2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite its exterior updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign. It resembled a smaller Grand Cherokee, especially in the High Altitude trim with its 19-inch multi-spoke wheels. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its premium SUV appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC60 showcased Volvo's signature style and design leadership. The XC60 Recharge Ultimate, with its 20-inch wheels and Thunder Grey paint, looked sophisticated. Inside, the cabin exuded Scandinavian minimalism with black leather seats, wood trim, metal accents, and a crystal gear selector knob, creating an opulent atmosphere.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came 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 power, making it feel sluggish. The nine-speed automatic transmission aimed for fuel efficiency but often resulted in a busy and unrewarding driving experience. The Compass averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, it handled light off-roading well, but the driving dynamics needed improvement.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds and offered several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, and Pure. The XC60 Recharge accelerated to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and averaged 54.6 mpg on a 65-mile evaluation route. The Pure mode allowed for 35 miles of electric-only driving, while the Power mode enhanced performance and handling.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior 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 provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 accommodated four people comfortably, with the front seats offering outstanding comfort and support. The rear seats, while comfortable, had limited legroom. Storage space was decent, with practical spots in the center console and door panels. The XC60 provided 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The power liftgate and ski pass-through panel added convenience.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. It included an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in finding specific locations.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system. It included Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play, and Apple CarPlay. The voice-recognition system impressed with its accuracy and ability to operate climate functions. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Jeep Compass included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was to be added later. The Compass had some issues with false positives from the forward-collision warning system.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. It excelled on freeways, providing smooth and accurate performance. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.