2023 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models, yet it remained an attractive SUV. Its styling was characterized by wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, which gave it a distinctive look. The interior of the Santa Fe, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, featured a high-quality, albeit dark, black leather finish. The Nappa leather seats were both comfortable and visually appealing, with heated and cooled front seats as standard. The second row also offered seat heaters, making it a comfortable ride in varying weather conditions.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a more refined and upscale design ethos, moving away from the rugged Jeep look. The Compass Limited trim, with its Granite Crystal paint and multi-spoke 19-inch wheels, resembled a smaller Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents exuded a sense of luxury, enhanced by sophisticated digital displays and metallic trim. However, the as-tested price of the Compass Limited was considered steep, especially when compared to other options in the small SUV segment.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and the dual-clutch transmission operated without the typical low-speed clunkiness. The turbocharged Santa Fe could tow up to 1,587 kg (3,500 pounds) with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD system, transformed the Compass's performance. The turbo engine's peak torque was available across a broad rev range, making the Compass more responsive. However, the engine wasn't as powerful as it could be, prioritizing fuel economy and regular fuel requirements. The Compass Trailhawk version offered enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a low-range AWD system, skid plates, and a 20:1 crawl ratio. Despite these improvements, the Compass's AWD system was slow to engage, and the vehicle exhibited significant body motions on uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided ample rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured standard dual-zone climate control, rear window sunshades, and a hands-free smart liftgate in higher trims. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included advanced features like Remote Smart Parking Assist and a head-up display. However, the wide centre console limited driver leg and hip space, and the driver's seat height adjustment could push occupants uncomfortably close to the steering wheel.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for a small SUV, accommodating adults in both rows. The Compass featured an air filtration system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a dual-pane sunroof. Higher trims offered leather seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a heated steering wheel. The Compass's rear seat provided adequate space for adults, with generous foot room and supportive seat cushions. Cargo space was competitive, with 770 litres behind the back seat and 1,693 litres with the rear seat folded. However, the centre console's hard plastic edge was uncomfortable for the driver's leg, and the interior storage space was limited.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, featuring 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 infotainment system offered extensive customization options, though voice recognition capabilities were mixed. The Santa Fe's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) included features like forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. The system supported over-the-air updates and offered an Alexa Built-in digital assistant. The Compass's parking assist system and surround-view camera were useful features, though the vehicle's small size made the parking assist less necessary.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder system. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the lane-keeping assist was sometimes intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control lacked smoothness. The Compass had not yet received crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, and the IIHS had incomplete test results for the 2023 model.