Today, Jeep isn’t fairly the favored model it as soon as was, a indisputable fact that isn’t helped by the inflow of SUVs from established gamers and newer entrants to the market. However the storied American off-road marque is hoping it will probably flip issues round, and the brand new, third-generation Compass small SUV is a part of that cost.
The all-new design not solely seems higher than its predecessor, nevertheless it has additionally grown to 4.5 metres lengthy and is constructed on the Stellantis ‘STLA Medium’ platform structure, which helps partial and full electrification, together with front- and all-wheel drive layouts.
Forward of the Compass arriving on our shores, we acquired behind the wheel of each the mild-hybrid and electrical variants at its European launch in Barcelona.
How a lot does the Jeep Compass value?
The outgoing Jeep Compass has a drive-away worth of round $49,000, and whereas pricing for this new era has but to be introduced, we’d count on that Jeep shall be eager to maintain it near the mannequin it is going to change, regardless that it has grown barely.
If Australia is to observe the rollout of different markets, that ought to see the e-Hybrid (MHEV) arriving initially alongside an entry-level electrical model.
In time, it’s anticipated {that a} plug-in hybrid will observe, as will two extra electrical fashions, together with the dual-motor ‘4xe’ variant.
To see how the Jeep Compass strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Allow us to enable you discover your new automotive
Purchase your new automotive with out the stress. It is quick, easy and fully free.
Nice service from Travis and staff, second time I’ve used this enterprise wouldn’t hesitate to advocate them to anybody
Craig C.
Bought a Ford Ranger in Sunshine Coast, QLD
CarExpert helped Craig save 1000’s on his Ford Ranger, now allow us to prevent in your subsequent new automotive.
What’s the Jeep Compass like on the within?
The cabin of the Compass is an enchancment over its predecessor’s, with the designers not solely giving it a extra fashionable and trendy look but additionally rising the sense of spaciousness and offering way more storage.
It seems roomier from the second you open the door to get inside. A part of this may be attributed to the structure of the dashboard, which takes on a extra horizontal look. It’s not solely flatter the place it extends to fulfill the windscreen, however there’s additionally an open shelf part in entrance of the front-seat passenger that enables for extra storage if wanted.
It seems higher thought-out and extra fashionable, too, and the supplies used all through really feel higher to the contact. This is among the most polished interiors that Jeep has rolled out in current reminiscence, with extra of an emphasis on it being an upmarket on-road SUV than a tricky path machine.
All the most recent tech options are current, beginning with a ten.25-inch digital instrument show that’s set fairly deeply into the sprint. It’s wider than it’s tall, and behind the squarish steering wheel, you’d assume it was a lot smaller than it’s. Nonetheless, the graphics are uncomplicated, and the display screen is pin-sharp and clear to learn.
Optionally, a color head-up show is obtainable, and this may relay loads of data, together with maps and turn-by-turn navigation, into the motive force’s line of sight.
The steering wheel is chunky with out feeling outsized in your fingers. Multifunction panels on both facet have an X-shaped contoured structure with a matte end, making it straightforward sufficient to search out your means across the capabilities by contact alone when you grow to be extra acquainted with the automotive.
Affixed to the centre of the dashboard is a 16-inch touchscreen. Compared to different choices available in the market, this setup seems good and works fairly properly. There’s quite a bit crammed into the native infotainment system, and among the menus are too many layers deep.
Because it’s fairly a large display screen, among the management capabilities require a bit extra of a stretch of the arm in comparison with different shows. There’s the anticipated wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so nearly all of gadgets shall be suitable for smartphone mirroring.
We like that there’s a correct quantity knob simply beneath the show, and on both facet of which can be button panels. These are one-piece sections which have haptic buttons inset to behave as shortcuts to numerous capabilities, together with window clearing, driver-assistance settings, the house display screen and one-pedal driving within the case of the electrical fashions.
The centre console is a straightforward affair with extra space now by means of the alternative of the normal gear shifter with a a lot smaller rotary controller. It has a properly damped really feel and is wrapped in a rubberised coating. Subsequent to that, with a pink encompass, is the ‘Selec-Terrain’ mode selector that switches between the varied drive settings.
