Last week, extremely official-looking photos of the new Jeep Compass leaked onto the internet, revealing a glow-up for Jeep’s entry level model. Well, the curtains are now officially open as Jeep’s unveiled European-market specifications, and it’s no wonder the new Compass has been largely shrouded in secrecy—the dual-motor electric model is almost as powerful as a Toyota GR Supra. That’s shockingly potent, like the aftermath of twelve Taco Bell Doritos Locos tacos or the first time you ever used starter fluid.
Headlining the new Jeep Compass are two electric powertrains, a 215-horsepower single-motor arrangement and the 375-horsepower dual-motor setup raising substantially more eyebrows. That’s only seven fewer horsepower than a three-liter Toyota GR Supra, and the Compass doesn’t even have to lose time shifting. While a zero-to-60 mph time hasn’t been announced yet, 375 electric horsepower should make a compact crossover seriously quick. Odds are this thing could end up in the ballpark of the old Grand Cherokee SRT with the 6.4-liter V8, and that was one caliente family hauler. Add in up to 403 miles of WLTP range, and although 160 kW DC fast charging is a limitation compared to other vehicles with 800-volt architectures, the electric Compass certainly seems right in the mix on paper.
However, for those not ready to jump into battery electric vehicle life, Jeep’s giving people options. There’s a sensible 145-horsepower unspecified gasoline engine with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance for people who never want to plug in, and a 213-horsepower plug-in hybrid setup for those who want to plug in for commuting but road trip on fossil fuels.
So what about off the beaten path? Well, if we’re comparing all-wheel-drive crossover versus all-wheel-drive crossover, the 16-degree breakover angle on the Compass trails the 19.5-degree breakover angle on the Subaru Forester, but a 27-degree approach angle and 31-degree departure angle compare favorably to the Forester’s 19 degrees and 24.6 degrees. Water fording depth is also respectable at more than 18.5 inches, probably the most useful metric for the occasionally flooded streets the new Compass will likely see more often than trails.
Stepping inside the new Jeep Compass, the dashboard is dominated by a 16-inch ultrawide touchscreen for the infotainment and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster that look pretty slick. You do get a physical volume knob, but beyond that, there’s a whole lot of capacitive touch stuff going on, including what seems to be capacitive touch pads on the steering wheel. Cheap to manufacture, but not as intuitive as normal buttons for eyes-off operation. However, I am digging the shelf for the front passenger’s things, and a split console armrest in this segment is an unexpectedly nice touch.
In fact, storage and space play a big role in the new Compass, with Jeep claiming an extra 2.2 inches of rear legroom, 1.6 cu.-ft. of interior storage for smaller trinkets, and an extra 1.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Considering the old Compass felt a bit small inside compared to a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V but more spacious than a Subaru Crosstrek, a significant boost in rear legroom ought to move this thing closer to its compact crossover competitors.
Here’s the thing: We still don’t know when the new Compass will arrive in North America. Earlier this year, Stellantis put the job of tooling the Brampton assembly plant in Canada up for the new Compass on hold, and there’s no word on when or if things will resume. With the current second-generation Compass having entered its ninth model year, it’s properly due for replacement that probably won’t happen on this side of the Atlantic for the 2027 model year at the soonest.
Top graphic credit: Jeep
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I haven’t been much interested until I found out it’s available as a hybrid. Nice! Darned good looking too.
I don’t hate it at all… except for all the unwanted infotechtainment.
Wonder if some day we can get a ‘boomer edition’ that takes out all the unwanted tech trash and replaces it with gauges/knobs/buttons for a reasonable $7500 package cost?
As I’ve said here a few times, I would literally pay a premium for a “buttons, knobs, and switches” package in these tech monstrosities
“Multiple EV and Hybrid Drivetrain options available!”
Cool!
“Almost all interior functions are controlled by capacitive touch pads and the screen!”
Oh
New rule
Any mention of a plug in hybrid MUST include the battery only EV range and basic description of the setup ( ice engine 4cly? Turbo? ) Is it an EREV or conventional hybrid?
