What is the best year for a Jeep Compass?

The 2023-2025 window is the cleanest in the Compass's history — 2023 (45 complaints), 2024 (47), 2025 (18, 8/10 safety, 4 severe). Avoid 2014 (306 complaints, 25 severe) and 2019 (319 complaints, 12 severe), which coincide with documented early-generation issues. For used buying, 2023 or 2025 is the safest pick.

How much does Jeep Compass insurance cost?

Compass insurance averages around $2,011/year, or about $168/month.

Is the Jeep Compass or Ford Bronco Sport cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance cost data isn't available for the Ford Bronco Sport, so a direct comparison isn't possible. The Compass's $526/year and 25% repair frequency are solid benchmarks within the compact class.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Compass?

Major repair probability at the class average and repair frequency below it — no strong case for extended warranty on 2023+ models. For 2014 and 2019 models purchased used, documented complaint spikes in those years make coverage worth considering.

Is the Kia Sportage expensive to maintain?

The Sportage averages $462/year in maintenance — $59 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 19% is well below the class average of 30% — owners visit for unscheduled repairs far less often than most rivals. Major repair probability of 11% is at the class average. Low cost and low visit frequency make it a strong ownership value.

What is the best year for a Kia Sportage?

The 2022 Sportage (42 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety, 6 severe) is the standout used pick — the mature end of the fourth generation before the 2023 redesign. The new fifth-generation launch in 2023 had 177 complaints but settled quickly to 62 in 2024 and 46 in 2025. Avoid 2012-2013 and 2017, which saw complaint spikes tied to the Theta II engine recall era.

How much does Kia Sportage insurance cost?

Sportage insurance averages around $1,997/year, or about $166/month.

Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $33/year cheaper — $429 versus $462 for the Sportage. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Sportage's repair frequency of 19% is significantly lower than the RAV4's 26%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits despite the slightly higher annual maintenance figure.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sportage?

Major repair probability of 11% at the class average, repair frequency well below it. Low-risk ownership. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted for 2021+ models. For 2012-2013 and 2017 used models with documented engine recall history, coverage is worth taking seriously.

Jeep Compass vs Kia Sportage

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Kia Sportage to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Kia Sportage if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Jeep Compass	Kia Sportage
Annual maintenance	$526	$462winner
5-year total cost	$2,630	$2,310winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%	11%
Cargo space	—	73.7 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$29,550winner	$30,900
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Jeep Compass	Kia Sportage
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	182.8	176.6winner
Years to avoid	2019, 2022, 2025	2010, 2012, 2013
Value retained · 3 yr	68%	75.7%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	56.9%winner	56.8%
Value retained · 7 yr	50.4%winner	45%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Jeep Compass	Kia Sportage
Engine	26.2%winner	55.6%
Electrical	11.8%	6.1%winner
ADAS	12.8%	5.8%winner
Brakes	3.1%winner	8.5%
Suspension	2.7%	—winner
Steering	2.9%	1.5%winner
Fuel system	4.2%	1.1%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.4%	0.5%winner
Glass/Windows	—winner	2.7%
Airbags	11.7%	2.5%winner
Lighting	2.3%	1.0%winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Jeep Compass	Kia Sportage
Avg annual premium	$2,011	$1,997winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Jeep Compass

$526/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Kia Sportage

$462/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Compass costs $526/year to maintain — $5 above the compact segment average of $521, a negligible difference. Repair frequency of 25% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% both sit at segment averages. A squarely average ownership cost with slightly better-than-average repair frequency.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →