New Jeep Compass: fresh looks and 403 miles of range for the electric one

This is the brand new Jeep Compass , and this be no ordinary lip-service refresh: Jeep's crammed in more features, more body, more cabin, and more... powertrain. That means three(!) fully electric versions With an impressive range of up to 403 miles, along with a few hybrid models added into the lineup for extra variety.

Let’s check out that fresh set of electricities. There’s a choice between a 74kWh or 96kWh battery: the latter gives you that headline range, but the smaller one is capable of a still-respectable 310-mile distance on one charge.

Both are available in front-wheel-drive, the lower battery providing 210bhp, while the bigger one kicks out 229bhp. That 96kWh version is also available as 4WD via a second e-motor, to punch out an entirely unsensible 370bhp and – get this – up to 2,380lb ft torque (via a 14:1 reducer). Lotta torque, that.

Every electric version of the Compass includes an active grille shutter incorporated within the front bumper, along with wheel air ducts and a completely smooth underside for optimal aerodynamics. Additionally, it accommodates fast charging at speeds up to 160kW, allowing the battery to charge from 20% to 80% in just thirty minutes.

Other variants of the updated Jeep Compass encompass a mild hybrid (referred to as e-Hybrid in Jeep terminology) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which is no longer known as ‘4xe’ but is now designated as 'e-Hybrid Plus' . The hybrids are more powerful than before, too. The mild hybrid has 143bhp, while the PHEV gets 192bhp.

Following in its smaller Avenger sibling's tread-marks, the rugged-looking SUV gets the Jeep-typical seven-slot grille, chunky wheel arches and LED matrix headlights. The carmaker has physically repositioned the vehicle radar to stop it getting knocked in tight spaces, reinforced the bumpers, and added a protective shield to avoid scratched paintwork.

Plus, there's a new suspension package incorporating new springs, dampers and an anti-roll bar. There’s up to 200mm ground clearance, a 20-degree approach angle, 15-degree breakover angle and a 26-degree departure angle for navigating the worst of the UK’s potholes . And if it’s been raining (which it surely will have), the Compass can handle up to 470mm of water-fording depth, too.

Opting for the all-wheel-drive version ups that approach angle to 27-degrees, breakover to 16-degrees, and departure up to 31-degrees. Hill descent control is standard on AWD.

Inside, Jeep's reconfigured the space to give over five extra centimetres of legroom, more boot space (up by 45 litres, to 550) and 34 litres more cubby storage up front. It waxes lyrical about comfort, too.

Plus, the new central display is 16in as standard and sits with a 10in driver display - all supercharged with remote updates. There’s also a head-up display and driver assist features with semi-automatic lane changing as standard.

Jeep is introducing the Compass First Edition (the bright green variant) alongside options for a mild hybrid or a 210 horsepower electric all-wheel-drive version powered by electrons.

The specification includes larger 20-inch wheels, LED matrix headlights, and an electrified tailgate. Inside, you'll find heated seating, multiple off-road driving modes, along with numerous advanced driver assistance systems—each of these elements can also be enhanced further. Pricing for the first edition of the Jeep Compass begins at £35,700 for the e-Hybrid model and goes up to £39,200 for the fully electric variant. Details regarding the plug-in hybrid version’s cost have not been disclosed; however, pre-orders will commence this coming summer. We’ll provide more information once available.