Plug in EREVs with 50-100 mile battery range is the absolute sweet spot. No idea what’s in this jeep. Thanks
It looks neat but from Stalantis record it will be very broken very oper priced and will probably suffer from some kind of hold like the wagoneer r did. They have a lot to do to get back on track I’m not sure it can be done in a timely manner and without selling assets to makeup for lost sales.
“Cool, another overpriced EV SUV with capacitive touch stuff on the steering wheel and the functions you interact with every day buried in a touchscreen”
-literally no one ever
Not true, somewhere in every company is a bean counter that is very excited to ruin your driving experience for a few bucks saved per vehicle.
Glad they are offering different hybrid versions. Hoping price will be WELL below the Hybrid CRV or RAV4 for this to be competitive given Jeeps reliability issues, especially in their 4XE models.
Still just want the Jimny
Great. Captive touch buttons on the steering wheel. So you can constantly accidentally turn shit on.
its not like Stellantis vehicles ever had issues with electrical systems or anything
My first thought too lol they haven’t been able to get the 4xe right so let’s double down in the electronics. From the company renowned for their steller reliability on their flagship vehicle they’ve been building for 50+years. Get that right (build quality & price) and I’ll consider jeep.
I spent a month driving a 2021 Mercedes E450 and the capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel were the only real complaint I had. There were real buttons on the dash, but it was infuriating to have the digital display rearrange itself if you accidentally brushed one of the buttons while turning the wheel.
Looks like a tamer version of the Recon, which is supposed to be out this year. I know the Recon doors come off, but who’s really doing that?
Does the PHEV ditch the turbo yet? Kind of what I’m waiting for…
Two big points against this for me that Thomas mentioned. Although i do actually like how it looks
All the buttons seem to be capacitive or touch screen inside. Including steering wheel buttons, which I absolutely hate. They sold me on going for a slightly used MK 7.5 GTI vs Mk8 a few years agoThey ‘paused’ development of the North American version for now. Which is obviously a bit of a dealbreaker
This is certainly a much, much better effort than the current Compass, which while also an upgrade from the very sad first generation, is boring as all hell. This at least has a little zazz, and seems to directly compete with your typical compact crossover. The current one manages to be smaller and shittier than the compacts, yet seems to cost just as much.
It’s certainly not for me, but it seems compelling enough.
Not bad at all. If they can get the PHEV into the low $40s, I think we have a contender. Of course, for most buyers the price will have to be competitive because otherwise they’re just getting the obvious Honda or Toyota. The unspoken question is “How much does the Jeep discount have to be?” (for reliability/resale people; vehicles like the Wrangler get a pass because they’re emotional purchases)
Based on the Dodge Hornet precedent, the discount would have to be 100% minimum.
Make it 110% and I’ll take 5.
I’ll go to 112% off if you take a couple Grand Wagoneers at 108% off too.
I think it’s gotta come in well below the Rav4 Plug-in, unless it offers significantly better specs, in which case still needs to be below.
The other factor is the mark-up between the regular hybrid and the plug-in. I know people love their Rav4 Primes, but I don’t think the markup over the hybrid is justifiable (and I say that as a Toyota Stan). If the payback isn’t less than 5 years on $3/gal gas, it’s hard to justify the plug-in.
375 hp is about the same as a LR AWD Model Y. That’s good for about a 4.8 second 0-60. Congratulations, Stellantis, you caught up to Tesla! By 2027 Stellantis may own what’s left of Tesla…
Still looks cheap.
Jeep hasn’t been able to nail the styling of their non Grand Cherokee and Wrangler products since the XJ.
As bad of a CUV as it was, the Renegade was styled really well for a subcompact economy tin can ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯.
My wife, who owns one, agrees.
I don’t really see what you are seeing. It looks fine to me.
Yes, this looks pretty good to me.
looks cheap because it is cheap, it is a jeep after all.
On the exterior, maybe. Interior is fine, Stellantis make really nice interiors.
It looks very Jeep to me. I think they hit the nail right on the head.
It’s rugged, a bit basic, but very handsome. It’s the best looking Compass ever, and looks a lot better than the KL Cherokee ever did, even after the 2019 restyle.
I appreciate that it hasn’t been contaminated by the styling trends from the other side of the oceans. BMW SUVs are criminally ugly. Asian SUVs are only a little better, and they all look a lot softer and more delicate than this. This is just right.