The all-new 2017 Jeep Compass has made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show - with a promise of best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability and advanced fuel-efficient powertrains.
Available in four different trim configurations: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk, the compact SUV will be built in Brazil, China, Mexico and India - and go on sale in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Featuring a ‘traditional’ Jeep clamshell bonnet with a double break line and centre bulge, a ‘fast’ roofline and muscular arches and shoulders hint at the car’s off-road capabilities. A Gloss Black painted roof adds a ‘unique, premium appearance’ says Jeep and a dual-pane sunroof provides the 'largest opening possible', connecting drivers and passengers to the outdoors and open-air freedom.
At the rear, LED tail lamps are slim and rectangular in shape, flowing into the tailgate which is powered in the 2017 model. The Compass comes with a ‘safety cage’ construction, which includes more than 65 percent high-strength steel. Available safety features include Forward Collision Warning-Plus, LaneSense Departure Warning-Plus, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection, ParkView rear camera, electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and seven standard air bags.
Off-road capability comes courtesy of two advanced 4x4 systems, each of which can send 100 percent of available torque to any one wheel: Either Jeep Active Drive – full-time 4x4 system or Jeep Active Drive Low – class-exclusive full-time 4x4 system with 20:1 crawl ratio.
Both 4x4 systems include the Jeep Selec-Terrain system, providing up to five modes (Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud modes, plus Rock mode on the Trailhawk model). The Compass features a disconnecting rear axle and power take-off unit (PTU), in order to provide 4x4 models with enhanced fuel economy. Jeep Active Drive and Active Drive Low 4x4 systems instantly engage when 4x4 traction is needed.
The Jeep’s ‘small wide architecture’, which includes a fully independent suspension, Koni frequency damping front-and-rear-strut system, and precise electric power steering combine to deliver ‘superior’ on-road driving dynamics, when you’re not trekking off-road.
A total of five engines – three petrol and two diesel – will be offered, depending on market. A 2.4-litre Tigershark I-4 engine has a focus on efficiency and refinement, says Jeep, returning 30 mpg whilst producing 180 hp, and is mated to the choice of three transmissions. These are a nine-speed automatic transmission for 4x4 models, Six-speed manual transmission (4x2 and 4x4 models) or Aisin six-speed automatic transmission for 4x2 Compass models.
Further UK spec has yet to be confirmed although a spokesman for Jeep UK confirmed the Compass will be coming to our shores, with more details to follow in due course.