Jeep Compass: Aussie range confirmed

The new-generation Jeep Compass small SUV will arrive in Australian showrooms from December 2017, with a predicted starting price of around $26,990.

Taking on the likes of the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX, the Jeep Compass is built in India and is offered with petrol and diesel engines, manual and automatic gearboxes, plus 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines.

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All models get an automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, a reverse-parking camera, seven airbags and an electric push-button park brake as standard. Ground clearance measures 196mm. The new small SUV will launch in four levels of trim:

As previously reported however, there's also a chance of a fifth model, a high-performance Jeep Compass SRT. It won’t be powered by a V6, due to engine bay space. But a high-output turbo four-cylinder generating up to 200kW from sister brand Alfa Romeo is a possibility.

Jeep Compass Sport
The entry level model in the Jeep Compass range, the Sport model, is a front-wheel drive small SUV powered by the company's 2.4-litre Tigershark four-cylinder petrol engine (129kW/230Nm). The $27K model will be hooked up to a six-speed auto, with an optional six-speed manual also offered.

On top of the above-mentioned standard features, the Jeep Compass Sport will also get a 5.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and voice controls, plus a 3.5-inch digital trip computer wedged in the instrument cluster.

Jeep Compass Longitude
The mid-range Jeep Compass Longitude gets the same kit as the Sport, (FWD, 127kW, six-speed auto only) and adds "style and comfort" according to the company. That means roof rails, automatic headlights, fog and turning lamps, rain-sensing wipers, tinted windows, plus ambient LED interior lighting, powered lumbar adjust on the driver's seat and a secret under-seat cushion storage cubby.

Jeep Compass Limited
The luxury model in the range is the Jeep Compass Limited, which is equipped with a four-wheel drive system dubbed Jeep Active Drive 4x4. It also includes the Jeep Selec-Terrain traction management system, essentially a small dial that allows for on-the-fly 4WD mode switching; Auto, Sand, Mud, Snow.

The Limited models come with a nine-speed automatic transmission paired with the same petrol engine as the above models or an optional 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (125kW/350Nm). It adds front and rear parking sensors and an automatic parking assistant, and comes with a larger 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment setup with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality.

A nine-speaker BeatsAudio stereo is part of the package, as are larger 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, LED brake lights, sat-nav, power adjustable heated front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and large 7.0-inch instrument panel display.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk
The hero model in the Compass range is the Trailhawk, which is designed to "conquer some of the toughest trails on the planet" according to Jeep. It gets an Active Drive Low 4x4 system for more serious off-roading, along with a new Rock mode for its Selec-Terrain control system.

It's exclusively available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and gets 20mm more ground clearance than its brethren, at 216mm. Different front and rear body styling results in better approach (30 degrees), break-over (24.4 degrees) and departure angles (33.6 degrees).

Both all-wheel drive systems can send up to 100 per cent of available torque to any one wheel, says Jeep, and Trailhawk extras include red recovery hooks, a black anti-glare bonnet decal, four underbody skid plates, a full-sized spare wheel, all-weather floor mats and hill descent control.

It's not yet clear whether powered tailgates or dual-pane glass roofs will be offered here, but it's highly likely.

The new-generation Jeep Compass will be sold in over 100 countries globally and is manufactured in Brazil, Mexico, China and India.

"Built around the world for customers everywhere, the Jeep Compass raises the bar in the compact SUV segment," said the Head of Jeep brand at FCA Australia, Guillaume Drelon.

"The all-new Jeep Compass enters Australia at such a pivotal time for the brand, bringing with it unmatched attributes that include benchmark off-road capability, on-road driving dynamics, fuel-efficient powertrains and a range of advanced technology and safety features."