2021 Jeep Compass vs. 2021 Kia Seltos
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Jeep Compass and 2021 Kia Seltos contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Jeep Compass and the 2021 Kia Seltos.
When we compare the 2021 Jeep Compass's and the 2021 Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Jeep Compass has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. The 2021 Kia Seltos has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Jeep Compass's and the 2021 Kia Seltos's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2021 Jeep Compass ranges from $18,264 to $25,728 while a used 2021 Kia Seltos is priced between $17,714 to $24,995.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Jeep Compass loses 36.5 percent of its value and the 2021 Kia Seltos loses 37.3 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Jeep Compass retains 0.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Kia Seltos.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2021 Jeep Compass’s base engine makes 180 horsepower, and the 2021 Kia Seltos base engine makes 146 horsepower. The Compass is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 419 miles. The Seltos is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. This gives the 2021 Kia Seltos the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2021 Jeep Compass. Both models use regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2021 Jeep Compass and the 2021 Kia Seltos have the same average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,095
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$22,058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$18,750 - $29,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$21,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$22,058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$18,750 - $29,100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,638
Price Range:
$18,264 - $25,728
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$21,068
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$17,501 - $28,440
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,380
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
53,618
# Good or Great Deals:
539
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,269
Price Range:
$17,714 - $24,995
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$21,068
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$17,501 - $28,440
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
609
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55,254
# Good or Great Deals:
275
Jeep Compass Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Kia Seltos Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Jeep Compass
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.3 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Kia Seltos
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.3 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.5 - 10
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.5 - 10
Jeep Compass Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 16Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 59Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 30Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
39 out of / 67Ranking
40 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Ranking
56 out of / 67Ranking
58 out of / 67Kia Seltos Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 16Ranking
8 out of / 59Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
59 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2021 Jeep Compass Trim Levels
80th Anniversary Edition, Altitude, Freedom, Latitude, Limited, Sport, Trailhawk
2021 Kia Seltos Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, S Turbo, SX Turbo
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
175 foot-lbs @ 3900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
146 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 31 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
297 / 419 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 34 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
27.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
59.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
126.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Cargo Space:
26.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3184 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
64.6 inches
Length:
173 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2948 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
64.2 inches
Length:
172 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted steel
Tire Size:
215/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Blue
Jazz Blue Pearl Coat / Laser Blue Pearl Coat
Gray
Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat
Green
Olive Green Pearl Coat
Orange
Spitfire Orange Clear Coat
Red
Redline Pearl Coat / Velvet Red Pearl Coat
Silver
Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat
White
White Clear Coat
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Cherry Black
Blue
Dark Ocean/Clear White Roof / Neptune Blue
Gray
Gravity Gray / Steel Gray
Green
Not available
Orange
Mars Orange
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Clear White/Black Roof / Snow White Pearl
Yellow
Starbright Yellow/Black Roof
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/Blue Stitching
