2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite its exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its familiar look since its last redesign in 2017. It resembled a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee, with our test vehicle featuring attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its premium SUV appeal. The lineup offered various trims, with prices ranging from $29,495 to $42,795, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, presenting a stately midsize SUV just shy of 5 metres long. Our Prestige trim tester featured 22-inch alloy wheels and a matte Brunswick Green paint job, adding to its elegance. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats, metal and matte wood trim, and a unique two-spoke steering wheel created a luxurious atmosphere. The centre console housed three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the spacious interior offered a comfortable and refined experience.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" moniker, the engine lacked acceleration prowess, and a turbocharger would have improved its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with the 4WD system, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass Trailhawk Elite, with its 20.6 cm ground clearance and Jeep Active Drive AWD system, offered decent off-road capability, but the driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2023 Genesis GV80, on the other hand, came standard with AWD and offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6. Our tester featured the latter, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. While not the quickest in its class, the GV80 excelled in highway driving, with smooth power delivery and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted to road conditions. The active noise cancellation further enhanced the quiet and comfortable ride, making it an excellent choice for long commutes.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned on the smaller end of the compact SUV spectrum, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The redesigned dashboard housed the Uconnect 5 infotainment screen, and the centre console provided increased storage. The Compass boasted a cargo capacity of 770 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,693 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Genesis GV80, with its luxurious features, offered heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Ergo driver's seat provided fatigue-reducing adjustments, while the Nappa leather seats added to the sumptuous interior. The GV80's cargo space was impressive, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded. The SUV also had a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for those needing extra utility.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.1-inch option on higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a range of connected services. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in filtering search results. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not the easiest to use.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial offered a tactile experience, albeit with a learning curve. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. The GV80 also featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside, adding a touch of convenience to its technological offerings.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features for 2022, with forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring available from the Trailhawk grade. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked as expected, though the lane-keep assist was overly insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives, and the NHTSA rollover resistance rating remained at three stars.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including Hyundai Motor Group's Blind-Spot View Monitor system. The Highway Drive Assist provided hands-on/eyes-up driving aid, though it struggled in bright sunlight. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, with Superior front crash prevention scores.