2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a distinct rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. 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.

The 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar look since its 2017 redesign, resembling a compact Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, enhancing its upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and infotainment systems. Soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening elevated its sophistication. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, offered a premium experience with features like all-wheel drive and comprehensive option packages, resulting in a well-rounded and luxurious compact SUV.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its “Tigershark” name, the engine lacked acceleration prowess. A turbocharger would have enhanced its performance, especially for mountain adventures. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with AWD, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The EPA estimated 25 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing averaged 23.8 mpg. The Compass offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance, suitable for light off-roading, with the Trailhawk trim providing enhanced capabilities.

Volvo claimed no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline XC40 models. However, the XC40 Recharge had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its cargo area was also smaller, with a limited frunk due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the center 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 offered spaciousness for four adults and their luggage, though it didn’t provide much extra room. The High Altitude trim enhanced its premium feel with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Elite Interior Group option package added premium leather upholstery and contrast stitching. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a redesigned dashboard with a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen elevated the interior’s sophistication. The center console offered increased storage, and the cargo area provided 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, incorporating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It allowed Android phone users to sync their Google accounts for customization. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model introduced OTA update capability, covering the infotainment system and other software-controlled vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present. The Polestar 2’s Digital Key feature was anticipated, but not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, boasting five times faster loading and response times. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch option available. Uconnect 5 supported dual Bluetooth device pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa skill, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates ensured system freshness. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system was an upgrade option. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it occasionally struggled with specific requests.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge had not been rated, but Volvo expected strong performance due to a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features encompassed traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more as standard. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was set to be added later. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera were available. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems generally performed well, though the lane-keep assist was overly insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending, but the previous rollover resistance rating was three stars.