Jeep Compass vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid emerged as a bold departure from its predecessors, showcasing a striking new design that was both longer and wider. Its sharp, angular lines and dramatic grille, which seamlessly integrated with the LED lighting, set it apart from the crowd. The Tucson's exterior was a gamble, with its aggressive styling potentially polarizing opinions. However, it was undeniably distinctive, ensuring that no one would mistake it for the previous model. Inside, the Tucson offered a spacious and airy cabin, with a nearly unobstructed view thanks to the integrated infotainment display and hoodless driver information display. The interior was equipped with standard heated front seats and cloth upholstery, with higher trims adding luxurious features like leather-wrapped steering wheels and ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a more refined and upscale design, moving away from the rugged Jeep aesthetic. It shared its design language with the larger Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models, offering a sophisticated look. The Compass featured new wheel designs for the Sport and North models, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. Inside, the Compass provided a comfortable environment for adults in both rows, with standard cloth upholstery and available leather seats on higher trims. The Limited trim, in particular, exuded a sense of luxury with its two-tone cabin and premium materials. Despite its narrow build, the Compass managed to offer decent comfort and interior space, making it a practical choice for small SUV buyers.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its performance, particularly when compared to its gas-powered counterpart. The hybrid model featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided a noticeably quicker and more responsive driving experience. The Tucson Hybrid's six-speed automatic transmission handled shifts smoothly, and its suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections while maintaining stability through corners. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the hybrid achieving 6.4 L/100 km combined, a significant improvement over the gas model. For those seeking even greater efficiency, the plug-in hybrid variant offered an impressive 2.9 Le/100 km with 53 kilometres of all-electric range.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, received a much-needed powertrain upgrade with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, transformed the Compass into a more capable and enjoyable vehicle to drive. The turbo engine's peak torque was available across a broad rev range, providing ample power for various driving conditions. While the Compass's fuel economy improved to 8.8 L/100 km combined, it still fell short of the Tucson Hybrid's efficiency. The Trailhawk version of the Compass excelled off-road, thanks to its advanced AWD system, lifted suspension, and off-road-specific features, making it a solid choice for adventure enthusiasts.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 1,097 litres in the trunk and 2,108 litres with the rear seats folded down. This made it one of the most spacious options in its class, surpassing competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. The Tucson's interior provided excellent front and rear legroom, and the rear seats could recline for added comfort. The dual-level cargo floor allowed for flexible storage options, and the cabin featured numerous storage compartments and cupholders for convenience.

In comparison, the 2023 Jeep Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,693 litres with the seats folded down. While not as spacious as the Tucson, the Compass offered a competitive amount of storage for a small SUV. The interior was designed for comfort, with available features like an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Compass's narrow build made it easy to manoeuvre, and the rear seat offered adequate space for adults, although legroom was slightly limited.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which looked impressive but had limitations when using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, as it only utilized about 8 inches of the screen. The system required a wired connection for these features, while lower trims offered wireless connectivity. The touch-capacitive buttons for infotainment and HVAC controls were less user-friendly than physical buttons, but steering-wheel controls provided an alternative. The Tucson also offered multiple USB ports and a premium Bose audio system on higher trims.

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, along with Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The system received over-the-air updates and offered features like SiriusXM satellite radio and Alexa Built-in. Higher trims included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, and a parking assist system. The Compass's technology package was comprehensive, providing a seamless and connected driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid boasted a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added features like blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate trim offered advanced features such as a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, and a blind-spot view monitor. The Tucson received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced new safety features, including a drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. While the Compass had not yet been fully tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, it previously received a Top Safety Pick rating, although it was ineligible for the updated accolade until further testing was completed.