2025 Jeep Compass vs 2026 Kia Sportage

$26,900 · Crossover

$28,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Jeep Compass bursts onto the scene with a commanding 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, leveraging its standard four-wheel drive for genuine off-pavement confidence, despite sipping fuel at a 27 MPG combined rating. In stark contrast, the 2026 Kia Sportage prioritizes urban efficiency and space, offering a more compact 187 horsepower and slightly better 28 MPG combined, though it comes standard with front-wheel drive. The Sportage clearly outmuscles the Compass in utility, boasting a cavernous 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Jeep's 27.2 cubic feet. While the Jeep starts slightly cheaper at an MSRP of $26,900 versus the Kia's $28,690, the difference in raw power delivery and standard capability sets these two crossovers on very different paths for the modern driver.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 33 MPG highway versus the Jeep's 32 MPG highway, making daily driving slightly cheaper.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage

The 2026 Kia Sportage is the clear family choice, offering a massive 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Jeep Compass's 27.2 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Jeep Compass

Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Jeep Compass for its superior power output of 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with standard four-wheel drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass presents better immediate value, starting at an MSRP of $26,900 while offering a more potent powertrain.

Choose the Jeep Compass if...

You require four-wheel drive capability standard for handling varied weather conditions or light trails.
You prioritize maximum performance, benefiting from the 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.
Your budget is tight, as the Jeep Compass has a lower starting MSRP of $26,900.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

Hauling gear is a priority, given the Sportage's expansive 39.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You want marginally better highway cruising economy, rated at 33 MPG.
You prefer a slightly longer vehicle profile (184.4 inches) for potential rear passenger comfort.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Jeep Compass	Kia Sportage
Length	173.4"	184.4"
Width	73.8"	73.4"
Height	64.6"	65.4"
Wheelbase	103.8"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	200 hp @ 5000 rpm	187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	221 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	four wheel drive	front wheel drive
4WD System Type	On Demand	—
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/32 MPG	25/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	324.0/432.0 mi.	357.5/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.5 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.4 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Jeep	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	2	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Front Head Room	39.2 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.8 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.7 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.1 in.	54.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Folding Capability	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.3 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.1 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	49.2 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/60R17	235/65R17
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Jeep	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Jeep Compass and 2026 Kia Sportage.

Which crossover is better equipped for bad weather driving right off the lot?

The 2025 Jeep Compass is better equipped, as it includes standard four-wheel drive, offering enhanced traction in snow or slick conditions. The 2026 Kia Sportage comes standard with front-wheel drive, which is generally sufficient but less capable in severe conditions.

How significant is the cargo space difference between these two vehicles?

The difference is substantial; the 2026 Kia Sportage offers 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is over 12 cubic feet more than the 2025 Jeep Compass's 27.2 cubic feet. This makes the Sportage much more practical for large grocery runs or packing for road trips.

Is the lower horsepower in the Sportage noticeable compared to the Compass?

Yes, the Jeep Compass has a clear advantage with 200 horsepower versus the Sportage’s 187 horsepower, along with notably higher torque at 221 lb-ft compared to 178 lb-ft. This means the Compass will likely feel punchier when accelerating onto highways.

How does the base price and fuel requirement compare?

The Jeep Compass has a lower entry MSRP at $26,900, while the Sportage is priced at $28,690. Both vehicles conveniently use regular unleaded fuel, so fueling costs based on fuel type are identical.

Which crossover is physically larger in overall dimensions?

The 2026 Kia Sportage is longer, measuring 184.4 inches in length compared to the Compass’s 173.4 inches, making it nearly 11 inches longer overall. However, the Compass is slightly wider by 0.4 inches.

Are the automatic transmissions different between the two models?

No, based on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Jeep Compass and the 2026 Kia Sportage utilize a 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission for managing power delivery.