Compare the2024 Kia Sportage HybridVS 2024 Jeep Compass

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige has standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Sportage Hybrid and Compass have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Compass’ Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage Hybrid and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Sportage Hybrid is much safer than the Compass:

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sportage Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 58 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Compass was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

The Sportage Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Compass’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Compass. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Compass ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage Hybrid’s reliability 20 points higher than the Compass.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 56 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 19th.

The Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (227 vs. 200) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Sportage Hybrid is faster than the Jeep Compass:

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage Hybrid gets better mileage than the Compass:

Regenerative brakes improve the Sportage Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Compass doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Sportage Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Compass. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Sportage Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Compass:

The Sportage Hybrid stops much shorter than the Compass:

For better traction, the Sportage Hybrid has larger tires than the Compass (235/65R17 vs. 215/65R17).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage Hybrid’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Compass (108.5 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage Hybrid is 3 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Compass.

The Sportage SX Prestige HEV AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Compass Sport pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Compass (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Sportage Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Sportage Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Compass doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sportage Hybrid has .4 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Compass.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Compass’ rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Compass with its rear seat up (39.5 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Compass with its rear seat folded (73.7 vs. 59.8 cubic feet).

The Sportage Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Compass doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

On a hot day the Sportage Hybrid’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Compass doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

When the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Compass’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Sportage Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Compass and isn’t available on the Compass Sport.

The Sportage Hybrid’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Compass Sport doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The Sportage Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Compass doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sportage Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Compass isn't recommended.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Jeep Compass by 45% during 2022.