Competitive pricing for Jeep’s new Compass

JEEP’S all-new Compass crossover will hit Australian showrooms this week priced from $28,850 plus on-road costs as the off-road brand hopes to capture the attention of buyers with competitive pricing, a unique design and genuine off-road ability.

Although classified as a small SUV, Jeep Compass chief engineer Audrey Moore told Australian journalists at an event in Melbourne this week that the new model will compete more directly, in terms of performance and capability, against some of the strongest sellers in the mid-size crossover segment.

“Our main competitors that we were going after was the (Volkswagen) Tiguan, (Kia) Sportage and (Hyundai) Tucson – so the biggest ones from a volume perspective as well as a performance perspective, they were in line with where we wanted to make sure we were equal to or better,” she said.

Straddling the line between small- and mid-size crossover, the new Compass measures 4420mm long, 1820mm wide, 1650mm tall with a 2640mm wheelbase – making it one of the largest in the compact SUV segment and nearly as big as the Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5 and Renault Koleos.

Jeep says it sits somewhere between its compact Renegade and the properly mid-size Cherokee in its model line-up.

Pricing and specification also positions the new Compass against mid-size SUV fare, with the four-grade range including two engine choices (one petrol and one diesel), two- and four-wheel drive, and either a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Kicking off at $28,850, the six-speed manual Sport is powered by a 129kW/229Nm 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels.

A six-speed automatic transmission adds $1900 to the asking price of the Sport.

Standard equipment across entry-level variants include 17-inch wheels, a reversing camera, seven airbags, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 3.5-inch instrument cluster display, six-speaker sound system, digital radio, electric park brake and 5.0-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment display with Bluetooth and audio streaming.

Stepping up to the Longitude (from $33,750) – which uses the same drivetrain as the Sport paired solely with the six-speed auto – adds roof rails, automatic headlights/wipers, LED interior lighting, foglights and window-surround detailing.

However, buyers of the Longitude can also opt for the $2150 Premium Audio Package that increases the infotainment screen to 8.4 inches, as well as adding satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and dual-zone climate control.

Limited variants are offered the choice of the 2.4-litre petrol engine for $41,250 or a 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit priced at $43,750, both paired to a nine-speed automatic sending power to all four wheels.

As standard with the inclusion of four-wheel drive, the Limited comes with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain drive mode dial that allows drivers to optimise the Compass’ abilities between Sand, Mud, Snow or Auto settings.

Limited grades also gain front and rear parking sensors, nine-speaker Beats sound system, 18-inch wheels, bi-Xenon headlights, LED tail-lights, power adjustable and heated front leather seats, and the all upgrades from the Premium Audio Package.

However, safety equipment including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert will set buyers back an additional $2450 for the Advanced Technology Group pack.

A two-tone black roof and dual pane sunroof can also be optioned on Limited grades for $495 and $1950 respectively.

The flagship of the launch Compass range will be the $44,750 off-road ready Trailhawk, which is underpinned by the 2.0-litre diesel engine, nine-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.

According to Jeep, the “Trailhawk delivers best-in-class off-road capability” thanks to its raised suspension and ride height, beefed-up underbody protection, full-size spare wheel, Active Drive Low 4x4 system, Rock surface driving mode, improved approach and departure angles and hill decent control.

As standard, the Trailhawk is equipped with the 8.4-inch infotainment unit, but buyers will have to opt for leather seats, power-operated and heated front pews, remote start and keyless entry in the $2850 Comfort & Convenience Group pack.

The dual pane sunroof and Advanced Technology Group options packages are also available on the Trailhawk for $1950 and $2450 each.

Exterior colours include Bright White, Brilliant Black, Minimal Grey, Hydro Blue, Colorado Red, Grey Magnesio, Mojave Sand and Bronze Metallic.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia head Jeep brand Guillaume Drelon said the Compass will fill a hole in the company’s line-up.

“The all-new Jeep Compass enters Australia at an incredibly pivotal time for the brand and provides us with a great opportunity in a segment that we have been vacant from for some time,” he said.

“The compact-SUV segment in Australia accounts for approximately 20 per cent of the SUV market which offers an opportunity for improved market share.

“Compass raises the bar in the compact-SUV segment with new levels of style, advanced technology, safety features, and most importantly, capability – it’s a versatile vehicle that will relish in Australian conditions and as such we are confident that it will be well received by the market.”

2017 Jeep Compass pricing*

Sport FWD 2.4 petrol	$28,850
Sport FWD 2.4 petrol (a)	$30,750
Longitude FWD 2.4 petrol (a)	$33,750
Limited AWD 2.4 petrol(a)	$41,250
Limited AWD 2.0 diesel (a)	$43,750
Trailhawk AWD 2.0 diesel (a)	$44,750

*Excludes on-road costs