Compare the2026 Kia Sportage PHEVVS 2026 Jeep Compass

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Kia Sportage PHEV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Compass doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

With its standard Auto Emergency Braking with Junction Turning, the Kia Sportage PHEV is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Jeep Compass, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Sportage PHEV	Compass
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-23 MPH	-9 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-6 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-30 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-23 MPH	-21 MPH

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Sportage PHEV achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Jeep Compass, which scored only a “Marginal” in these critical safety features.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige has standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Compass doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Sportage PHEV and Compass have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage PHEV has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Compass’ Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the Compass have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Kia Sportage PHEV weighs 595 to 687 pounds more than the Jeep Compass. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Sportage PHEV is much safer than the Compass:

	Sportage PHEV	Compass
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	213	368
Neck Injury Chance	20%	30%
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	22/292 pounds	247/315 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	22/292 pounds	247/315 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Sportage PHEV is much safer than the Compass:

	Sportage PHEV	Compass
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	121	189
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1517 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	116	202
Neck Compression	-134 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	2.13 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	491 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	14 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	937 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Kia Sportage PHEV has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Compass is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

The Sportage PHEV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Compass’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage PHEV 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Compass. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Compass ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage PHEV’s reliability 14 points higher than the Compass.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 14 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 61 more horsepower (261 vs. 200) and 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 221) than the Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Sportage PHEV is faster than the Jeep Compass:

	Sportage PHEV	Compass
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.5 sec	20.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.1 sec	7.9 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.3 sec	4.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.6 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	89 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Compass (87 city/78 hwy MPGe vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Compass (35 city/36 hwy vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

The Sportage PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 34 miles. The Compass can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Sportage PHEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Compass doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Sportage PHEV has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Compass. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Sportage PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Compass:

	Sportage PHEV	Compass
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches

The Sportage PHEV stops much shorter than the Compass:

	Sportage PHEV	Compass
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	195 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	146 feet	151 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Sportage PHEV has larger tires than the Compass (235/55R19 vs. 215/65R17).

The Sportage PHEV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Compass Trailhawk’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage PHEV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Compass Latitude.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage PHEV’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Compass (108.5 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage PHEV is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Compass.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Compass pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Compass (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Sportage PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Sportage PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Compass doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sportage PHEV has .4 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Compass.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage PHEV’s rear seats recline. The Compass’ rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Compass with its rear seat up (34.5 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Compass with its rear seat folded (65.5 vs. 59.8 cubic feet).

The Sportage PHEV’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Compass’ (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

When two different drivers share the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Compass doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Compass doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Compass doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

On a hot day the Sportage PHEV’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Compass can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Compass doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Sportage PHEV’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Compass’ headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

When the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Compass’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Kia Sportage PHEV and Jeep Compass offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Sportage PHEV offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Compass’ foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Compass doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Sportage PHEV has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Compass.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the Compass offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage PHEV has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Compass doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sportage PHEV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Compass.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Compass doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sportage PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Compass isn't recommended.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Jeep Compass by 79% during 2025.