2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and rectangular grille, but introduced softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90 was built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture, shared with other models in the "90" and "60" series, and its interior embodied "Swedish minimalism" with high-quality materials and thoughtful design, including options like wool upholstery and a crystal shifter.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving exterior updates and new wheel designs, maintained a familiar look reminiscent of a smaller Grand Cherokee. The test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark finish, enhancing its upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite impressed with a new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, elevating its premium SUV credentials. The Trailhawk Elite was the most expensive trim, with a lineup starting from the base Sport trim and progressing through various models. The Compass was built in Toluca, Mexico, and offered a range of features, including a Sun and Sound option package, contributing to its sophisticated feel.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. All models in Canada came with all-wheel drive. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, though it fell short of some competitors like the Lincoln Aviator.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for models with four-wheel drive, while front-wheel-drive models had a six-speed automatic. The Compass's powertrain was criticized for its lack of forced induction and noisy operation at high revs. The transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, resulting in a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with multiple driving modes and an Active Drive AWD system. It had a ground clearance of 20.6 centimetres, making it suitable for light off-roading. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a low range and hill descent control. Despite improvements in quietness, the Compass's driving dynamics needed refinement.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with options for second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The XC90 featured a power sunroof, four-zone climate control, and a filtration system for air quality. The Inscription trim offered 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with all seats down. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, offered enough space for four adults and their luggage. The Trailhawk Elite trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The interior boasted a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a redesigned dashboard with a new infotainment screen, and improved perceived quality. The centre console offered increased storage, though the bin beneath the armrest remained small. The Compass provided 770 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres with the back seat folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display as options. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text and typeface could be challenging to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was limited in size, and only second-row USB-C ports were available.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster than its predecessor. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch option on higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth for two devices. It offered over-the-air updates, a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was effective, though it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not the easiest to use.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance available from the Trailhawk grade. Highway Assist was expected later in the model year. The Compass had some issues with false positives in its safety systems. As of the review, crash test results for the updated model were not available, but previous ratings indicated areas for improvement.