The new generation Compass is now produced at the Stellantis plant in Italy. Over the 20 years of the model's existence, 2.5 million of these crossovers have been sold worldwide. Now the Compass has become closer to a typical modern family crossover, so I was curious to check how much of the Jeep character remains in it.
New Jeep Compass 2026: 20 cm of ground clearance and signature design
The Compass is built on the STLA Medium platform, which is used by several Stellantis models. However, externally, the kinship is almost unnoticeable. The front retains the traditional seven-slot grille, which in the First Edition has backlighting, and the fully LED headlights have received characteristic arcs.
On the grille, there is a small image of the front of the Wrangler. The massive hood, trapezoidal wheel arches, and a large number of black elements also support the familiar Jeep styling.
The First Edition comes standard with 18-inch wheels. Our car was fitted with Michelin Primacy tires.
For Jeep, not only the appearance matters. The off-road geometry here is quite decent even with front-wheel drive:
ground clearance - 200 mm;
approach angle - 20 degrees;
departure angle - 27 degrees;
stated wading depth - 400 mm.
"For a front-wheel-drive crossover, an honest 20 cm of clearance is quite good," notes the author.
The Compass has become noticeably larger than its predecessor. Length increased by 14 cm, height by 5 cm, and width by 3 cm. The wheelbase grew by as much as 15 cm, which positively affected the space in the second row and the trunk.
Its volume increased from 424 to 483 liters. Under the floor, there remains a large additional space, but there is no standard spare wheel - the car is equipped with a repair kit.
Jeep Compass hybrid: 145 hp and new 1.2 engine
So far, only one powertrain is available for the Compass. It is a 48-volt mild hybrid based on a new 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine producing 136 hp. It is assisted by an electric motor and a starter-generator.
This is not the 1.2 PureTech that previously used a timing belt in an oil bath. In the new engine, the design has been changed, and the valvetrain drive is now chain-driven.
The system's total output is 145 hp. The gasoline engine delivers 230 Nm, and the electric motor - 51 Nm. Torque is transmitted exclusively to the front wheels via a six-speed eDCS6 gearbox with two wet clutches.
The electric motor engages almost from the start of movement and helps smooth out the lag of the three-cylinder turbo engine. In the city, this combination works naturally - it is not always easy to determine the moment of transition between gasoline and electric drive.
The stated acceleration to 100 km/h is 10.3 seconds. During our measurement, the best result was 10.8 seconds. The test was conducted at a temperature of about 32-33 degrees.
145 hp does not turn the Compass into a fast car, but subjectively it drives more lively than one might expect from the numbers.
Real fuel consumption of the Jeep Compass: from 6 to 7 l/100 km
The traction battery has a capacity of only 0.9 kWh, so the Compass will not go far on electricity. Theoretically, the reserve is enough for about 1 km, but the system is designed for constant short charge and discharge cycles.
The stated average consumption is 5.6 l/100 km. During my test, I got exactly 7 l/100 km. During a separate trip to Cherkasy and back at a speed of about 120 km/h, the car showed 6 l/100 km.
There is no separate Eco mode in Selec-Terrain. Auto is used for everyday driving.
Jeep Compass suspension: dense but handles bad roads
The chassis design is quite simple: McPherson struts are installed at the front, and a torsion beam at the rear. The suspension is tuned densely and sometimes seems a bit stiff on poor asphalt.
Some of the impacts are absorbed by the tires with a 60-profile. On broken roads, the Compass allows you to move quite confidently, although I would not recommend quickly jumping over bumps or attacking curbs on 18-inch wheels.
On the highway, the car surprised with acoustic comfort. Even with the gasoline engine running, it is quiet inside. At speeds of 120-130 km/h, the angular body does not create strong aerodynamic noise.
Selec-Terrain: how a front-wheel-drive Jeep drives on sand
The most interesting part of the test was checking Selec-Terrain on sand. After all, this version does not have all-wheel drive, and the very name Jeep creates certain expectations.
We drove almost all the planned sandy sections, including quite challenging ones. The electronics precisely dose the torque and help the front wheels avoid excessive spinning.
However, the system's capabilities are limited by the drive. If the car loses momentum on loose sand, the front wheels gradually begin to dig in. Therefore, it is better to take difficult sections with momentum.
"If there is no inertia, then physics cannot be overcome. The car still gradually stops and digs in," adds the author after testing the Compass on sand.
Jeep Compass 2026 interior: large screen and more space
In the cabin, designers have left many references to the brand's history. Here you can find images of the Willys, the inscription Since 1941, a drawing of a compass with a tent, and even a themed relief on the rubber mats.
In front of the driver is a 10.25-inch digital panel. It is deeply recessed into the dashboard and has a large visor, so the readings are well readable even in bright sunlight.
The central display has grown to 16 inches compared to 10 inches in the previous generation. There is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smartphone charging with cooling, a surround-view camera, and a Focal audio system, the sound of which I liked.
The First Edition seats are upholstered in artificial leather and have developed lateral support, heating, ventilation, and massage. The main complaint is the somewhat short cushion, which would benefit from a few extra centimeters on long journeys.
Thanks to the increased wheelbase, the second row has become more spacious. The legroom has noticeably increased, there is more space in width, and the almost flat floor makes it easier for a third passenger to sit.
Price of the Jeep Compass 2026 in Ukraine
The test Jeep Compass First Edition costs UAH 1,536,000. During the preparation of the review, the importer also announced the arrival of a richer Summit trim starting at UAH 1,607,500.
Based on the test results, I would attribute the Compass's strengths to its expressive design, 200-millimeter ground clearance, economical hybrid powertrain, spacious interior, and good acoustic comfort.
There are drawbacks too. From a car with the Jeep emblem, you want a bit more power, the suspension on broken roads could be softer, and the front seats lack cushion length. Front-wheel drive also sets natural limits on serious off-road.