2021 Kia Seltos vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades available. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while the High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited with all-wheel drive was priced from $32,645. Our test vehicle, a 2020 Compass Limited with AWD and numerous options, totaled $39,755, including the destination charge. Despite its premium features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, had a big-car feel with an upright layout and a commanding view of the road. The headlight design flowed well into the grille styling, and the lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle. Our test model featured a two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers, hinting at its on-road driving dynamics. The interior had a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, influenced by more upscale brands. The Seltos came in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo, each offering a range of features from basic to premium.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. However, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts, while the automatic engine stop/start system could make the air conditioning swampy on warm days. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal was sensitive. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided ample power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well with little body roll, quick turn-in, and a smooth ride over bumps, offering a driving experience more akin to a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. However, the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer housing took up some cargo space, and the cabin had scant storage room with awkwardly positioned cupholders.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos had plenty of cubbies and compartments, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the front doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the driver and front passenger. The rear seat provided ample head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured an available Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. It also offered SiriusXM Guardian connected services, a navigation system, and an Alpine premium audio system. Uconnect was intuitive and featured appealing graphics, though some features were embedded in menus that should have been more accessible. The voice recognition system worked well with naturally spoken requests, and drivers could adjust the stereo and climate controls using voice commands.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with a standard 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SX Turbo trim included a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The large screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto while showing additional data on the right third of the screen. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted the audio to the phone's output, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and it was not backlit, making it difficult to use in the dark. Despite these quirks, Kia's infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons below the touchscreen.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. These features were optional and included in the Safety and Security Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests but received mixed ratings from NHTSA.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included driver-assistance features such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The SX also featured an alert for when a vehicle in front had pulled away, preventing the embarrassment of a courtesy honk from the driver behind.