Third generation Compass takes after the Grand Cherokee and despite being earmarked for Europe, will have hybrid and EV powertrain options.
Teased sporadically since October last year, Jeep, in the early hours of Tuesday morning (6 May), officially debuted the all-new Compass as its global line-up filler between the Avenger and the Cherokee.
The replacement for previous MP generation that went on-sale nine years ago, the third generation Compass makes the transition towards electrification similar to its junior sibling, though combustion engine motivation remains in the form of hybrid assistance.
New platform
Reportedly aimed at Europe, with production again taking place at the Melfi Plant in Italy, the Compass becomes the latest model to ride on the parent company Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform that had originally been developed as an EV-only architecture, but still supports combustion engines.
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Dimensionally, the Compass gains on all fronts with an overall length of 4 550 mm, wheelbase of 2 795 mm and width of 1 928 mm.
Claimed boot space, therefore, also expands to 550-litres, with EV models offering an additional 34-litres underneath the bonnet.
Inside and out
Styled to resemble to the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, the Compass’ interior takes after that of the Avenger and Cherokee/Grand Cherokee as well with the same steering wheel, but two new additions in the form of a 16-inch Uconnect infotainment system and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster.
Aside from making extensive use of physical buttons and switchgear, the centre console now houses a rotary gear selector, the wireless smartphone charger and a Wrangler-style toggle selector with a red surround for the Terrain Select off-road system.
While exact specification will differ from market to market and also trim grade, Jeep has confirmed the inclusion of Matrix LED headlights, up to 20-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, heated and electric front seats, and Level 2 autonomous safety and driver assistance systems.
Hybrid or EV
With its mentioned focus on Europe rather than North America, the Compass’ powertrain options mirror those of its STLA Medium-underpinned siblings, the Citroën C5 Aircross, Opel Grandland and Peugeot 3008/E-3008.
As such, the pair of hybrids consist of a 48-volt mild-hybrid developing 107 kW and a plug-in hybrid outputting a combined 143 kW. No details about the combustion engines or in the latter’s case, size of the battery was revealed.
For the EV models, three options will be offered: a single-motor front-wheel-drive making 155 kW, an unspecified middle variant and the flagship dual-motor all-wheel-drive outputting 275 kW.
Regardless of the outputs, all three EVs support DC charging up to 160 kW, which will require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 20-80%.
The standard on-board charger produces 22 kW, with the claimed range, for the two-wheel-drive, being 650 km.
Not yet South Africa
Now available for ordering in Europe, sales only commence around the third quarter of the year with delivers kicking-off in the final quarter.
Unsurprisingly, and despite the first two generations having been sold locally, no mentioning of the third generation Compass coming to South Africa has so far been made.
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