While the current, second-generation Jeep Compass’s mini-Grand Cherokee looks impressed at its 2018 launch, its roster of safety equipment didn’t.
Autonomous emergency braking was only available on pricier trim levels, and only as an option.
Now, Jeep’s significantly upgraded its entry-level SUV’s equipment list while also adding two new trim levels.
All Compass models now come standard with autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning, as well as lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Jeep has also, ahem, reoriented the Compass range. The Longitude has been scrapped, while a new S-Limited (above) sits above the Limited, which now costs $1700 more than before.
The base, front-wheel drive model – now known as Night Eagle, like the base Grand Cherokee – has leapt in price. The price-leader manual with its sub-$30k price tag has gone, while the new Night Eagle auto (below) costs $36,950 before on-road costs. That’s $6200 higher than the old Sport auto and just $1000 less than the cheapest Cherokee.
It’s added extra kit, however, even beyond the active safety tech. This includes a larger, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, and ambient lighting.
Conversely, the Cherokee Sport has a smaller, 7.0-inch touchscreen without satellite navigation, smaller 17-inch alloy wheels, and lacks parking sensors and dual-zone climate control.
The naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines carry over unchanged, though the latter is now only available in the flagship Trailhawk.
That means the new powertrains recently revealed for European-market Compass models – including a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder and a dual-clutch automatic – won’t be coming here. European-market Compass models are now built in Italy but ours continued to be sourced from India.
The Trailhawk has also leapt in price by $4700 to $49,450 before on-roads, just $500 less than the V6-powered Cherokee Trailhawk. It now, however, includes as standard the previous model’s Comfort and Convenience Group option package.
Pricing
- 2020 Jeep Compass Night Eagle FWD: $36,950
- 2020 Jeep Compass Limited AWD: $42,950
- 2020 Jeep Compass S-Limited AWD: $45,950
- 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk AWD: $49,450
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The 2020 Jeep Compass Night Eagle, Limited and S-Limited use a naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, which produces 129kW of power and 229Nm of torque. The Night Eagle uses a six-speed automatic transmission, while the Limited and S-Limited use a nine-speed automatic.
The 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk uses a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 125kW of power and 350Nm of torque. It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Night Eagle is front-wheel drive while all other Compass models are all-wheel drive. The Trailhawk also features low-range gearing.
The Compass does the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.3 seconds in Night Eagle trim, 10.1 seconds in the Limited and S-Limited, and 9.7 seconds in the Trailhawk.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Jeep Compass consumes 7.9L/100km on the ADR combined cycle in front-wheel drive Night Eagle trim, 9.7L/100km in the Limited and S-Limited, and 5.7L/100km in the turbo-diesel Trailhawk.
Petrol Compass models run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel.
Dimensions
The 2020 Jeep Compass measures 4394mm long (4398mm in the Trailhawk) and 1819mm wide. Height varies based on trim level – the Night Eagle is 1629mm tall, the Limited and S-Limited 1644mm, and the Trailhawk 1657mm.
Safety
When the Compass was tested by ANCAP in 2017, it received a rating of five stars.
That rating was based on a frontal offset score of 14.93 out of 16 and a side impact score of 16 out of 16. Whiplash and pedestrian protection were rated Good and Good, respectively.
As mentioned earlier, all 2020 Compass models come standard with autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning, as well as lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
They also have anti-lock brakes and front, front-side and curtain airbags, plus a driver’s knee airbag.
Standard Equipment
The Night Eagle features the following standard equipment:
- 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and satellite navigation
- Cloth and leatherette upholstery
- Reversing camera with rear parking sensors
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Six-speaker sound system
- Dual-zone climate control
- Electric parking brake
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Ambient lighting
- Privacy glass
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Cruise control
- Space-saver spare
The Limited nixes the black-painted roof (though it’s a $545 option) and adds:
- Leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- Nine-speaker premium sound system
- Front parking sensors
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go
- Adaptive high beam
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- Power tailgate
- 7.0-inch colour instrument cluster display
- Bi-xenon headlights
The S-Limited adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
The Trailhawk drops back to 17-inch alloy wheels but adds:
- Remote start
- Tow hooks
- Hill descent control
- Four underbody skid plates
- Full-size spare wheel
Metallic paint is a $645 option across the range. A panoramic sunroof is a $1950 option on all bar the S-Limited, where it’s standard.
Servicing
All 2020 Jeep Compass models require servicing every 12 months or 12,000km, whichever comes first. The exception is the Trailhawk, which only requires servicing every 12 months or 20,000km.
In addition to its five-year, 100,000km warranty, Jeep offers five years of capped-price servicing. Each service costs $399.