Ahead of that is one other storage bin of types, deep sufficient for a pockets, purse or different small oddments. There are two cup holders and a pair of USB-C charging ports as properly. A wi-fi telephone charging pad is obtainable (and commonplace in some fashions) and is angled downwards with information buffers on both facet to make sure your system is correctly positioned. The position of this charging pad ought to hopefully make drivers much less prone to attain for his or her telephone when behind the wheel.
The Compass is fitted with material seats and gray stitching as commonplace, whereas First Version fashions get seats with a cloth-and-vinyl masking with heating, whereas non-compulsory upgrades function ventilated and massaging capabilities.
Passengers within the rear additionally profit from the Compass’s improve in measurement. Improved legroom and headroom make it extra pleasing to be seated within the rear. There isn’t a very flat flooring, nevertheless it’s not so dangerous if you’re within the center seat.
Whereas the earlier era Compass had a 424-litre boot, this time round there’s a extra helpful 550L of area obtainable. The Compass additionally will get 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats for better versatility.
| Dimensions | Jeep Compass |
|---|---|
| Size | 4552mm |
| Width | 1928mm |
| Peak | 1675mm |
| Wheelbase | 2795mm |
| Cargo capability | 550L |
To see how the Jeep Compass strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
Jeep has created a spread of electrified powertrains for the Compass, beginning with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol mild-hybrid. This makes use of a 48-volt MHEV setup to generate a complete most energy output of 108kW.
| Specs | Jeep Compass First Version BEV |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 74kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) |
| Energy | 158kW |
| Torque | 345Nm |
| Drive kind | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2198kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.5 seconds |
| Power consumption (claimed) | 17.4-18.6kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 500km |
| Max AC cost charge | 11kW (22kW non-compulsory) |
| Max DC cost charge | 160kW |
A 145kW plug-in hybrid variant, set to be launched later, combines a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with an electrical motor and will have greater than 100km of electrical vary if its Stellantis stablemates are something to go by.
There shall be a complete of three electrical powertrains obtainable, beginning with the 158kW front-wheel drive model examined right here. This makes use of a 74kWh battery to offer a WLTP driving vary of 500km and is fitted with 11kW AC and 160kW DC charging. It’s attainable to improve to 22kW AC charging.
Jeep plans to introduce a ‘long-range’ model that may possible use the identical 97kWh battery that options in each the Citroen C5 Aircross and Peugeot E-3008. This model will use a 172kW motor that drives the entrance wheels and can have an official driving vary of 650km.
Topping the lineup shall be a dual-motor Compass with 280kW, together with a 49kW rear motor producing 232Nm, with a 14:1 reducer guaranteeing ample traction from the rear axle. Regardless of the additional energy, this Compass 4xe can have a 600km vary.
Jeep could also be utilizing a bit of inventive licence with the identify of the Compass e-Hybrid because the electrified portion of the powertrain has a extra restricted scope than another well-known manufacturers that produce hybrids. The 21kW electrical motor and 0.9kWh battery can full parking manoeuvres and, if you happen to’re cautious along with your proper foot, speed up the Compass as much as round 20km/h with out utilizing the 1.2-litre engine.
The 48-volt system means the three-cylinder unit does chime in fairly easily, and it’ll swap on and off relying in your accelerator inputs, or when coasting it will probably revert to electrical energy. You’ll be able to see this taking place because the digital speedo turns from white (signalling engine use) to blue.
That’s high-quality for slower city or metropolis driving, however there’s extra refinement from the Compass Electrical and extra punch, too. The entry-level powertrain packs greater than sufficient for many households, and we’ll have to attend some time to check out the 4xe dual-motor variant.
To see how the Jeep Compass strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Jeep Compass drive?
The Compass is well probably the most civilised mannequin that Jeep has produced in years.
Leaving apart the inside high quality, which we discovered to be a lot improved, the chassis and suspension setup really feel proper for such a automobile. It’s on the firmer facet, however to not the purpose of being what we’d name stiff.
A mixture of a low centre of gravity within the Compass Electrical and bigger 20-inch wheels makes the Jeep really feel strong. It makes a good fist of tackling the same old metropolis and concrete landscapes, with sharper pace bumps soaked up and little in the way in which of patter from the suspension on extra damaged surfaces.
