2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its familiar look since its 2017 redesign. It resembled a smaller Grand Cherokee, especially with the 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass, particularly in the Trailhawk Elite specification, offered a premium feel with a new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a more conservative exterior design compared to other Hyundai models. It featured wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, giving it a distinct look. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, with its Stormy Sea paint, added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Santa Fe boasted a high-quality cabin with Nappa leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, and a spacious feel, although the black interior was somewhat monotone.

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" name, the engine lacked acceleration power, and the absence of a turbocharger was noticeable, especially at higher altitudes. The nine-speed automatic transmission was paired with the 4WD models, while FWD versions had a six-speed automatic. The drivetrain was not particularly engaging, and the automatic stop/start system was slow to react. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the Trailhawk trim provided enhanced off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivered impressive acceleration and passing power. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes. The turbocharged version provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with minimal noise and harshness. The Santa Fe's towing capacity ranged from 907 kg for the non-turbo to 1,587 kg for the turbo version.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and a redesigned dashboard with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,693 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, without a third row, offered generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the seats increased storage to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included advanced features like Remote Smart Parking Assist and a head-up display.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive than its predecessor. It included an 8.4-inch or optional 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The voice recognition system was generally effective, though it struggled with certain commands.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, offering a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The voice recognition system was mostly effective, though it occasionally required specific terminology. The Santa Fe's infotainment system was highly customizable, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance from the Trailhawk grade. However, some features required higher trims, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems had mixed performance. The Compass had not yet received updated crash test ratings.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included Highway Driving Assist. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.