2018 Jeep Compass revealed, in Australia late 2017

Jeep’s long-awaited successor to the Compass small SUV has been revealed in Brazil, with the American brand’s all-new entry model scheduled to take over from the nine year-old current-gen Compass – and its Patriot sibling – in Australia in the latter part of 2017.

By the time it’s replaced, the current Compass will have been on sale for a solid decade – long enough to give it pensioner status in the car world.

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Looking a lot like a mashup of the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, the 2018 Compass features a distinctive chrome trim line that separates the windshield, roof and rear glass from the rest of the car, with Jeep’s signature seven-slot grille spanning the gap between its headlamps.

Other Jeep hallmarks are present too, such as a quartet of trapezoidal wheel wells framed in black plastic, and, on the range-topping Trailhawk grade, a set of red tow hooks and an anti-glare bonnet panel.

The interior ditches the old Compass’ outdated cabin furniture for seats and plastics that bear more resemblance to the rest of Jeep’s modern lineup, with a high-mounted infotainment screen and button-heavy steering wheel.

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Fiat-Chrysler Australia has confirmed that the new Compass will arrive in local showrooms in “late 2017”, however precise launch timing and specifications are still top-secret for now.

Globally, the Compass will be offered with a total of 17 powertrain configurations, and will be sold across 100 markets.

Some of those markets will be receiving a diesel powerplant, however it’s unclear whether an oil-burner will be available on Australian-delivered models.

Will the Compass spawn a new Patriot as well? Don’t count on it. With the Renegade already in position as Jeep’s new entry point, the need for a differently-styled twin for the new Compass is removed. Instead, the Compass will fly solo as Jeep’s not-quite-small, not-quite-medium SUV.