2022 Jeep Compass vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars of the past, maintaining its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the brand developed new vehicle platforms, leading to today's lineup of sedans and crossover SUVs. The 2022 XC90, launched as a 2016 model, was the company's flagship SUV, riding on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. It had a great stance and sleek profile, with pronounced wheel arches and a snub nose reminiscent of the classic 245 wagon. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, a clear crystal gear selector handle, and optional Nappa leather or tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite 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 proved more convincing as a premium SUV, particularly in the High Altitude specification. It featured a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening. The High Altitude was the most expensive version, with prices ranging from $26,020 to $35,085, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. Our test vehicle, equipped with standard AWD and various option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of that engine, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. T5 models produced 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while T6 models delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8's electric motor drove the rear wheels, and all models used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 FWD achieved 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, while the T8 had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked acceleration and was noisy at high revs. The Compass had a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models and a six-speed automatic for FWD models. The transmission aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy, unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, and the drivetrain felt sluggish. The Compass AWD had 8.1 inches of ground clearance, suitable for light off-roading. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities. The Compass High Altitude averaged 23.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 25 mpg combined estimate.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows down. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, making the XC90 a comfortable choice in various weather conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, positioned between the Renegade and Cherokee, was spacious enough 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 Elite Interior Group option package added premium leather upholstery and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The redesigned dashboard included a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen and integrated air vents. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The new center console provided additional storage, but the bin beneath the armrest remained small.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was occasionally glitchy and slow. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered customization options. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available. Uconnect 5 supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. The Compass offered a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests. The Compass could be upgraded to a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued the brand's commitment to safety, featuring blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Compass included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, 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 also offered parking assistance and a 360-degree camera system. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. The NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.