Although it’s bodily bigger than its predecessor, it nonetheless manages to really feel agile in additional attention-grabbing sections of highway with a steering setup that’s each fast and direct. It doesn’t telegraph an enormous quantity again to the motive force, however that is no sports activities automotive in any case.
The one-pedal really feel from the electrical motor is sort of robust, and definitely lives as much as the billing, although some drivers would possibly discover it unusual to note the brake pedal shifting out and in of its personal accord because the system works. It may be simply turned off (or on for that matter) by urgent a devoted button beneath the touchscreen.
The facility supply is easy and customarily quiet. Jeep doesn’t pump any pretend sounds into the cabin to make this sound just like the Starship Enterprise, although, with out the stereo on, you possibly can hear the electrical motor at work. At freeway speeds, it stays hushed inside, thanks partially to Jeep becoming glass that’s 11 per cent thicker than on the earlier mannequin.
Unsurprisingly, you possibly can really feel the 531kg weight distinction between the heavier Compass Electrical and the 1667kg Compass e-Hybrid, and that does shift the way it drives, too. Not solely does it shed the majority of that weight from the ground, however the compact three-cylinder engine doesn’t add a lot weight to the nostril. Our check automotive was additionally sporting the smaller 18-inch wheels, which did add some additional profit to its capacity to take in the bumps.
For some, although, the shortage of all-wheel drive powertrains from the outset, or maybe the low towing functionality of 1000kg for the Compass Electrical and 1150kg for the Compass e-Hybrid, may additionally be limiting elements.
To see how the Jeep Compass strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
A broad number of Compass variants shall be supplied, every with differing specs.
2026 Jeep Compass Electrical tools highlights:
- Keyless entry and go
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Twin-zone local weather management
- 16-inch touchscreen
- Linked companies
- Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
- LED headlights
To see how the Jeep Compass strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the Jeep Compass protected?
On the time of writing, the Jeep Compass has not but been assessed by Euro NCAP or ANCAP, but when we had been to have a look at the Citroen C5 Aircross, which shares the identical platform structure and lots of the similar driver help applied sciences, it scored a four-star score from the European physique.
The breakdown of the outcomes included an 80 per cent rating for grownup occupants and 85 per cent for little one occupant safety, with 79 per cent for susceptible highway customers and a 62 per cent score for security help.
Customary security tools contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Cruise management
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Two Isofix mounting factors
You get the entire standard commonplace security tools within the Jeep Compass, and additional options may be added by means of the Comfort and ADAS Packs. These things embrace a 360-degree digital camera, energetic blind-spot detection, predictive adaptive cruise management that may modify to approaching pace restrict adjustments, a head-up show and semi-automated lane altering.
To see how the Jeep Compass strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Jeep Compass value to run?
Throughout our time driving the Compass Electrical, it returned an vitality consumption determine of 20.5kWh/100km, compared to the official 17.4-18.6kWh/100km figures. In case you are absolutely charging the Compass’s 74kWh battery utilizing a mean night time charge of 20c per kWh, it is going to value you just a bit below $15.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Jeep Compass |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years or 100,000km |
| Roadside help | 5 years, then service-activated |
| Service intervals | 12 months |
| Capped-price servicing | TBC |
To see how the Jeep Compass strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Jeep Compass
The brand new Jeep Compass marks a major enchancment over its predecessor, not solely by way of design and practicality, however in the way in which it drives.
Trusted Evaluations, Smarter Decisions, Higher Costs
The place knowledgeable automotive critiques meet knowledgeable automotive shopping for – CarExpert offers you trusted recommendation, personalised service and actual financial savings in your subsequent new automotive.
Whereas each the e-Hybrid and Compass Electrical fashions we’ve pushed listed below are way more targeted in direction of on-road driving, the bottom clearance and typical Jeep strategy and departure angles bode properly for when the all-wheel drive model arrives, although many might rue the actual fact this can solely be obtainable with an electrical powertrain.
So whereas it isn’t going to switch a Wrangler, the Compass does now have way more mainstream enchantment.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Jeep Compass. Click on right here to get a fantastic deal
Click on the photographs for the complete gallery
