Jeep could also be an American model at its core, however its presence has grown nicely past US borders in latest a long time. Prioritizing Europe for the launch of a brand new mannequin speaks volumes about how Stellantis is betting on worldwide markets to scale back reliance on North America. The third-generation Compass will initially hit European nations later this 12 months earlier than increasing to different areas.

Regardless of its evolutionary exterior styling, the brand new Compass is a completely totally different car from its predecessor. It ditches the previous Fiat-Chrysler bones for the STLA Medium platform, which Stellantis has already used for the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, the Opel Grandland, and the not too long ago launched Citroën C5 Aircross. At 179.1 inches, the Compass is 6.1 inches longer than earlier than, distancing itself from the growing older Renegade and the even shorter Avenger we do not get within the US.

Daring New Design

Picture by: Jeep

2026 Jeep Compass (European mannequin)

It wouldn’t be a correct Jeep with out boxy styling, so the brand new Compass stays refreshingly angular in a sea of curvaceous compact crossovers. Flatter headlights flank a recent tackle the eight-slot grille, whereas the X-shaped taillights meet within the center due to a lightweight bar internet hosting an illuminated Jeep brand. The styling hasn’t gone tender since loads of plastic physique cladding and squarish wheel arches stay. You possibly can see it’s larger than earlier than by the enlarged quarter glass, which ought to enhance visibility.

The nicest variations can have a contrasting black roof, matrix LED headlights, and a sunroof. Jeep intends to promote the brand new Compass with two-tone, 20-inch wheels, though for off-roading, you’d be higher off with smaller alloys. Talking of going off the overwhelmed path, a most floor clearance of seven.9 inches is promised for the four-wheel-drive variations, together with 20-degree strategy, 15-degree breakover, and 26-degree departure angles. A water fording depth of as much as 18.5 inches is touted. A hill descent management system can be customary on the four-wheel-drive variations.

Picture by: Jeep

Picture by: Jeep

Whereas the outside might give the phantasm of a facelift, the cabin is a telltale signal we’re coping with a vastly totally different Compass. Even the bottom mannequin has an ultra-wide touchscreen measuring 16 inches, paired with a totally digital 10.0-inch driver’s show. Regardless of the beneficiant display actual property, Jeep hasn’t erased all buttons from the middle console, opting to maintain a handful of conventional controls beneath the infotainment system. A purple change for the usual Selec-Terrain system and the digital parking brake button flank the rotary gear selector.

The elevated footprint has added 2.2 inches of rear legroom, whereas the storage areas all through the cabin can now maintain 1.6 cubic toes. Jeep says the quantity within the cargo compartment behind the usual 40:20:40-split rear bench is up by 1.6 cubic toes to 19.4 cubic toes. Do not search for a entrance trunk within the EV variations as a result of there is not one.

Electrical & Hybrid Energy

Picture by: Jeep

The 2026 Compass will get mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and purely electrical drivetrains for the European market. The bottom mannequin will make do with 145 horsepower from an unspecified gasoline engine geared up with 48-volt tech. The plug-in hybrid will pack 195 hp, whereas the three EVs will vary from 213 hp for the front-wheel-drive mannequin to 375 hp for the AWD-equipped range-topper. The latter encompasses a newly developed rear motor unique to Jeep, enabling the crossover to climb a 20-percent slope even when the entrance tires have zero grip.

Jeep quotes a most driving vary of 404 miles (650 kilometers) on the WLTP cycle for the dual-motor, AWD mannequin, however doesn’t point out the battery’s capability. We all know the front-wheel-drive, single-motor variant with a 74.0-kilowatt pack will cowl 311 miles (500 kilometers) on a single cost. 

Engineers opted for a totally flat underbody, aero-optimized wheels, and lively grille shutters within the entrance bumper to hit these vary numbers. Whenever you’re working low on juice, utilizing 160-kilowatt DC quick charging will take half an hour to replenish the battery from 20 to 80 p.c.

When Can We Purchase It?

Picture by: Jeep

Jeep is already taking orders for the brand new Compass in Europe, the place it is promoting a First Version for a restricted time. Deliveries to clients will begin within the fourth quarter of the 12 months, as soon as manufacturing begins on the Melfi plant in Italy. The corporate is placing a nail within the diesel engine’s coffin by deciding towards promoting the crossover with an oil-burner, which had a market share of over 50 p.c in its heyday in Europe within the early a part of the earlier decade.

There’s no phrase but on the American model, which is anticipated to reach subsequent 12 months, doubtless as a 2027MY. The U.S.-bound mannequin is meant to come back from the Brampton Meeting Plant in Ontario. Nonetheless, Stellantis halted all operations there in February to overview its technique for the Canadian facility. We have reached out to Jeep and can replace the article if we hear again.

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Supply: Jeep