2024 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. It showcased a purposeful yet understated front end, with a bold but not overly flashy grille. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the overall design leaned towards a rectilinear shape without resembling the toasters of the 1980s and 90s. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Compass, tested in Michigan, presented a more utilitarian appearance, especially in the base Sport trim. The test vehicle, a white Compass with black plastic door handles and small wheels, lacked distinctive features, making it blend in with other small crossovers. The interior of the base Compass, however, showed improvements in design and quality, with supportive cloth seats, a large 10-inch infotainment screen, and silver plastic accents. The higher trims, like the Limited, offered a more cohesive and modern interior with features like caramel leatherette and large screens. Despite these improvements, the exterior design remained generic, lacking the unique identity expected from a Jeep.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 engine, featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. These powertrains offered smoother operation and slightly better fuel efficiency. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and minimal road and wind noise. The brakes provided a solid pedal feel, and the vehicle handled well despite its bulky dimensions. The XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics, with minimal customizable modes, appealed to some drivers, while others might have found it underwhelming.

The 2024 Jeep Compass, on the other hand, replaced its previous 2.4-liter engine with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, the Compass offered improved performance, with minimized engine noise and better acceleration. The Compass featured three driving modes (auto, snow, sand/mud) and a rear-axle disconnect for fuel efficiency. The Trailhawk trim added a low-range transfer case, extra driving modes, and off-road capabilities, but at a higher cost. The Compass's steering and handling were less impressive, with too much play off-center and low grip. However, the ride was comfortable, and the fuel economy was competitive, with an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some storage frustrations. The lack of a dedicated space for a cell phone and a small center console bin were notable drawbacks. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. The XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, falling short of some competitors. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, making it more maneuverable than typical three-row SUVs.

The 2024 Jeep Compass excelled in utility and ease of use. The driver’s seat featured clear analog gauges, a large color display, and convenient buttons for stereo and climate controls. Visibility was good, and the front headroom was spacious without a sunroof. The rear seats offered ample legroom and headroom, along with rear vents, USB ports, and a fold-down center armrest. The central cubby and door pockets were small, but the cargo space was competitive, with 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet when folded. The front passenger seat also folded, allowing for easy transport of longer items.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first of its kind as a standard system. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were integrated, enhancing the user experience with natural-language recognition. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions, including adjusting the driver’s seat and turning on the heated steering wheel, could be frustrating. While the minimalist design was appealing, more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been beneficial.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software. The display was clear, crisp, and easy to navigate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, 4G Wi-Fi, and USB-C ports as standard features. Factory navigation was optional, and a wireless charging pad was available. Higher trims offered a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel, a semi-automated driving system, and additional luxury features like a panoramic moonroof and a nine-speaker Alpine stereo. The Compass's technology was user-friendly, with simple menus and clear displays.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance and lane position. These features contributed to the XC90's reputation as one of the safest vehicles on the road.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by the NHTSA at the time of writing, but the identical 2022 model received four out of five stars overall. The 2023 Compass earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all six crash tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and 360-degree cameras were available on higher trims.