All-New Jeep Compass Gets Bigger, Bolder, and Fully Electric

Jeep is making a bold move with the global debut of the third-generation Compass, and it is not starting in the United States. Instead, Europe gets first dibs, signaling how serious Stellantis is about growing the brand beyond its American roots. This strategy aims to reduce dependence on the North American market and tap into the rapidly changing needs of international buyers.

At first glance, the new Compass may seem like a gentle evolution of the current model, but underneath the skin, it is a whole new vehicle. Jeep has ditched the old Fiat-Chrysler architecture and adopted Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform. This platform is already used for other models like the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, the Opel Grandland, and the Citroën C5 Aircross. At 179.1 inches long, the new Compass is 6.1 inches longer than before, creating more space and presence while distinguishing itself from smaller models like the Renegade and the Avenger.

Even with the change, Jeep has stayed true to its boxy styling. The new Compass has flatter headlights, a reworked version of the brand’s classic eight-slot grille, and sharp, X-shaped taillights connected by an illuminated light bar carrying the Jeep logo. The squared-off wheel arches, plastic body cladding, and enlarged quarter glass not only improve visibility but also reinforce the rugged look people expect from the brand.

Jeep is offering upscale design touches for higher trims. Expect a contrasting black roof, matrix LED headlights, and a panoramic sunroof. While you will see 20-inch two-tone wheels on show models, off-roaders may prefer smaller alloys for better performance on rough terrain. For those who venture off the beaten path, the Compass delivers with 7.9 inches of ground clearance on four-wheel-drive models. Approach, breakover, and departure angles are 20 degrees, 15 degrees, and 26 degrees respectively, and it can handle water depths up to 18.5 inches. Plus, every four-wheel-drive version comes with hill descent control as standard.

Step inside, and it becomes clear this is not just a mid-cycle refresh. The cabin now features a 16-inch central touchscreen, paired with a 10.0-inch fully digital instrument cluster. Jeep kept a handful of physical controls below the infotainment screen, which include buttons for climate, the red Selec-Terrain switch, and a rotary gear selector. The new layout balances modern tech with tactile usability.

Interior comfort has taken a leap forward too. Rear passengers get 2.2 inches of additional legroom, and cabin storage has increased to 1.6 cubic feet. Cargo space behind the 40:20:40 split rear seats has grown by 1.6 cubic feet to a total of 19.4 cubic feet. However, electric versions of the Compass do not come with a front trunk.

For Europe, the 2026 Compass comes with multiple powertrains: a mild-hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and three fully electric versions. The entry-level model offers 145 horsepower from a gasoline engine with 48-volt technology. The plug-in hybrid bumps that up to 195 horsepower. On the electric side, the front-wheel-drive model makes 213 horsepower, while the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant pushes out 375 horsepower thanks to a newly developed rear motor exclusive to Jeep. That high-power configuration even allows it to climb a 20 percent slope with zero traction up front.

Jeep says the dual-motor electric Compass can go up to 404 miles on a full charge using the WLTP cycle, although the battery size has not been disclosed. We do know the front-wheel-drive version with a 74.0-kilowatt battery pack can achieve 311 miles of range. Engineers achieved this through aerodynamic wheels, active grille shutters, and a flat underbody. If you need a quick recharge, a 160-kilowatt DC fast charger can top the battery from 20 percent to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

Orders are now open in Europe for the First Edition model, with deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter once production begins at the Melfi plant in Italy. Diesel engines are officially gone, marking a clear break from Jeep’s past. In the early 2010s, diesel versions accounted for more than half of all Compass sales in Europe. That era is over.

There is still no official launch date for the American version, but it is expected sometime next year as a 2027 model year. That vehicle will be assembled at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, but Stellantis paused operations there in February to reevaluate its future plans for the site.