Jeep's Compass mid-sized SUV becomes more credible in this third generation form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
Jeep gets more serious about the important SUV C-segment with this third-generation Compass. There's sharper looks, a smarter cabin and an EV option - but is there quite enough that's really 'Jeep'? Let's see.
Background
We all know what a real Jeep looks like - rough, tough and wilderness-ready. The Compass isn't one of those. This instead is the company's offering in the important European SUV C-segment and is a car almost completely reinvented in this third-generation form.
It's taken the Compass model line some time to get going in the European market. The curious-looking first-generation model of 2011 is best forgotten and sold poorly. The MK2 version of 2017 was much better, though still lacked the sassy charm of the smaller Renegade model whose sales it was supposed to emulate. A far-reaching update in 2021 made it more class-competitive, but what the Compass really needed was a completely fresh start, which he got with the launch of this MK3 version, introduced in the Summer of 2025.
Given that its segment, which accounts for a quarter of all new car sales in Europe, will shortly be almost completely electrified, you'd expect the line-up to include an EV - and thanks to the borrowed Stellantis engineering, that's what we've got. Along with a lot else that will make this, in the brand's own words, 'a key driver for Jeep growth'.
Engines and Tech Spec
The Stellantis STLA-Medium platform allows for two petrol units with auto transmission - a three cylinder 1.2-litre e-Hybrid mild hybrid unit and a four cylinder 1.6-litre PHEV. Plus a range of full EV powertrains. This third-generation Compass gets all of those. If, given that it's a Jeep, you're wondering about four wheel-drive, you need to be aware that this is something the brand no longer prioritises in the European market.
Even a decade ago, the thought of launching any new Jeep model without 4WD was faintly ridiculous. How things have changed. These days, most European Jeep models are now front-driven in their mainstream forms - as this third generation Compass has to be unless you order it in rare flagship all-electric 4xe form.
But that doesn't mean the Compass variants most will choose can't be a bit more capable than the front-driven segment norm. Jeep had a say in the design of that STLA-Medium architecture and the result is engineering geared further towards off-road capability. To be specific, there's a suspension lift compared to this model's Stellantis cousins, giving this Compass up to 200mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of up to 470mm. Jeep has also shortened the overhangs, giving an approach angle of 20-degrees, a departure angle of 26-degrees and a breakover angle of 15-degrees. All versions get various drive modes for different kinds of terrain, controlled by chunky red dial on the centre console.
Back to those powertrains. The entry-level e-Hybrid mild hybrid model has 145hp, including the assistance of a 21kWh electric motor; while the Plug-in Hybrid variant offers 192hp and works with a 21kWh battery enabling up to 53 miles of EV driving. The fully all-electric Compass meanwhile, will mainly be chosen with a 74kWh battery mated to a front motor offering either 213hp or 231hp. Either way, your Compass EV will officially offer up to 311 miles of range but if that's not enough, there's also a longer-range 96kWh EV variant offering up to 404 miles of range.
At the very top of the line-up is the 4xe 4WD Compass flagship model we mentioned earlier. This one gets a second 180hp electric motor on the rear axle that takes total power to 370hp, which makes this Europe's most powerful STLA-based Stellantis model yet. Jeep claims that the 4xe's rear motor can pull the car up a 20% incline even if there's no traction for the front wheels. The 4xe has 10mm more suspension lift - to increase ground clearance and give 27-degree approach, 31-degree departure and 16-degree breakover angles.
Design and Build
There are two kinds of Jeep design, which is why European models from the brand are so different from their brash US counterparts. The Compass has always been very much a car for Europe, quite differently styled in each of its three generations. In styling this one, designer Danielle Calonaci was told to 'detoxify' the previous look (hence the new absence of chrome) but also make it bolder and more rugged; visually a logical step on from the smaller Avenger, with various traditional Jeep cues thrown in. As always with the brand, the most recognisable one of these is the seven-slot front grille - here re-imagined as a wrap-around panel. Squared-off wheel arches are another brand staple, but otherwise, there's little here that a US Jeep owner would recognise.
European Jeep models of course run on totally different platforms - in this case, the STLA-Medium chassis used by this model's Stellantis cousins from Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot. But featuring here with a shorter 4,552mm-long body (though that's 150mm longer than the previous generation model). This is certainly a more eye-catching thing than its predecessor, with visual trinkets like a rear light bar with an illuminating badge.
