Night Eagle is new starter Compass

JEEP has introduced a new entry-level variant to its Compass small SUV range. The Night Eagle replaces the $37,950 (plus on-road costs) Launch Edition as the first offering in the American brand’s most affordable model. 

With the arrival of the Night Eagle, the Compass range still comprises four derivatives; the line-up begins with the newcomer, which retails for $39,950 (+ORCs), followed by the Limited, S-Limited, and the flagship Trailhawk, which joined the local market late last year.

The Night Eagle variant can be distinguished by its extensive black detailing, which begins with the black-painted roof and side-window surrounds, extends to gloss-black foglamp bezels, -front grille and -badging, and finishes with the colour-matched 18-inch polished alloy wheels.

A signature design cue of the Jeep Compass – the front fascia – is finished in a combination of black and body colour, of which seven options are available. Owners can choose from Colorado Red, Brilliant black, Galaxy Blue, Grey Magnesio, Hunter Green, Minimal Grey or the (newly added) Pearl White, which will be available to order from July (replacing Bright White).

LED reflector headlamps, Premium LED fog lamps and the Jeep Compass Night Eagle badge – a hallmark of this specification – rounds out the newcomer’s exterior treatment.

Inside, the Night Eagle variant features a black headliner, -low-back bucket seats and – instrument panel (with 7.0-inch TFT colour display in the cluster), all of which is finished off with matching accent/contrast stitching and (Piano black) interior inserts.

Convenience features include a multifunction steering wheel, a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment array (with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, digital radio and sat nav). Apart from a wireless charging pad, both rows have Type A/C USB ports, while the aft passengers are afforded 12V and 230V power outlets.

Keyless entry and push-button start, automatic wipers and headlamps (with auto high-beam control), plus reverse camera are complemented by an electric park brake (with auto hold function), while the Night Eagle’s suite of safety features is supplemented with adaptive cruise control with stop, intelligent speed assist, active-lane management and traffic-sign recognition.

Full-speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus (allied with pedestrian emergency braking), drowsy-driver detection, blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross path detection are standard too.

The Night Eagle is powered by a 129kW/229Nm 2.4-litre Tigershark petrol engine that drives the Compass’ front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Jeep claims the derivative will consume an average of 7.9 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

“The latest-generation Jeep Compass has become renowned for its advancement in interior tech, and distinct focus on comfort and quality. With Night Eagle, this is all wrapped up in a supremely stylish package that… further enhances the appeal to urban adventurers,” Jeep Australia head of product strategy and new technologies Nam Chung said.

All Jeep Compass variants are covered by a five-year/100,000km warranty and Lifetime Roadside Assist (if the vehicles are serviced at the brand’s franchised outlets). Capped-price servicing of $349 for the first five scheduled services – every year/12,000km.

2022 Jeep Compass pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.