2023 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior, characterized by its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV, measuring just under 5 metres in length, exuded a stately presence. In Canada, the standard 20-inch wheels were upgraded to 22-inch alloy wheels in the Prestige trim. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts. Despite its boxy hands-free liftgate, the GV80 maintained an elegant appearance, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim, while the centre console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch, although the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a refined design ethos, moving away from ruggedness. It shared design elements with the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families. The Compass Sport and North models introduced a new 17-inch wheel design, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. In Canada, the Compass was available in seven trim levels, with the Trailhawk trims being ideal for off-road adventures. The Limited trim test vehicle, priced at $54,775, featured Granite Crystal paint and multi-spoke 19-inch wheels, resembling a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents offered a sophisticated feel, enhanced by digital displays and metallic trim. However, the high price tag made it less appealing compared to other options in the small SUV segment.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered two engine choices: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly athletic or quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach 100 km/h, it excelled in highway driving. The power delivery and shifts were smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive all-wheel-drive system, the Compass offered improved performance. The Trailhawk version featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a low range and a 20:1 crawl ratio, making it suitable for off-road adventures. While the new turbo engine transformed the Compass from gutless to gutsy, it wasn't as powerful as it could be, prioritizing fuel economy. The Compass averaged 9.9 L/100 km in various driving conditions, and while it wasn't particularly fun to drive, it handled well on highways and off-road trails.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a plethora of luxury features. In Canada, it came standard with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors. The tester featured ventilated front and rear seats, an Ergo driver's seat, and sumptuous Nappa leather upholstery. While a third row was available, it offered limited legroom, making it suitable only for children. The GV80 boasted a spacious interior with a tri-zone climate control system and a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system. It also offered ample cargo space, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded down. The towing capacity was 2,720 kilograms.

The 2023 Jeep Compass provided a comfortable interior for adults in both rows, despite its narrow design. Standard features included an air filtration system and a humidity-sensing dual-zone automatic climate control system. Higher trims offered leather seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Limited trim test vehicle featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and comfortable seating positions. The rear seat offered adequate space for adults, with generous foot room and supportive seat cushions. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded down. Some models featured a foot-activated power liftgate for easy access.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster and a standard head-up display. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial control offered a tactile experience. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. Additional features included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a remote smart parking assist system, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and over-the-air updates. Depending on the trim, the system could be paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, embedded navigation, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, and Alexa Built-in digital assistant. The Limited test vehicle featured all these technologies, with the Alexa Built-in proving responsive and accurate. The Alpine audio system offered good sound quality, though slightly bass-heavy. The Compass also had a parking assist system and a surround-view camera for added convenience.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the car's blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. The Highway Drive Assist system used cameras, radar, and navigation to offer hands-on/eyes-up driving assistance. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims. The lane-keeping inputs were sometimes too noticeable, and the adaptive cruise control wasn't always smooth. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2023 Compass, and the IIHS had incomplete test results, making it ineligible for a Top Safety Pick rating.