New Jeep Compass changes direction

The Jeep Compass has received a significant boost to its cabin and a mild exterior update that the US off-road brand will be hoping improves the slow-selling small SUV’s fortunes in Australia. 

Shown at the Guangzhou motor show in China after being leaked earlier this month, the 2021 Jeep Compass is due to arrive Down Under next year with a fresh look courtesy of slimmer LED headlights, a new air intake below the seven-slot grille and redesigned fog lights.

The range-topping Jeep Compass Trailhawk also picks up a reshaped front bumper, new black and red decals on the bonnet and different alloy wheels.

Most work with the upgrade has focused on the cabin, which now has a more upmarket and high-tech look and feel with additions such as a 10.1-inch digital instrument panel slotting in behind a new-look steering wheel.

The centrepiece of the revised interior is a larger 10.2-inch tablet-style touch-screen infotainment system, which is expected to use Jeep’s latest Uconnect 5 operating system for improved connectivity and general useability.

Underneath the new LCD touch-screen is a redesigned centre console, a new gear shifter and wireless mobile phone charging pad. New front seats have been fitted as well.

It’s not yet clear if new engines will be offered in Australia or whether the range will use carryover 2.4-litre petrol (129kW/229Nm) and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (125kW/350Nm) four-cylinder powerplants, driving through six-speed and nine-speed automatic transmissions respectively.

The Chinese-market Jeep Compass comes with the choice of two smaller turbo-petrol engines – a 1.3-litre unit with seven-speed dual-clutch auto, and a 1.4-litre with nine-speed torque-converter auto.

The North American SUV specialist claims the Jeep Compass is the brand’s best-selling model worldwide.

However, the Compass has failed to strike a chord with Aussie buyers, partly due to the relatively high pricing which starts at $36,950 plus on-road costs and tops out just below $50,000 – in a segment where buyers can get new metal in the low-$20,000 price bracket.

Jeep says the Compass deserves to be more popular in Australia, where it currently has a segment share of just 0.7 per cent.

The Compass’ 537 sales this year (to the end of October) are miles behind league leader Mitsubishi ASX’s 10,835 units, which equates to a 14.5 per cent share of the category.