Will The New Jeep Compass Come to America?

Urban-Friendly Electrified Jeep

It’s been a little while since the Jeep Compass has been on sale in North America, but the popular compact SUV has been a worldwide success, having found over two million buyers since debuting in 2006. Now, Jeep has shown off a new Compass, and it’s going on sale in Europe first – in both electric and plug-in hybrid forms.

As a compact SUV, the new Compass enters the most competitive segment for passenger cars, but Jeep says that its rugged looks, distinctive attitude, versatility, and high level of technology will make it a class leader. And while Europe is the first market to get the new Compass, it has been designed to sell in other markets. Will this new entrant, built in Italy, come to America?

Choice of Electric, Hybrid, and Plug-In Hybrid

The all-new Compass will be available with a full range of powertrain options to suit every need and driving style. The range starts off with a 145-horsepower gasoline engine with mild hybrid technology as an entry-level mode. Jeep hasn’t specified much more about the powertrain but expect a small-displacement turbocharged four-cylinder and front-wheel drive.

One step up is the 195-horse plug-in hybrid version, which will likely pair the same engine with a higher-power electric motor and the ability to drive significant distances on electric power alone. This drivetrain will be ideal for commuters, allowing them to do most of their driving emissions-free while providing the flexibility of gasoline for longer trips.

Jeep Compass Electric Range and Charging

There will also be three – yes, three – fully-electric versions, which Jeep says will range from 213 hp in front-wheel drive form to a high-performance all-wheel drive version with 375 hp. The top model includes a more powerful rear electric motor with increased torque and 14:1 gear reducer to give maximum traction off-road. As befitting a Jeep, the top-level Compass will also have the ability to climb a 20-percent slope even if the front wheels have no traction.

Want to understand charging options better? Read our guide to electric car charging.

For the electric models, Jeep claims an estimated driving range of over 400 miles on the European NEDC driving cycle, which should be about 350 miles on the more realistic EPA cycle. Fast-charging on a Level 3 charger happens at up to 160 kW, not bad for this class of car, with a promised 20 to 80 percent charging time of 30 minutes. When plugged into a Level 2 charger, the electric Compass can charge at up to 22 kw, twice as fast as most EVs.

Looks Like a Jeep

The new Compass is distinctively Jeep in design, while integrating new high-tech elements. True Jeep legacy, it has a seven-slot grille up front, trapezoidal wheel arches, and rugged body cladding, tied together with a sleek, aerodynamic shape and high-tech LED lighting. Innovative features include an anti-scratch Jeep shield, reinforced bumpers, and vehicle sensors that have been positioned to avoid damage while off-roading.

Careful sculpting means that the drag coefficient of the new Compass has been improved by 10 percent, achieving a value of less than 0.3, introducing elements like: active grille shutters integrated into the front bumper, air ducts on the front and rear wheels, sharp rear edges, and a fully flat underbody design.

Inside the New Jeep Compass

Inside the Compass, drivers and passengers will find plenty of space as well as useful technology. The infotainment system has a 10-inch instrument cluster and 16-inch central touchscreen, with fully connected services that can receive over-the-air updates to stay current.

Active safety features are cutting-edge as well, and Level 2 autonomous driving features make longer trips a breeze. Semi-automatic lane change, forward-looking radar, and other features bring luxury-car standards to the compact SUV class as standard features.

Pricing and Availability

At the moment, the all-new Jeep Compass is only available in Europe, and the company will announce a starting price before its on-sale date later this year. It’s not yet clear if or when the new Compass will come to North America.

That said, given the size of the market, we expect Jeep to not only sell the Compass on our shores, but to build it locally as well, exempting it from import Tariffs as well as making it eligible for the Federal EV tax incentive.  

Unsure if hybrid or electric suits your needs? Check out Hybrid vs Electric: Which Is Right For You?

We think that with its selection of drivetrains – hybrid for those that are electric-curious, plug-in for those that are ready to make the leap day-to-day but need long-distance flexibility, and full EV – that the Compass would answer a lot of questions for a lot of buyers.

Expect a starting MSRP in the low forties.

Jeep Electrified: Further Reading