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By Jonathan Crouch

The third generation Jeep Compass mid-sized SUV gains this full-EV variant. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 33

The Compass Electric is in most ways anything but what you expect Jeep to be. But tries to reference its roots wherever it can to help it stand out in its over-crowded class.

Backgroundword count: 139

It's easy to forget that across the Atlantic, the idea of a full-electric Jeep is still something of an anathema. In Europe though, EV sales are the staple driving force of the brand following the introduction of the electric Avenger compact SUV in 2023. Which paved the way for a more typically-sized Jeep EV and this is it, the Compass Electric. It's another European-only EV Jeep - and of course another significant one, even though at first glance, there's nothing particularly Jeep-like in its engineering. Here instead is another outing for the Stellantis STLA Medium platform we've already seen in current versions of the Vauxhall Grandland, the Citroen C5 Aircross and - for saloon folk - in the DS No8. But, as it claimed with the Avenger, Jeep says it's tailored the formula to suit its brand. Let's see.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 308

It says a lot that the only fully SUV-orientated derivative of the current Compass is a full-electric model. That top 4xe version won't be the variant most EV Jeep customers will choose of course. They'll be looking at standard versions which mate this MK3 model's usual 74kWh battery to a front motor offering either 213hp or 231hp. Either way, your Compass EV will officially offer up to 310 miles of range but if that's not enough, you can also ask your dealer about 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. This 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. And if you don't go for the 4xe? Well Jeep says that your Compass Electric will still have more off piste ability than most of its segment rivals. The brand had a say in the design of this car's Stellantis Group-shared 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.

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