2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Jeep Compass

The 2023 Volvo XC40 maintained its distinctive and clean design, characterized by a flat-roofed profile and minimal extraneous detailing. Updates for the year included a new pixelated design for the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a more angular front bumper, and fresh wheel designs. The XC40 Recharge was easily identifiable with its new sealed-off grille. Inside, the XC40 continued with its minimalist design, featuring thin air vents, scalloped door elements, and standard dual-zone automatic climate control. The interior, while well-finished, reminded testers of its entry-level status, especially with the all-black design of the Ultimate test vehicle.

The 2023 Jeep Compass embraced a refined and upscale look, moving away from the rugged design ethos. It shared design elements with larger Jeep models like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. The Compass Sport and North models received new 17-inch wheel designs, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Limited test vehicle, with its Granite Crystal paint and 19-inch wheels, resembled a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents exuded a sense of luxury, enhanced by sophisticated digital displays and metallic trim.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator. The B5 models in Canada were equipped with a 2.0-litre turbo-four-cylinder engine, producing 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC40 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, offering a refined driving experience with smooth power delivery. The XC40 Recharge, with its two electric motors, delivered 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 359-kilometre range and a towing capacity of 2,000 kg.

The 2023 Jeep Compass received a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 rpm to 4,250 rpm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard Jeep Active Drive AWD system. The Compass Trailhawk featured a more advanced AWD system with a low range and a 20:1 crawl ratio. The new turbo engine transformed the Compass's performance, making it more responsive and refined. However, the Compass's tall and narrow design contributed to significant body motions on uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 offered reasonable space for its class, with competitive rear-seat headroom and average legroom. It provided 566 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,328 litres with them folded. The XC40 featured good interior storage, with large door panel carve-outs and a spacious centre console storage bin.

The 2023 Jeep Compass accommodated adults comfortably in both rows, despite its narrow design. It offered 770 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 1,693 litres with the rear seats folded. The Compass featured an air filtration system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and available leather upholstery. Interior storage was adequate, though the centre armrest bin was small.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 featured an Android-based infotainment system with Google apps, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 9-inch touchscreen. The B5 Ultimate test vehicle included a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system's graphics were pleasing, but the lack of analog controls made some functions less intuitive.

The 2023 Jeep Compass came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited test vehicle included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The system was responsive, though the audio was slightly bass-heavy.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The XC40 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS, though it dropped to an "Acceptable" rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and a rear-seat reminder. It featured standard ADAS, including forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Compass's adaptive cruise control was not as smooth as expected. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2023 Compass, and the IIHS results were incomplete.