Jeep Compass Trailhawk 2020 Review

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is a genuine small SUV. Trail-rated with a 4x4 drivetrain, it is equally at home on the dirt as it is tackling the school drop-off.

It’s rather unique in that there are not many other compact SUV options available on the market that can actually perform with a high degree of competence off-road. There’s the Suzuki Jimny and, well, not much else when you are serious about taking it off the beaten track. Unless you push up to larger vehicles such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The Jeep Trailhawk is also diesel-powered, which is increasingly rare in this segment, with most other manufacturers opting for small-capacity turbo-petrol powerplants.

The look and feel can’t help but give the Trailhawk’s game away with its chunky off-road tyres, high ride height and red recovery hooks dominating the exterior appearance, and as you step inside the cabin the rubber floor mats remind you that it’s ready for muddy adventures.

Jeep also offers the Compass in trim levels more in keeping with the class norm. The MY20 range now on sale starts with the new Night Eagle with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (129kW/229Nm) and two-wheel drive, moving up to the Limited and S-Limited that have the same engine but use four-wheel drive and begin to move into more familiar off-road territory for the US brand.

How much does the Jeep Compass Trailhawk cost?

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is positioned at the top of the range and is priced from $49,450 plus on-road costs with the latest MY20 series now on sale.

This compares to the entry-level Night Eagle priced from $36,950 plus ORCs, the mid-tier Limited from $42,950 and the new high-spec, sporting-themed S-Limited from $45,950.

The Trailhawk is priced almost $5000 higher than before, but Jeep has added loads more equipment as standard across the Compass range, including driver assist features such as lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, rear parking sensors and forward collision warning ‘plus’.

There is also Jeep’s Uconnect 8.4-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, while the Trailhawk has picked up remote proximity keyless entry as well as leather-appointed seats with electric adjustment (and position memory) for the driver’s position, and lumbar adjustment on both front seats.

Premium paint remains an option at $645, as does the dual-pane sunroof at $1950, but otherwise the contents from the previous option packs are now standard.

Topping the Compass range, the Trailhawk is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (125kW/350Nm) in front of a nine-speed automatic transmission. The torque figure is very respectable and, aided by Jeep’s Active Drive Low 4x4 system, off-road trails can be tackled with confidence.

Ground clearance is 225mm with the off-road-inspired suspension, steel underbody skid plates, hill descent control, a terrain traction management system with ‘snow’, ‘sand’, ‘mud’ and ‘rock’ modes, exposed recovery hooks front and rear, a full-size spare wheel and the aforementioned all-weather floor mats complete the Trailhawk’s rough-stuff equipment.

Relatively short front and rear overhangs enable the Trailhawk 30-degree approach and 33.6-degree departure angles, and it can also handle a wading depth of 480mm.

Why should I buy the Jeep Compass Trailhawk?

Jeep has the market covered if you’re chasing an off-road SUV. Think Wrangler for your more hard-core adventurist, perhaps the petrol-powered Compass for life on the ‘black stuff’ and a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee for more space.

You’d buy the Jeep Compass Trailhawk if you’re looking for the best of both worlds in a compact package. It’s a vehicle you would buy if you love the odd trip off-road, having the peace of mind that it is not a ‘pretender’.

Firstly, it’s relatively light at just over 1600kg, and the 350Nm maximum torque comes in at a reasonably low 1750rpm. With nine cogs spreading the load with the standard automatic transmission, torque is always on offer for those slow bumpy trails.

Further off-road credibility can be accounted for with its low 4.714 first gear which effectively replaces a low-range transfer box – saving a fair amount weight. Further weight saving is found by utilising a break-from-the-norm simple Chapman strut rear suspension.

You may be thinking that all sounds pretty trail-focused, but the reality is that most of its life will be spent on tarmac roads and the Trailhawk is equally at home performing the normal day-to-day duties.

It’s comfortable, has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among its standard kit plus ample room for passengers. It even has self-park!

So we’ve established the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is unique among its small SUV counterparts. For me, there’s its appeal right there: knowing that it can actually perform a task it looks like it should be able to do!

It is very practical, off-road capabilities aside, the convenience of the all-weather floor mats springing to mind when picking up the kids after footy training or a trip to the beach.

It doesn’t give anything away in day-to-day comfort either, with now industry-standard mod-cons available.

The infotainment system and high-grade stereo work a treat and there’s a good mix of power sources ranging from USB and 12V, up to a 150W/230V plug for camping appliances.

The boot space equates to 438 litres but feels bigger, and a full-size spare wheel should appeal to most.

Small families, or anyone, really, who likes taking the path less-trodden should find the Jeep Compass Trailhawk very appealing.

Diesel is the fuel of choice in outback Australia and the Trailhawk would fit right in in that environment, while the reasonably frugal 5.7L/100km official fuel economy figure should please everyone back at home base in the ’burbs.

I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

You kind of forget that it is very capable off-road as it gives nothing away in its everyday driving that even hints at its trail prowess.

It’s comfortable, quiet and zips along the freeway no problem at all.

Other, more road-oriented SUVs may hook through a corner a tad better but the Trailhawk by no means embarrasses itself and actually sits quite flat with a degree of confidence when driven spiritedly.

Unsurprisingly, it’s off-road where it feels most at home, and it performed commendably over the four-wheel drive test track at Norwell Motorplex.

General quality is good but I can’t help but feel it’s just a little shy of the mark of its mainstream rivals.

Perhaps we Aussies have been a bit spoilt with the quality of Japanese and European imports over the years. Little things like the indicator stalk feeling like it can break in your hand at any application lets down the mostly good things about the Compass.

The reality is, most SUVs are merely hatchbacks with high ride heights and seating positions that can’t negotiate mole hills let alone mountains.

But the Jeep Compass Trailhawk bucks that trend, and if it’s adventure off the beaten track you’re after, it’s worth a serious look in its direction.

How much does the 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk cost?
Price: $49,450 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 125kW/350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 150g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)