2022 Jeep Compass vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the XC60 shared its elegant, tailored design with other Volvo models, featuring short overhangs and an agile form. The upright grille with Volvo's iron mark logo and the Thor's hammer-shaped LED headlights were distinctively Swedish. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a notable feature, and the attention to detail, such as the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained its familiar design since its 2017 redesign, resembling a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels and upscale styling. Inside, the Compass impressed with a new dashboard design, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, especially in the High Altitude trim. The cabin upgrades, including soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening, enhanced its premium feel. The Compass lineup offered various trims, with the High Altitude being the most expensive, featuring standard all-wheel drive and numerous upgrades.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 models delivered 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 models, being plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an electric motor, achieving 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, with the Polestar Engineered variant reaching 415 horsepower. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and secure driving experience, making it an excellent choice for road trips. Fuel economy varied from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe in electric-only mode for the T8.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, produced 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its name, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with AWD, aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with various driving modes and an Active Drive AWD system. The EPA estimated 25 mpg combined, but real-world testing averaged 23.8 mpg. The Compass excelled in light off-roading with 8.1 inches of ground clearance, while the Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling harsh winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical choice for families. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. It was also rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned as a smaller compact SUV, provided enough space for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The redesigned dashboard and Uconnect 5 infotainment system improved perceived quality. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a tablet-style touchpad interface. It offered smartphone integration, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality. However, the Sensus system required a learning curve for optimal use.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was significantly faster than its predecessor. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, with over-the-air updates to keep the system current. The Compass offered a navigation system, connected services, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was generally effective, though it had some limitations in specific scenarios.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was renowned for its safety features, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It included a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, such as collision avoidance, lane-keeping aid, and Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its restricted top speed of 112 mph.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring as standard. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was set to be added later. While the Compass had not yet received updated safety ratings, it carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating. Some systems, like forward-collision warning, showed room for improvement.