Jeep’s upcoming 7-seater Grand Compass model has just been spotted in Italy, as prototypes commence public testing in Europe.

This particular prototype, as you can see, is heavily disguised, to the point where aside from the recognizable grille and front fascia, very little else points to this even being a Jeep product. Still, the extended rear door is also visible, confirming that this isn’t just any plain old Compass.

We expect the Grand Compass’ third-row to accommodate two extra passengers for a total of seven individuals – although we can only speculate as to how much leg room third-row passengers will have.

Read: 2022 Jeep Compass Debuts With New Looks And A More Luxurious Interior

In terms of styling, the stretched crossover should mirror what Jeep has done for the 2022 Compass, which the carmaker unveiled just last month. There’s a revised grille plus new headlights at the front, to go with the repositioned fog lights.

The interior however features more novelties, with a redesigned steering wheel, dashboard, switchgear, center console, new shifter and a freestanding 10.25-inch infotainment display. There’s also a 10.1-inch digital gauge cluster. Altogether, it’s a considerably more modern ambiance than what we saw on the older model.

Power units could mirror those found on the new Chinese-spec regular Compass, which reportedly boasts a 1.3-liter turbocharged entry-level unit, mated to a 7-speed automatic and front wheel drive, but also a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.

Jeep should unveil the Grand Compass sometime next year, as a direct rival for the likes of the VW Tiguan Allspace.

Photo Credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops