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By Jonathan Crouch

Jeep's Compass mid-sized SUV becomes more credible in this third generation form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 34

Jeep gets more serious about the important SUV C-segment with this third-generation Compass. There's sharper looks, a smarter cabin and an EV option - but is there quite enough that's really 'Jeep'? Let's see.

Backgroundword count: 194

We all know what a real Jeep looks like - rough, tough and wilderness-ready. The Compass isn't one of those. This instead is the company's offering in the important European SUV C-segment and is a car almost completely reinvented in this third-generation form. It's taken the Compass model line some time to get going in the European market. The curious-looking first-generation model of 2011 is best forgotten and sold poorly. The MK2 version of 2017 was much better, though still lacked the sassy charm of the smaller Renegade model whose sales it was supposed to emulate. A far-reaching update in 2021 made it more class-competitive, but what the Compass really needed was a completely fresh start, which he got with the launch of this MK3 version, introduced in the Summer of 2025. Given that its segment, which accounts for a quarter of all new car sales in Europe, will shortly be almost completely electrified, you'd expect the line-up to include an EV - and thanks to the borrowed Stellantis engineering, that's what we've got. Along with a lot else that will make this, in the brand's own words, 'a key driver for Jeep growth'.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 426

The Stellantis STLA-Medium platform allows for two petrol units with auto transmission - a three cylinder 1.2-litre e-Hybrid mild hybrid unit and a four cylinder 1.6-litre PHEV. Plus a range of full EV powertrains. This third-generation Compass gets all of those. If, given that it's a Jeep, you're wondering about four wheel-drive, you need to be aware that this is something the brand no longer prioritises in the European market. Even a decade ago, the thought of launching any new Jeep model without 4WD was faintly ridiculous. How things have changed. These days, most European Jeep models are now front-driven in their mainstream forms - as this third generation Compass has to be unless you order it in rare flagship all-electric 4xe form. But that doesn't mean the Compass variants most will choose can't be a bit more capable than the front-driven segment norm. Jeep had a say in the design of that STLA-Medium architecture and the result is engineering geared further towards off-road capability. To be specific, there's a suspension lift compared to this model's Stellantis cousins, giving this Compass up to 200mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of up to 470mm. Jeep has also shortened the overhangs, giving an approach angle of 20-degrees, a departure angle of 26-degrees and a breakover angle of 15-degrees. All versions get various drive modes for different kinds of terrain, controlled by chunky red dial on the centre console. Back to those powertrains. The entry-level e-Hybrid mild hybrid model has 145hp, including the assistance of a 21kWh electric motor; while the Plug-in Hybrid variant offers 192hp and works with a 21kWh battery enabling up to 53 miles of EV driving. The fully all-electric Compass meanwhile, will mainly be chosen with a 74kWh battery mated to a front motor offering either 213hp or 231hp. Either way, your Compass EV will officially offer up to 311 miles of range but if that's not enough, there's also a longer-range 96kWh EV variant offering up to 404 miles of range. At the very top of the line-up is the 4xe 4WD Compass flagship model we mentioned earlier. This one gets a second 180hp electric motor on the rear axle that takes total power to 370hp, which makes this Europe's most powerful STLA-based Stellantis model yet. Jeep claims that the 4xe's rear motor can pull the car up a 20% incline even if there's no traction for the front wheels. The 4xe has 10mm more suspension lift - to increase ground clearance and give 27-degree approach, 31-degree departure and 16-degree breakover angles.

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