2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's current lineup. Signature design elements such as the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille contributed to its familial appearance. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these distinctions, the Recharge maintained a low-key electric vehicle presence, appealing to those who preferred subtlety. The interior boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and premium feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass retained much of its previous design, reminiscent of a compact Grand Cherokee. The exterior updates included new wheel designs, with our test vehicle featuring 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that enhanced its upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite specification elevated its premium SUV status with a redesigned dashboard, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The cabin improvements, including added sound deadening, soft-touch surfaces, and a sophisticated infotainment system, significantly enhanced the Compass's appeal. The Trailhawk Elite, the most expensive version, offered a range of trims and prices, starting from the base Sport trim to the top-tier Trailhawk Elite, with a notable MSRP for the fully equipped model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline variants featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasting dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. A 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided electricity, with a usable capacity of 75 kWh. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 achieved the same in 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All models were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its "Tigershark" moniker, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs, and a turbocharger would have improved its performance, especially at higher altitudes. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, except for front-wheel-drive models, which had a six-speed automatic. The transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, resulting in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard drivetrain engagement. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Active Drive AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a low range, hill descent control, and increased ground clearance. However, the driving dynamics needed improvement, with a bouncy ride on uneven surfaces and challenges with speed bumps.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in its Recharge and gasoline variants, offered no difference in passenger or cargo space. However, it was not particularly spacious, with less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size due to powertrain components. Despite these limitations, Volvo incorporated clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned among Jeep's similarly sized SUVs, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Compass Trailhawk Elite, with its 2022 upgrades, convincingly played the role of a premium-brand SUV. The front seats provided 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, while the rear seats were heated. The cabin featured a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a redesigned soft-touch dashboard, and a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen. The centre console offered increased storage, though the bin beneath the armrest remained small. The cargo area, accessible via a hands-free power liftgate, could hold 770 litres behind the rear seat and up to 1,693 litres with the back seat folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. This system allowed Android phone users to sync their Google accounts for customization. The setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. The Recharge model also offered over-the-air update capability, covering the infotainment system and other software-controlled vehicle functions. Notably, the Recharge lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob present.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than its predecessor. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch option available on higher trims. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates ensured the system remained current. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn't as user-friendly as the best technology in the industry.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for its gasoline models. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more included from the Trailhawk grade. Highway Assist was set to be added later in the model year in the U.S., pairing adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera were also available. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems mostly worked as advertised, there were some issues with false positives and hard braking. As of the review, crash test results for the updated Compass were not available, but the previous rollover resistance rating was carried over.