CONS ›› Weak engine, FWD only, pricey
Americans used to get the coolest Jeeps before everyone else, but times have changed. Europe got the subcompact Avenger, a car the US never saw, and now European buyers get first crack at the new-generation Compass in mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric forms. The old order has been reversed, and North America is the one waiting.
We put a few days into Jeep’s latest compact SUV in high-spec First Edition trim with the entry-level e-Hybrid powertrain, with two questions in mind: whether it can hold its ground in one of the bloodiest segments in Europe, and how much distance it has put between itself and the decade-old Compass that North American showrooms are still selling.
Larger And Boxier
The new Compass is a clean sheet design, abandoning the aging FCA-era underpinnings for the more modern STLA Medium architecture. The body has grown by 147 mm (5.8 in) in length stretching to 4,552 mm (179.2 in), while being wider and slightly taller than before.
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More importantly, the 2,795 mm (110 in) wheelbase has gained 159 mm (6.3 in) compared to the previous Compass, now being 175 mm (6.9 in) shorter than the Cherokee.
QUICK FACTS
Visually, the new generation is boxier than its predecessor, adopting the styling language that debuted in the Avenger. Still, the Compass has more than a few model-specific styling cues helping it avoid the Russian doll effect.
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The aggressive headlights, the slim intakes, the boxy fenders and the wrap-around greenhouse seem like they will stand the test of time, while the unique taillight graphics help it stand out in an increasingly crowded segment. Still, the short rear overhang in combination with the stretched wheelbase makes the SUV look slightly weird from certain angles.
Our Compass First Edition press car features the new Amazonia shade which is brown with green iridescent hues. It also gets a bi-tone treatment with a black roof, a dark finish for the standard 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminum-style skid plates, and the optional electric dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
Well-Equipped, Spacious Cabin
The interior has a distinct Jeep look and feel, with nice materials, good ergonomics, and the traditional Easter Eggs. The centerpiece is an unusually wide 16-inch free-standing infotainment display. The touchscreen has crisp graphics, quick responses, and it’s easily accessible by the front passenger, although the operation is not as intuitive as in some rivals. It is joined by a standard 10-inch digital instrument cluster and an optional head-up display.
The new Compass has more space for passengers, with an extra 55 mm (2.2 inches) of rear legroom compared to the model it replaces and a flat floor helping the third passenger feel more comfortable. The double-floor boot is also 25.6% larger at 550 lt (19.4 cubic feet), although it can’t match the closely-related Citroen C5 Aircross with the sliding rear bench.
The family-friendly credentials of the Jeep are further improved by multiple storage solutions around the cabin including a practical shelf on the dashboard and deep cubbies on the center console totaling 34 lt (1.2 cubic feet).
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Our press car came with a generous amount of kit including electric, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats upholstered in vinyl, a 360-degree camera, a premium sound system, a hands-free tailgate, matrix LED headlights, and Level 2 ADAS. Unfortunately, we couldn’t test the driver assistance due to unresponsive buttons on the left side of the steering wheel – an issue we’ve been told would be fixed with a simple software update.
Not As Rugged As It Looks
Despite the rugged stance, the Compass e-Hybrid is a front-wheel-drive affair. Power comes from a mild-hybrid turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine which is good for 144 hp (107 kW / 145 PS) and is exclusively mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Selec-Terrain drive system with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes can be helpful on slippery tarmac, but without a rear drive axle, off-road capability remains limited.
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On the road, the mild-hybrid setup proves adequate for daily use, but reveals its limitations when pushed harder. As a result, you often need to reach higher revs to extract the required performance, increasing the average fuel consumption closer to the 8 lt/100 km (29.4 mpg) mark rather than the advertised figure of 5.6 lt/100 km (42 mpg).
Dynamically, the Compass delivers a mature and predictable ride. It is not as fun to drive as the smaller Jeep Avenger but the steering is direct and the suspension feels slightly stiffer compared to other Stellantis SUV siblings. Its worth noting that the heavier fully electric model gets a more sophisticated multi-link rear axle so it should deliver a slightly more refined ride.
For buyers seeking more muscle the fully electric (FWD) model produces 213 hp (157 kW / 216 PS) while the plug-in hybrid (FWD) generates a combined 222 hp (165 kW / 225 PS) from a turbo 1.6-liter engine and a single electric motor.
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Things get more interesting when you add AWD into the mix as the flagship Compass 4xe churns out 370 hp (276 kW / 375 PS) from dual electric motors. This one offers a WLTP range of over 600 km (373 miles) thanks to the larger 96.1 kWh battery pack. The 4xe treatment also includes a more rugged bodykit, durable materials inside the cabin, a raised suspension, chunkier tires, and a dedicated 4WD Lock drive mode.
Pricing And Rivals
In Greece where we tested it, the Jeep Compass e-Hybrid kicks off at a discounted €32,990 ($38,200) for the Altitude trim which is surprisingly well equipped. If you want the more potent Compass PHEV the starting figure jumps to €46,390 ($53,700), while the fully electric variant is priced from €42,190 ($48,800) after accounting for local incentives. Jeep has yet to announce local pricing for the AWD-capable 4xe BEV which is expected to hit European roads later this year.
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As for rivals in Europe’s compact SUV segment, the cheapest Jeep Compass is more expensive than the likes of the Dacia Bigster (€23,990 / $27,800), Nissan Qashqai (€27,990 / $32,400), Citroen C5 Aircross (€28,900 / $33,400), Opel Grandland (€30,400 / $35,200), and Kia Sportage (€30,990 / $35,900). It also closely matches the Peugeot 3008 (€32,900 / $38,100) and is slightly cheaper than the VW Tiguan (€33,990 / $39,300).
Verdict
The new Compass moves the game on from its predecessor and lands as a credible player in the compact SUV class, with a rugged exterior, a long standard equipment list, and a roomy interior that holds up to family duty. The base front-drive mild-hybrid is the weak link here, competent in daily traffic and short of ideas when you ask for more, which puts a ceiling on how satisfying the cheapest Compass is to live with. Anyone planning to venture past light off-roading should skip it and spend the extra on the fully electric versions or the AWD-capable Compass 4xe.