Jeep interior design has always been a bit hit-and-miss; this is much better, a huge step forward from any of the brand's previous models, with a big 16.0-inch central touchscreen, a 10.0-inch instrument display and a selection of touch controls. There's a rotating gear selector between the seats with a side-mounted Terrain Response controller for the drive modes. And in-cabin storage has been prioritised with 34-litres of stowage space available across the front of the car, including a shelf in front of the passenger and to the right of the steering wheel, plus a large bin under the main dashboard and a decently-sized centre console. The STLA-Medium platform has freed up much more space in the rear of this five-seat-only model. Jeep claims an extra 55mm of legroom. And out back, once the 40:20:40-split backrest is flattened, there's a 45-litre increase in boot space, with up to 550-litres available.
Market and Model
From launch, Compass pricing started from £35,700 for the 145hp e-Hybrid 'Launch Edition' models; it's £39,200 for the 74kWh 213hp full-electric 'Launch Edition' model.
Standard equipment either way includes heat for the seats and steering wheel, dual-zone air conditioning, personalised ambient lighting, power-folding heated mirrors, passive entry/keyless go and a 10-inch instrument cluster. Media features are housed on a 16-inch infotainment screen. The fully-electric variant also includes pre-conditioning and a heat pump as standard. Both models offer various Level 2 Autonomous driving features too.
The e-Hybrid features 18-inch alloys painted in a gloss grey, while the fully electric variant benefits from 20-inch alloys painted black with a machine-faced finish. Six colours are available. As standard, the Compass First Edition is available in Hawaii (brilliant green) with Pacific (blue) and Antarctica (white). Amazonia (green with brown hues), Yosemite (grey), and Vulcano (black) are also available as an option. All colour choices extend across a body-coloured roof. Customers also have the option to pair their colour choice with a black roof.
Customers can pick from three optional packs. The 'Convenience Pack First Edition' includes a 360-degree camera, lateral parking sensors and blind spot monitoring. The 'ADAS Pack' features Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, rear cross-traffic alert, active blind spot detection, semi-automated lane change and Head-up display. The 'Premium Pack First Edition' adds a premium audio system, full vinyl seats, driver and passenger eight-way powered seats, ventilated and massaging front seats for both driver and passenger and gloss black painted lowers. Individual options include a dual-pane sunroof. And on fully electric variants, an optional on-board 22kW charger is also available.
Cost of Ownership
Let's start with the e-Hybrid 145hp 48V variant. This manages just over 50mpg on the combined cycle. And around 125g/km of CO2. Jeep reckons that this model's 48V mild hybrid petrol engine technology reduces fuel consumption by 15%, with these savings mostly being achieved during urban driving, where the brand claims the car can run on just electric power for up to 50% of the time. The Plug-in Hybrid variant claims to be able to offer up to 53 miles of driving range.
As for the Compass full-EV, well we gave you the driving range figures earlier: 311 miles for the 74kWh model and 404 miles for the 98kWh version; think around 326 miles for the 98kWh 4xe variant. To get near to these stats, you'll have to make frequent use of the provided 'Eco' drive mode and the various settings (low, medium and high) of the regenerative braking system.
As for Compass EV charging, well little surprisingly, the STLA-Medium platform hasn't been engineered with the 800V architecture that would enable use of the latest breed of ultra-rapid DC public chargers. But with its 400V system, the Compass EV can charge at up to 160kW, which allows for 20-80% charge in 30 minutes, with a charging rate of 2.4kWh per minute at its peak, at which point 62 miles of range are added every 10 minutes.
Via a provided smartphone app or by using the vehicle's touchscreen, owners can schedule a wake-up time for the battery. This means that the cells can be at the optimal temperature for efficiency from the time you start up, plus of course the interior can also be pre-cooled or pre-heated too. The Compass EV's battery comes with an eight year / 100,000 warranty for 70% of its capacity.
Summary
In its earlier forms, the Compass was a marginal player in the mid-sized SUV sector and we can't see that changing any time soon. But it's a much better product than it used to be and the addition of full-EV and improved PHEV tech to the range brings it into line with the way the segment is developing.
You get the impression that customers in the mid-sized SUV market want Jeep to succeed. They may not have bought its cars in the recent past, but they'd like to have been able to credibly consider them. Now, they can once more. This Compass still may not be quite as polished a proposition as some of its segment rivals, but unlike its predecessors, it's now a tough and tempting way to buy into this macho marque.
If you eat squirrel or own a bowling ball, then this model still probably won't be your cup of tea. Yes, even the front-driven versions of this Compass offer more off road prowess than you'd typically get from a car in this class, but this still isn't in any way a Jeep for the wilds. Still, likely owners won't want Wrangler motoring. They'll be after the more zeitgeist-orientated lifestyle SUV vibe that this much improved third generation model is now better equipped to deliver. A Jeep then. But not quite as we knew it.
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