Australian first drive: 2022 Jeep Compass S-Limited 4x4

The updated 2022 Jeep Compass is here, bringing a lightly refreshed look on the outside and an almost all-new feel in the cabin.

Jeep will be looking to the Compass to give its growing sales figures a shove – while its 2021 numbers of 533 up to August are improved on last year’s effort of 331 for the same period, the Compass still lags well behind the big Grand Cherokee’s 1917 sales year-to-date.

Priced from $37,950 before on-road costs, the five-seat Compass starts with the new Launch Edition and ranges through to the top-shelf Trailhawk at $51,250 before on-road costs.

Indeed, price is the biggest challenge for the Compass. Although well-equipped, the Indian-built Compass competes on price with larger offerings like the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5.

In the case of our $46,950 S-Limited test car, powerful high-specification variants in the above ranges – with price tags in the range of $45,000 to $50,000 – become hard to ignore.

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Our S-Limited tester came with a number of Mopar-listed accessories, described further down.

Power in the Launch Edition, Limited, 80th Anniversary and S-Limited models is provided by the same 2.4-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated (no turbo) petrol engine that was offered previously, producing 129kW and 229Nm.

At the top of the range, there’s a more compelling 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre diesel in the Trailhawk – but for that engine, its trim upgrades and enhanced off-roading prowess, you pay a good deal more.

Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic is standard in the Launch Edition, but every other variant is treated to the surety of all-wheel drive and a more efficient nine-speed automatic.

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On test here is the high-spec S-Limited, which, like its siblings, is treated to new looks inside and out.

Outside, there’s refreshed styling at the front with slender new headlights, a subty redesigned take on the iconic seven-slot grille, and a mean new bumper design with deep-set fog lights and a large lower air dam.

Body-coloured arches and skirts are new and add a more premium look, while changes at the already stylish rear end are limited to a body-coloured bumper.

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The 2022 Compass's real party trick is that fresh interior: it's a significant upgrade, at an almost 'new generation' level.

Comprehensive barely describes the work done to the Compass's interior, and it shows how quickly the segment has moved on.

Our tester also serves as the company’s Mopar accessories demonstrator in Australia, so it’s been equipped with moulded splash guards front and rear, ‘High Gloss Granite Crystal’ 18-inch alloy wheels, satin-chrome tyre valve caps, a Kicker “premium” speaker upgrade with midbass and tweeter, a cargo net and tray in the boot, and Thule roof racks.

Inside is where the Compass has had its most significant makeover work done. Step in blindfolded and you’d be forgiven for seeing this as an all-new car instead of a tasteful refresh on the second-generation model that launched in 2018.

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Rear space is great for a small SUV on the larger side of the segment, but it still can't compete with a medium SUV – many of which compare well on price.

Interior and space

Not one old surface has survived the update. There’s a sporty new steering wheel, a new three-tier dashboard with molded and stitched accents, and completely redesigned door panels.

Fit and finish is top shelf for the segment, with soft-touch surfaces throughout the first row – right down to rubberised vent dials and well-damped switches in the dash.

Big new high-resolution displays are also featured, in the form of a tablet-like 10.1-inch screen atop the dash, and a new 10.25-inch instrument display behind the steering wheel.

Comprehensive barely describes the work, and it shows how quickly the segment has moved on that Jeep has had to push through such unusually extensive work at the halfway mark.

Because the Compass comes close to the midsize segment, interior space is generous. There's decent leg and headroom in the rear for average-height adults, although the body's relatively narrow design – remembering that this is still technically a 'small' SUV – means the second row is really only ideal for two adults or a trio of a small kids.

The 438-litre boot is huge for the segment, and the second seating row has a 40/20/40 split-fold design, allowing the centre seat to fold down as a generous arm rest or to fit long items through from the boot. Ideal for skis, obviously.

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The Compass boasts a generous 438 litres of storage space with the rear seats up – although a seats-down figure isn't offered.

Safety & technology

Tech in the Compass is boosted further with key safety upgrades, including adaptive cruise control that can come to a complete stop with traffic, along with intelligent speed assist, lane-keep assist and traffic-sign recognition. These join the existing autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-departure warning.

The UConnect infotainment remains a reliable, user-friendly package, bolstered now with the sharper and faster new displays. Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto is a cherry on top, both running smoothly and bug-free in our tester.

Standard kit on our S-Limited includes dual-zone climate control, powered front seats (eight-way for the driver, four for the passenger), and a hands-free powered tailgate.

From the options list, you can add a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and a 360-degree camera system. (A regular reversing camera is standard.)

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The 2022 Compass benefits from clear, high-resolution and fast new displays.

On the road

Mechanically, the ‘new’ Compass is unchanged for this mid-life update. While the styling and interior quality have been improved, the Compass’s 2.4-litre petrol four remains a fairly middling thing in the performance stakes.

The smooth-shifting nine-speed auto keeps the engine’s torque band in reach, and power is largely adequate for most driving. That gearbox is intelligent enough to grab the right gear most of the time, although it can’t do magic – demand power suddenly while cruising and you’ll be left waiting a moment for it to catch up, shifting down a few gears before powering away.

Like most small naturally-aspirated petrol engines, the 2.4 petrol is no powerhouse, but its pairing with the nine-speed auto makes it a fairly quiet and refined experience.

The S-Limited benefits from all-wheel drive in the form of a usually on-demand '4x4' system that also boasts a 4WD Low setting, which – while not a proper low-range system – locks the Compass into full-time all-wheel drive and first gear. Drive modes available for this setting include Sand, Mud, and Snow, along with an automatic setting.

On this first drive, we didn't get the opportunity to go off-road (a short booking and lockdown life), but we'll have a crack at that in the near future.

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Fuel consumption for the S-Limited 4x4 is listed at 9.7 L/100km on the combined cycle.

Our driving on this test saw mostly highway work, where the official claim is 7.4 L/100km. In all, our testing came to an 8.5L/100km average.

Ride comfort is a highlight of this model, at least, with the smaller wheels and bigger-profile Continental ComfortContact CC6 225/55 tyres helping the Compass to see off most potholes and bumps.

We say skip the standard 19s and their thinner 235/45 rubber – they look good, but these smaller hoops and fatter rubber makes for a more comfortable ride.

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VERDICT

For many buyers, this is the most important point: the Compass is a spacious offering in the small-SUV market, veering more to the midsize segment.

That means there’s better-than-average room for rear passengers, and the big boot is one of the most generous in the class. That's hard to ignore for any family.

For buyers seeking more power and towing capability, the 2.0-litre turbo diesel is an easier recommendation, but you’ll have to step up to the $51,250 Trailhawk.

When it comes to interior quality, space and ride comfort, the Compass S-Limited is a compelling option – but its price can make it hard to recommend.

2022 Jeep Compass S-Limited 4x4 specifications