2023 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from Volvo's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards a more upscale, luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the brand underwent a transformation, developing new vehicle platforms like the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) that underpinned the XC90. The SUV's design featured a sleek roofline, pronounced wheel arches, and a distinctive "Thor's Hammer" LED headlight detail, all contributing to its athletic and luxurious appearance. Inside, the XC90 boasted a "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" interior, with natural wood and metal trim, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery, offering a sophisticated and comfortable environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass adopted a more refined and upscale design ethos, moving away from the rugged Jeep aesthetic. The Compass shared design elements with larger Jeep models like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, featuring new wheel designs and special edition color options. The interior of the Compass was designed to accommodate adults comfortably in both rows, with options for leather upholstery and advanced climate control systems. The Limited trim, in particular, offered a luxurious feel with its two-tone cabin, digital displays, and metallic trim, though some hard plastic elements detracted from the overall luxury impression. Despite its upscale aspirations, the Compass's pricing placed it in a competitive position within the small SUV segment.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered a range of powertrains, including the T5, T6, and T8 models. The T5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The T6 model increased output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, exclusively in AWD. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The XC90's driving experience was characterized by minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, particularly in the T8 Inscription extended range model, which offered an electric range of up to 36 miles and a combined fuel economy rating of 66 MPGe.

The 2023 Jeep Compass introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard Jeep Active Drive AWD system, offering improved performance over previous models. The Compass Trailhawk variant featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a 20:1 crawl ratio, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite the improvements, the Compass's engine was tuned for fuel economy, achieving an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded slightly lower results. The Compass's driving experience was significantly improved, with better acceleration and handling, though it still exhibited some body motion on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered flexible seating configurations for six or seven passengers, with easy access to the third row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults would find it lacking in legroom and support. The XC90 provided ample cargo space, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded. It also offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with numerous storage options and a standard panoramic moonroof enhancing the cabin's airy feel. The XC90's air-conditioning system performed well even in extreme heat, ensuring a comfortable environment for occupants.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults comfortably in both rows, despite its narrow design. The interior featured standard cloth upholstery, with options for leather and premium leather on higher trims. The Compass offered an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, depending on the trim. Interior storage was adequate, though the center armrest bin was small. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The adjustable load floor allowed for additional storage flexibility, and the front passenger seat could fold to accommodate longer items.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen, offering tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, the system was occasionally glitchy and slow, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The XC90 included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display for enhanced driver awareness. The standard Harman Kardon sound system could be upgraded to a Bowers & Wilkins system for superior audio quality. The XC90 also offered multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a smartphone app for remote vehicle control.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM services. The system allowed for Bluetooth pairing of two devices and received OTA updates. Depending on the trim, the Compass could include a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, navigation, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Limited trim featured Alexa Built-in, which performed well in testing. The Compass also offered a parking assist system and a surround-view camera, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping aid. Volvo's Pilot Assist system provided semi-autonomous driving assistance on highways. The XC90 received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, underscoring its commitment to safety.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added new safety features, such as drowsy driver detection and a rear-seat reminder. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. While the Compass had not yet received NHTSA ratings, it previously earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, though updated testing was pending.