MY20 Jeep Compass to be pricier

Jeep Australia is about to release an updated 2020 Jeep Compass line-up with a far higher admission price and fewer variants to choose from.

Ahead of the official announcement in a week or so, we’ve obtained the MY20 Jeep Compass price list that shows the new entry-level Night Eagle front-drive automatic variant will open the range at $36,950 plus on-road costs.

That makes it at least $8000 more expensive than the model it replaces, the Jeep Compass Sport FWD manual, MY18 versions of which are currently available for $28,950 drive-away.

Following the axing of the smaller Jeep Renegade, it also means Australia’s cheapest Compass model – and the cheapest Jeep, period – now costs just $1000 less than the base Cherokee (from $37,950).

The release of the MY20 Jeep Compass follows the introduction of a reduced MY20 Jeep Cherokee range earlier this month, when the Night Eagle version disappeared from the mid-size SUV line-up.

Confusingly, however, the MY20 Grand Cherokee range launched in April now opens with a new Night Eagle version (priced from $59,950).

While the MY20 Jeep Compass Night Eagle shares its 129kW/229Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine and 2WD layout with the outgoing Sport (but includes a six-speed auto), the mechanically-identical Longitude disappears.

Further up the four-grade range, the Limited AWD with nine-speed auto continues, but is $1700 pricier at $42,950, while a new S-Limited AWD auto variant is priced $3000 higher at $45,950.

Topping the MY20 Jeep Compass line-up is a sole diesel variant, following the axing of the Limited AWD diesel auto. The Trailhawk flagship brings a carryover powertrain (125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, AWD and nine-speed auto) and a $4700 price hike – now $49,450 plus ORCs.

The MY20 Jeep Compass was announced in North America in September 2019, but brings no design or mechanical changes over the MY19 version (pictured here in Trailhawk form).

Equipment upgrades for the MY20 line-up are yet to be announced for Australia, where Jeep Compass sales are down more than 50 per cent to April this year.

However, additions for Jeep’s updated small SUV in the US are limited to a new Velvet Red Pearl Coat exterior paint color and the new options of Alpine premium speakers and powered/ventilated front seats for upstream variants.

Also now optional for North America’s entry-level Sport grade is the ‘Safety and Security Group’ (gloss-black exterior mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, rear parking sensors, auto wipers and alarm) and the ‘Advanced Safety Group’ (leather steering wheel trim, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, auto high-beam and adaptive cruise control).

Previously, Jeep Australia offered a Safety & Convenience Group option priced at $995 for the base Compass Sport, adding items like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and advanced brake assist.

It’s unclear whether those safety features or others will become standard on the more expensive MY20 Compass Night Eagle that replaces it.

How much does the 2020 Jeep Compass cost?
Night Eagle 2.4 FWD auto – $36,950
Limited 2.4 AWD auto – $42,950
S-Limited 2.4 AWD auto – $45,950
Trailhawk 2.0D AWD auto – $49,450
* Prices exclude on-road costs