Cross the Amazon without a sound? That’s the promise being pushed by the new Jeep Compass electric, with a claimed 650 km range. Too good to be true? We took a closer look.
Water laps at the sills. Cathedral-like silence, but maximum tension. Do we make the far bank, or end up with an electrical short? Beep, beep, beep… the alarm clock kills the suspense. Wading a river in the new Jeep Compass electric was only a dream. Still, the American brand is adamant: this SUV can wade with no issues through water up to 408 millimetres deep.
Wading: an electric SUV that’s not afraid of getting (slightly) wet
You can almost hear the Wrangler chuckling at the back of the room, given it can sit in 850 millimetres of water without swallowing any… Except the Compass offers an electric version, which the Wrangler doesn’t. In today’s more car-sceptical climate, that can genuinely shift the conversation. And being the more politically acceptable choice doesn’t take anything away from the new Compass’s off-road credentials.
Its approach angle is 20°, while the departure angle reaches 26°. Ground clearance, meanwhile, sits at 200 millimetres, helping you avoid scraping underneath. On top of that, Selec-Terrain lets you pick from four drive modes: Auto, Sport, Snow and Sand/Mud. The throttle, steering and ESP then adjust intelligently to match.
On the road: the Jeep Compass is firmer than a Peugeot e-3008, but formidable in town
For this drive, the playground is an unexpected one: Turin. It goes without saying the last two modes are unlikely to see much action here… So we roll out of the hotel car park in Auto. The Compass is a big car (4.55 m long and 1.90 m wide), but the cameras keep watch so you don’t repaint the bodywork. Everyone relaxes-me included.
Straight away, you notice the suspension is stiffer than on the Peugeot 3008 it’s derived from. There’s no adaptive damping on offer to soften or sharpen the feel. No matter: the very heavily assisted steering compensates for that gentle harshness. The turning circle is tight, sightlines are strong, and it’s genuinely impressive. And One Pedal mode adds an extra layer of everyday comfort.
Life on board: a huge cabin, but rather basic
Behind the wheel, you sit bolt upright and look out over a flat bonnet. Peugeot’s tiny 3008 steering wheel is binned in favour of a more conventional rim. It’s less quirky, and not only that: the atmosphere is a bit more no-frills than in the French car. Overall quality is sound, but there’s more raw plastic across the living area.
At least you won’t bang your head-or your knees-because space is excellent front and rear. Storage is plentiful too, with 34 litres available around the cabin and 550 litres in the boot. A wide powered tailgate opening and a low loading lip also make the Jeep Compass genuinely practical. There’s no extra compartment under the bonnet, though. Shame.
Battery and range: are the Jeep Compass’s 650 km just hot air?
Skirting around Turin gives a first clue as to how comfortable the Compass is at speed. The suspension relaxes, while insulation remains convincing at 100 km/h. Our test car had the 73 kWh BYD battery, rated for 500 km on the WLTP cycle. At a brisk pace while using 22 kWh/100 km, expect 330 km in the real world.
Thanks to the STLA Medium platform, a larger 97 kWh pack from French supplier ACC will later join the range with 650 km of range. That kind of radius starts to look genuinely appealing. We couldn’t test rapid charging, however, which is quoted at 160 kW in DC, with battery preconditioning.
The sticking point: a route planner billed at 9.90 € per month
As narrow as a baguette, the 16-inch touchscreen makes use of its width to stack up plenty of information. The Compass’s usability is decent, and shortcuts positioned on either side of the display make it easy to adjust temperature. Special mention for the quick-access buttons along the bottom. The voice control, by contrast, is far too pushy.
The Compass is built for adventure-provided you pay for it. Connected navigation via the Connect Plus pack is only included as a 12-month trial. After that, you have to hand over 9.90 € each month to get the route planner, or ChatGPT, for example. It’s a bit rich on an electric vehicle meant for long journeys.
Handling: surprising agility held back by a “sponge” brake pedal
If you’re not a motorway person, the Jeep Compass feels right at home on back roads. The twisting climb to the Basilica of Superga above Turin makes the point. The slightly fixed damping that can feel stiff in town suddenly makes sense here-especially as the electric motor’s punch in Sport mode is hard to fault.
With 213 ch and 345 Nm going through the front wheels, it can even chirp the tyres. We’ll reserve judgement on traction until the 375 ch four-wheel-drive version arrives. For now, the limited body roll is a surprise, especially versus the old Compass. The only real low point is the brake pedal, which feels awful-like you’re crushing a kitchen “sponge”.
Prices: is the Jeep Compass electric Stellantis’s new cost-buster?
Matrix LED headlights, an illuminated grille, a powered tailgate, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and windscreen, a reversing camera, semi-autonomous driving… Generous doesn’t begin to cover it: the First Edition trim comes in at a controlled price. At 46 490 €, the top-end Compass undercuts the Peugeot 3008 and the Opel Grandland. It’s also only slightly dearer than the Citroën C5 Aircross.
A strong deal within Stellantis… though not necessarily beyond it. Tesla and Xpeng, for instance, remain sharper on value. Even so, the Compass has a presence its cousins don’t. That Jeep DNA could play in its favour, particularly with Italian buyers who are true SUV devotees. Production in Melfi likely helps, too.
Our view on the Jeep Compass
The firm ride may not suit everyone, and the cabin can feel a bit plain. I’d also flag a few doubts about DC rapid charging, given our previous unhappy experiences with cars from the group… So the Compass doesn’t earn top marks. Still, I’ll admit this SUV won me over: it isn’t a lazy copy of the 3008. It offers space and punch without hammering your wallet too hard. Job done.
Jeep Compass First Edition
- Price: 46 490 €
- Score: 7.5
Verdict
7.5/10
We like
- Distinctive styling
- Generous interior space
- Surprising agility
- Comprehensive standard equipment
We like less
- Ride comfort is a bit stiff
- Average perceived finish quality
- Multimedia system starting to feel dated
- DC rapid charging needs checking
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