LED fog lights, an electrochromatic rearview mirror, a rear cargo cover, and a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel. The SX was also available with a Sunroof Package, featuring a power sunroof, hands-free power tailgate, ventilated front seats, and Digital Key 2.0.

Conversely, the 2024 Jeep Compass had a diverse offering. When tested in Michigan, our entry-level Compass Sport, unfortunately, lacked discerning features, blending into the automotive landscape. In its basic form, it was rather unassuming, with a non-distinct exterior. Higher trims such as the Trailhawk sported unique red tow hooks, revised bumpers, and a mild lift, while the Limited trim previously tested had a sophisticated black and gray interior, enhanced by caramel leatherette detailing.

By 2024, the Compass had markedly improved interior quality with cloth seats featuring blue stitching and textured crosshatch inserts. The upgraded cabin included silver plastic accents on the steering wheel and dash, providing a modern touch. Despite some impressive interior updates, the exterior still lacked the uniqueness expected of a Jeep model.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured two engine options. The base was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with Kia’s IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) for a more engaging drive. The base LX trim came standard with AWD, while the S and EX offered FWD with optional AWD.

The X-Line and SX trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, a noticeable 20 horsepower increase from 2023. This turbo engine was mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, providing standard AWD. The turbocharged powertrain offered noticeable improvements in acceleration, particularly in mid-speed ranges, although there was slight turbo lag at lower speeds.

Throughout various road surfaces, the Seltos handled well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll. It was equipped with 7.3 inches of ground clearance, sufficiently handling modest off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Compass switched from its naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to a detuned turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, providing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This setup used an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard AWD. The upgraded engine dramatically reduced the previous noise complaints, improving overall performance.

The Compass offered three driving modes and the ability to lock torque 50-50 front to rear for optimized traction. The Trailhawk trim boasted a low-range transfer case, Falken all-terrain tires, metal skid plates, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it a formidable off-roader, albeit at a higher starting price. However, in everyday driving scenarios, the Compass exhibited less precise steering and sluggish handling compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4. The ride, however, remained comfortable and well-damped, and the fuel economy was competitive with an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined for all trims.

The 2024 Kia Seltos excelled in utility and comfort. It offered up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 26.6 cubic feet with them in use. A hands-free power liftgate was an option on the top SX trim. The Seltos’ upright seating position ensured good visibility and ample headroom. Both front and rear seating areas provided reasonable legroom, making it suitable for taller occupants. Storage included decent-sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, although the center console tray was limited in space. The SX trim featured a sturdy removable cargo cover.

The 2024 Jeep Compass also showcased strong utility. It provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet when folded. Interior space was generous, with ample headroom and legroom in both seating areas. The front seats came with manual and power adjustment options, and the rear seats included vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest.

From the driver’s seat, the Compass featured clear analog gauges and a large color display. Standard PRNDL gear selector, easy-to-use buttons, and practical climate controls enhanced user-friendliness, although the lack of actual temperature readouts was peculiar. For models with manual front passenger seats, the seat folded to accommodate longer items, adding to its practicality.

In the 2024 Kia Seltos, technology was a strong point. The base infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with a 4.2-inch digital screen flanked by gauges. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Both configurations supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Kia's decision to retain physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate was a welcomed choice, ensuring ease of use. Higher trims, like the SX, incorporated an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system, Digital Key 2 Touch, and additional USB ports.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5 software. This system was known for its crisp and responsive interface, with clear menus and legibility. The Compass included features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, 4G Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports as standard. Optional factory navigation and a wireless charging pad provided additional convenience. Higher trims could opt for a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, Alexa integration, remote start, and more advanced packages for semi-automated driving systems.

In terms of safety, the 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with driver assistance features such as forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, Safe Exit Warning, smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and advanced forward collision warning. These enhancements aimed to provide a comprehensive safety net for drivers and passengers.

For the 2024 Jeep Compass, standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and 360-degree cameras, along with rain-sensing wipers. Although the 2024 Compass had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, the 2022 and 2023 models had received favorable ratings, securing confidence in its safety credentials.