With over 2.5 million global sales under its belt since its 2006 debut, the Jeep Compass has earned its stripes. Now, Jeep’s smallest SUV with the most global reach is back for another round… and it’s bringing a fresh mix of rugged charm, clever technology, and properly sorted off-road hardware to the party. Say hello to the newest evolution of the Compass, proudly built in Italy and ready to take on city streets and mountain passes with equal ease.
While we don’t always associate “compact SUV” with “serious 4×4”, the Compass has always tried to blur those lines. The new version leans into that philosophy even harder. Built on Stellantis’ new STLA Medium platform, it’s designed from the wheels up to support electrification and high-tech features, without binning the kind of trail-ready attitude that gives Jeep its street cred.
Visually, it still wears that unmistakable Jeep family face, complete with the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches and chunky bumpers that look like they could survive a rhinoceros charging through a car park. The designers have even thrown in an anti-scratch modular “Jeep shield” and repositioned the radar system to help it survive the mean streets or a thorny riverbank.
If you’re a fan of bold colours, the new Compass comes in six nature-inspired hues. Launch colour is a rather loud green called Hawaii, but you’ll also find shades inspired by the Pacific, Antarctica, the Amazon, Yosemite and Sicily’s Vulcano.
Despite its compact footprint (at 4.55m long), it’s been stretched and massaged to be more practical than ever. You now get 55mm of extra legroom and a boot that grows to 550 litres – perfect for everything from shopping hauls to weekend camping gear. The rear seats fold in a handy 40/20/40 split, too.
But it’s not just about what it carries, it’s about where it can go. And here, the Compass steps up its game. Ground clearance now hits 200mm in standard form, while approach, breakover and departure angles (20, 15 and 26 degrees respectively) give it proper go-anywhere chops. It will also wade through up to 470mm of water without getting nervous. And yes, there’s Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system and 360-degree protection across all models, even the front-wheel-drive ones.
Go for the all-wheel-drive variants and you’ll see even better stats: a departure angle of up to 31 degrees, hill descent control, and better clearance. Suspension has also been reworked for improved comfort and control – something we’ll be keen to test out in the real world.
Inside, Jeep has gone full digital, with a snazzy 10-inch instrument cluster and a massive 16-inch central screen. Wireless updates (OTA) are standard, as is Level 2 autonomous driving, which means the Compass can now steer, brake, and accelerate in certain conditions all on its own. If you’re willing to splash out, there’s also a head-up display, semi-automated lane changes, and even massage seats.
Jeep is offering something for everyone on the powertrain front. The range includes a 108kW 48V hybrid, a 145kW plug-in hybrid, and a trio of full electric versions topping out at 280kW. That last one sounds especially spicy, with a clever rear electric motor (exclusive to Jeep) that cranks out torque like a bulldozer – up to 3100Nm at the rear wheels, to be exact. That’s enough grunt to get you up a 20% slope even if the front wheels are having a nap.
For those who want to be the first to flash their Compass in the wild, Jeep is launching a First Edition model. Buyers can choose between the hybrid or the front-wheel drive BEV, which introduces full-electric power to the Compass for the first time. It has all the bells and whistles, including matrix LED headlights, big wheels, heated seats and the full suite of Jeep’s comfort and safety tech. There’s even the option of ventilated massage seats and an open-air sunroof if you’re feeling fancy. As for South Africa? Jeep hasn’t confirmed if or when we’ll see the new Compass in local showrooms. But given the local love for the brand and the popularity of the current Compass, we’re quietly hopeful. Watch this space.
