New Jeep Compass: Australian prices and specs

Jeep Australia has launched the new-generation Compass mid-size SUV in Australia, priced from $28,850.

Pitched as a Hyundai Tucson rival, the 2018 Jeep Compass is available in 2WD and 4WD configurations with manual and automatic gearboxes.

It comes with above-average levels of standard equipment, including seven airbags, and an expected five-star ANCAP safety rating that’s due to be confirmed before Christmas.

All Jeep Compass models are packaged with a five-year warranty, lifetime roadside assist and capped-price servicing.

That said, not all models in the range are fitted with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and none come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

Available with a contrasting black roof, the new Jeep Compass can be had with two four-cylinder engines: 2.4-litre petrol (129kW/229Nm) and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (125kW/350Nm).

In total, Jeep will offer four model lines for the new Compass, including the ubiquitous off-road Trailhawk variant for the first time.

Regular models comprise the entry-level Sport, mid-level Longitude and top-level Limited. The company has previously stated a go-fast SRT model will eventuate.

We tested the new Jeep Compass back in March and rated it 75/100.

The price-leading $28,850 Compass Sport is a 2WD SUV with a manual gearbox and the 2.4-litre four-cylinder. A six-speed automatic will add another $1900.

Standard features on the Compass Sport include digital radio with six speakers, 17-inch alloy wheels, an electric parking brake, reversing camera, Uconnect 5.0-inch infotainment touch-screen with voice control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Jeep Compass Longitude ($33,750) is also front-drive only, exclusively paired to a six-speed manual with the same 2.4-litre engine as the Sport.

But it adds power-adjustable lumbar for the driver, a secret under-cushion stowage cubby, ambient LED interior lights, roof rails and automatic lights and wipers.

There's also an option to adopt a larger 8.4-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus sat-nav and a premium stereo for $2140. This also adds dual-zone air-conditioning.

The Jeep Compass Limited ($41,250) gets all the fruit, including an upgraded nine-speed automatic transmission, 4x4 driveline and the option of a gruntier 2.0-litre turbo-diesel ($43,750).

It also gets a multi-mode off-road gizmo called Selec-Terrain with four modes, along with front/rear parking sensors and the primo 8.4-inch Unconnect infotainment system.

The Compass Limited has 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, LED brake lights, power adjustable and leather-clad seats, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam control and a powered lift-gate.

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk ($44,750) comes exclusively with the turbo-diesel engine and nine-speed auto and features different body work to improve approach and departure angles for off-roading.

As the hero model in the Compass range, it is ‘Trail Rated’ because it achieves five key off-road criteria set out by Jeep, including traction, water fording, manoeuvrability, articulation and ground clearance.

However, as Compass chief engineer Audrey Moore revealed, the Trailhawk only completed the first part of the iconic Rubicon Trail – a hard-core US off-road trek long used to test the mettle of Jeep models including the rugged Wrangler.

Moore noted that due to time pressures the second half of the incredibly challenging Rubicon trail couldn’t be completed.

The Compass Trailhawk gets four underbody skid plates to improve its bush-bashing qualities, signature red recovery hooks, several body decals, a full-size spare wheel and several other rugged features in addition to most of the Limited's luxury features. There's also an optional double sunroof ($1950).

See below for full details and pricing of all features and all models.

The new Jeep Compass is built at the company's brand-new manufacturing plant in India and is expected to attain a five-star (2017) ANCAP safety rating, despite two of the four models not being available with AEB.

In 2018, ANCAP will score cars without AEB more harshly but because the Jeep Compass was tested with the 2017 regulations, it's likely to get five stars across the range.

Lucy McLellan, Jeep's PR and communications head for the Asia Pacific region, told motoring.com.au that it could offer AEB as an option across the range in future.

"We can make running changes while the Compass is in production -- changes to how it’s packaged,” she said.

"We're investigating AEB as an option across the range. Currently its 50 per cent of the range. We're in the launch phase and it's important to monitor and gauge consumer feedback and demand," she added.

2018 Jeep Compass pricing (plus ORCs):
Sport 2WD 2.4-litre petrol manual -- $28,850
Sport 2WD 2.4-litre petrol automatic -- $30,750
Longitude 2WD 2.4-litre petrol automatic -- $33,750
Limited AWD 2.4-litre petrol automatic -- $41,250
Limited AWD 2.0-litre petrol automatic -- $43,750
Trailhawk AWD 2.0-litre petrol automatic -- $44,750

2018 Jeep Compass equipment:
Sport
17-inch alloy wheels
Reversing camera
Seven airbags
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
3.5-inch instrument cluster display
Electric park brake
5.0-inch Uconnect touch-screen radio with voice control
Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
Six-speaker audio with digital radio (DAB+)

Longitude
Roof rails
Automatic headlights
Fog and cornering lights
Tinted privacy glass
Rain-sensing wipers
Fold forward passenger seat

Options:
Premium Audio Package ($2150), including:
8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment
Satellite-navigation
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Dual-zone climate control

Limited
18-inch alloy wheels
Jeep Active Drive 4x4 system
Jeep Selec-Terrain traction management system
Bi-xenon headlights
LED brake lights
Leather seat trim
Heated front seats
Satellite-navigation
7.0-inch full colour instrument cluster display
Powered eight-way driver, four-way passenger seats
Dual-zone climate control

Options:
Two-tone black roof ($495)
Dual-pane sunroof ($1950)
Advanced Technology Package ($2450), including:
Forward collision warning
Lane departure warning
Exterior mirror courtesy light
Powered tailgate
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
Auto high-beam
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

Trailhawk
Unique front and rear fascia
Black anti-glare bonnet stickers
Red recovery hooks
Hill descent control
Underbody skid plates
Full-size spare wheel
All weather floor mats
8.4-inch touch-screen display
Satellite-navigation
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Options:
Dual-pane sunroof ($1950)
Comfort & Convenience Package ($2850), including:
Trailhawk leather seat trim
Powered eight-way driver, four-way passenger seats
Driver seat memory with power lumbar adjust
Heated front seats
Passive entry
Remote Start
Keyless Go

Advanced Technology Package ($2450), including:
Forward collision warning
Lane departure warning
Exterior mirror courtesy light
Powered tailgate
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
Automatic high-beam
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert