New Jeep Compass in Australia from third quarter 2021

The new-look 2022 Jeep Compass has been revealed in its European trim, ahead of an Australian launch expected to occur sometime in the third quarter of this year.

As revealed at its China-market unveiling last November, the refreshed Compass gets a subtly updated face with new headlights and a redesigned front bumper, while the profile and rear view remain largely unchanged.

Moving into the cabin reveals a comprehensively overhauled space, with a more premium look, upgraded materials and new technologies.

The entire dash and centre stack is revised, with a stitched pad trim, a new steering wheel, new 8.4 or 10.1-inch floating tablet-style infotainment options, a new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, new gear lever and switch gear, and new door cards with new handles and touch points.

50

That's a lot of 'new', but it's fair to say a buyer walked blindfolded from a 2020 model to the cabin of this 2022 Compass would be hard pressed to recognise it as a mere update.

On the technology front, the 2022 Compass picks up driver drowsiness alert, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

These features make the Compass the first Jeep model in Europe (and likely also in Australia by the time it gets here) with 'level 2' semi-autonomous driving.

50

Powertrains include 96kW and 110kW tunes of Jeep's new 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine, along with a 96kW 1.6-litre diesel. All conventional variants are front-wheel drive.

A pair of 4XE plug-in hybrid EV models are also available, in powerful 140kW and 177kW forms, and both benefit from an eAWD system.

Watch for Australia-specific details to surface in the weeks ahead.

Click into our gallery above for more 2022 Compass photos.

MORE: Jeep's electrification plans for Australia
MORE: All Jeep stories

50

The story to here

November 24, 2020: Jeep has used the Guangzhou motor show to unmask its new Compass in China this week, revealing its mid-life facelift.

Now in its fourth year since this generation arrived, this facelift includes more running changes to the Compass with upgrades focused more inside the car than outside.

50

It’s clear from pictures that Jeep’s designers have completely redesigned the dash, steering wheel and centre stack, with a sleeker vent arrangement complementing the 10.1-inch multimedia screen (up from 8.4 inches) and first-ever 10.25-inch digital cluster.

It’s reported the system will carry Jeep’s latest UConnect 5 system, promising high definition displays, dual Bluetooth connections and smartphone mirroring.

From outside, however, the Compass keeps with convention. Up front is a new bumper that redesigns its lower grilles, sitting under thinner headlights that relocate the daytime running lights.

New alloys round out the exterior changes, but a new Trailhawk variant goes further by repositioning the front fog lights and finishing the front seven-slot grille in matte black.

50

Display models at the show were Chinese market vehicles built in left-hand drive, but Jeep says it "will provide more information on the timing and specifications" closer to the new Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos rival's Australian launch.

For now, the pre-facelift Compass remains on sale, starting at $36,950 for the 2.4-litre automatic Night Eagle before a 2.0-litre turbocharged automatic Trailhawk tops the range at $49,950.

Since the Compass landed in late 2017 it’s been revamped in mid-2020 with the Night Eagle replacing the entry-level Sport. It’s also gained active safety features such as AEB as standard, a larger touchscreen a few other extras.

The Longitude variant disappeared along with the Sport, while the S-Limited justifies its place higher up the range with extra bling.