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Kia Stonic vs Jeep Compass

What's the difference?

VS
Kia Stonic
Kia Stonic

$16,888 - $29,999

2021 price

Jeep Compass
Jeep Compass

$19,999 - $54,990

2022 price

Summary

2021 Kia Stonic
2022 Jeep Compass
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 3, 1.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
-

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
5.4L/100km (combined)

6.9L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Front seats uncomfortable on long trips
  • Hesitant transmission
  • Grim rear seat accommodation - no armrest

  • Overall drive experience
  • Badly executed driver assist systems
  • Poor value for money
2021 Kia Stonic Summary

As surely as night follows day, when there's a new Kia in a new segment, we're told we probably won't be getting it. Those lucky Europeans and then some months (this time years, as it turns out) later, we find out that actually we are getting it.

Not because Kia's Australian arm doesn't want the peculiarly named Stonic - we're still waiting for the reportedly excellent e-Niro. But when that new car is an SUV, even a tiny one, Kia can't make them fast enough. 

However, as m'colleague Tom White reported in December,  COVID stepped in. We're now in the strange position where due to a global pandemic and resulting economic calamity, a car Kia Australia thought it had to forego in return for the excellent Seltos, has in fact arrived to complete the range.

Fresh from the factory, my family scored a top-of-the-range GT-Line for a week to see what it's like in the urban rumble.

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2022 Jeep Compass Summary

The Jeep Compass is something of a unicorn among the long list of small SUVs sold in Australia. It is now the only model in either the light or small-SUV category that is available with a diesel engine.

That diesel is found under the bonnet of just one variant – the rugged Trailhawk which is also the flagship of the range.

Aside from Suzuki’s adorable Jimny light SUV, the Compass Trailhawk is the only small SUV with some off-road ability.

After going on sale in Australia in late 2017, the second-generation Compass was overhauled as part of a mid-life update in 2021. Aside from subtle styling tweaks, the biggest change was a new multimedia system.

Has Jeep done enough to lift the Compass from an also-ran to a model that buyers should consider, or was the update too little, too late?

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Kia Stonic 2022 Jeep Compass

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