Compare the2024 Kia SeltosVS 2024 Jeep Compass

Both the Seltos and Compass have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX 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 Seltos 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights and blind spot warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Jeep Compass:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Seltos is safer than the Jeep Compass:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Seltos, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 3.5% to 5.3% less likely to roll over than the Compass, which received a three-star rating.

The Seltos 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 Seltos 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.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 16 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

As tested in Motor Trend the Seltos X-Line/SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Jeep Compass:

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Compass:

The Seltos has a standard locking fuel door. 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.

The Seltos has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Compass doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Seltos stops much shorter than the Compass:

The Seltos’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass Trailhawk’s standard 65 series tires.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Seltos is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Compass.

The Seltos SX handles at .84 G’s, while the Compass Sport pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Seltos S AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the Compass Trailhawk (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Seltos’ turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Compass Trailhawk’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.3 feet). The Seltos’ turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Compass 4x4 Sport/Latitude/Limited’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.3 feet).

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 700 pounds less than the Jeep Compass.

The Seltos has .8 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and 3.6 inches more rear hip room than the Compass.

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

The front step up height for the Seltos is 1.4 inches lower than the Compass (18” vs. 19.4”). The Seltos’ rear step up height is 2.9 inches lower than the Compass’ (17.8” vs. 20.7”).

The Seltos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Compass with its rear seat folded (62.8 vs. 59.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Seltos easier. The Seltos’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the Compass’ liftover is 31.1 inches.

The Seltos’ cargo area is larger than the Compass’ in almost every dimension:

Consumer Reports rated the Seltos’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Compass’ headlights, which were rated “Good.”

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

Insurance will cost less for the Seltos owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Seltos will cost $475 less than the Compass over a five-year period.

The Seltos will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Seltos will retain 57.1% to 64.07% of its original price after five years, while the Compass only retains 53.94% to 56.47%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Seltos will be $6855 to $7621 less than for the Jeep Compass.

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