2020 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and striking 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and curving LED taillights were distinctive, while the Thunder Grey Metallic paint contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior. The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, with luxurious materials and thoughtful details like the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat and a twist-action ignition knob.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, like the Grand Cherokee, was a handsome SUV available in four core trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Prices started at $22,280 for the base model and went up to $32,645 for the High Altitude upgrade. Our test vehicle, a Compass Limited with AWD, was loaded with options, bringing the total to $39,755. Despite the high price, the Compass often featured big discounts. The interior had soft-touch surfaces, premium leather, and sophisticated technology, but also some cost-cutting measures that detracted from the overall experience. The Compass was a significant improvement over its predecessor, but still had room for refinement.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6, with a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the Polestar tune boosted it to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite these numbers, the XC90 wasn't a rocket ship, with mid-range acceleration being decent but not exceptional. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but the added weight negated the speed benefits, and the fuel economy wasn't significantly better.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. However, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal was sensitive. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system initialized faster and responded more quickly than previous models. The system was well-organized, though some functions were buried in menus. The XC90 offered seven seats as standard, with an integrated booster cushion for young children in the second row. Six-seat configurations were available on certain trims. The first and second rows provided generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and best suited for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, and sightlines from the driver's seat were excellent.

The 2020 Jeep Compass test vehicle featured the new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer housing took up some cargo space. Interior storage was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options. Volvo needed to improve the digital screen and show individual tire pressures in the TPMS sensors.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive and featured appealing graphics, though some functions were buried in menus. The voice recognition system worked well with natural requests, but navigation required specific prompts. The test vehicle also had a navigation system and an Alpine premium audio system, delivering decent sound quality for the segment.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system.

The 2020 Jeep Compass extended its driving assistance and collision avoidance technology to the base Sport trim level. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. The systems performed to average expectations, with some overreacting and others being too insistent. The Compass earned Good ratings in IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance, and received mixed ratings from the NHTSA.