2019 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2019 Volvo XC40 stood out with its distinctive styling, reminiscent of its larger sibling, the XC90. It adopted an upright appearance that was noticeably different from other subcompact SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and BMW X2, which often took a more hatchback-like approach. This upright design of the XC40 provided an elevated driving position and ample head- and legroom.

The XC40 was available in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. Our experience was with the base Momentum trim, which was impressively well-equipped. Standard features included 18-inch wheels, bright aluminum roof rails, and striking LED headlights with the “Thor’s Hammer” design. Inside, it featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and doors, and a 9-inch Sensus touchscreen infotainment display.

The R-Design trim added a sportier aesthetic with a unique front grille, a black roof, and dual tailpipes. The Inscription trim topped the range with exclusive badging, a massive panoramic sunroof, driftwood inlays, and an Orrefors crystal gearshift knob.

Our test model came with the Premium Package, enhancing it with a wireless charging pad, Volvo’s Pilot Assist system, dual-zone climate control, power-folding rear seats and headrests, and heated windshield wiper nozzles.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Compass fell into two distinct categories typical of the brand: rugged and refined. It drew inspiration from the Grand Cherokee with its upscale styling. Jeep offered it in four main trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special editions to customize further.

Prices began at $22,280 for the Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while the fully loaded High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited, with all-wheel drive, started at $32,645. Our test vehicle was a Compass Limited with AWD, equipped with almost every available option, totaling $39,755.

Despite its premium features, our test vehicle notably lacked the optional 19-inch wheels, likely to keep it below the $40,000 mark. Jeep’s generous discounts and appealing upgrades helped justify its price premium, but instances of cost-cutting measures like glossy plastics and flimsy-feeling parts were noticeable and slightly disappointing.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 was equipped across all trims with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, delivering 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission, which was operated via Volvo’s unique, albeit somewhat confusing, shifter design.

On the road, the XC40 offered brisk acceleration, well-balanced steering, and a responsive nature. Its suspension provided a mix of comfort and sportiness, though there was noticeable body roll in turns. The Drive Mode button offered modes like Comfort, Eco, Dynamic, Off-Road, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience.

We frequently opted for Dynamic mode, which enhanced acceleration, added weight to the steering, and provided a more aggressive exhaust note. The XC40’s fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined, though our observation was slightly lower at 21 mpg.

On the other hand, the 2020 Jeep Compass utilized a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known by the name Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite its name, the engine didn’t offer a predatory performance and was noted to be loud, slow, and fuel-thirsty, with an observed mileage of 23.1 mpg against an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined.

The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, with an automatic stop/start system that could be deactivated but sometimes led to uncomfortable cabin conditions. The Compass’s suspension managed body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness, while the steering was heavy and vague.

Though not offering an engaging drive on pavement, the Compass showed its strength in off-road conditions, notably in the Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system. Our Compass Limited test vehicle performed adequately on trails, though lacking the more advanced off-road features.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 excelled in making efficient use of its space. Its upright design provided ample front-seat head- and legroom, though the steering wheel could have benefited from extending further. Practical features like a removable trash bin in the center console and wireless charging pad added to its daily usability.

The backseat offered surprising legroom and additional small trays for passenger items. The hands-free power liftgate worked efficiently, revealing a decent load floor with underfloor storage and clever organizational features. The cargo space totaled 57.5 cubic feet with the rear seats down, just a cubic foot shy of the BMW X1.

The 2020 Jeep Compass also featured thoughtful interior updates, particularly with the optional Luxury Seat Group in our test vehicle, which added premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and memory settings for the driver.

Rear seat accommodations were spacious, complete with air conditioning vents, a USB port, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with them folded, which was more than the Jeep Renegade and Cherokee.

However, interior storage was limited, with awkwardly positioned cupholders that could be frustrating for those carrying numerous personal items.

The 2019 Volvo XC40 featured a prominent 9-inch Sensus touchscreen at the center of the dash, inspired by Tesla’s portrait orientation. Volvo integrated almost all controls into the touchscreen, with hard buttons reserved for essential functions like the defroster and volume.

Sensus required some familiarity but offered intuitive use via large font bands and a home button for easy navigation. Despite minor grievances like the multi-step process for heated seat controls, the system worked seamlessly once set up. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were highlights, and our test model’s Multimedia Package added a navigation system and a premier Harman Kardon sound system.

The 2020 Jeep Compass boasted the available Uconnect infotainment system, which was praised for its intuitive design and functionality. The 8.4-inch touchscreen featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity, along with SiriusXM Guardian services.

Our test vehicle included navigation and an Alpine premium audio system, delivering reasonable sound quality. While some features like heated seat controls were embedded into the menus, Uconnect's primary stereo and climate controls were conveniently separated as physical buttons.

Uconnect’s voice recognition was noted for its efficiency, with more specific prompts needed for navigation.

Safety was intrinsic to Volvo’s identity, and the 2019 XC40 came standard with numerous safety features, including a full suite of airbags, City Safe automatic braking, a whiplash protection system, and rear-collision warning. As expected, our test model included the optional Vision Package with blind-spot detection, cross-traffic alert, and Pilot Assist—a semi-autonomous driving system.

An Advanced Package added a 360-degree camera and adaptive headlights, but the XC40's design introduced safety concerns like significant blind spots from the massive C-pillars and a confusing shifter design, undermining its safety edge.

The 2020 Jeep Compass expanded its safety technology to even the base trim with optional Safety and Security and Advanced Safety Groups. These packages included features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

While these systems performed adequately, the adaptive cruise control tended to overreact, and the lane-keeping assist was sometimes overly corrective. The Compass earned mixed ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, indicating room for improvement in some areas.