Jeep Compass is coming back, on its way from the new plant in Brazil

Compass is coming back

The Jeep Compass is coming back.  Having introduced the world to the idea of a new compact SUV Jeep back in 2007 when it arrived in South Africa.  Alongside the Jeep Patriot, these soon became a sensible vehicle for someone looking for a smaller-size Jeep… and just in time for the compact cross-over SUV boom.

Compass originally launched with the distinctive traditional round-headlamp front-end, and some creative front fender arches which unfortunately gave it the chipmunk cheeks nickname.  Its creativity was replaced by a major facelift in 2011, which saw it adapt regular square (copying new Grand Cherokee) lights and a normal front.  The Patriot stopped local sales in 2015, and the Compass has also recently been removed, leaving the Jeep Renegade to take up the volume sales in its segment.

Now there is an all-new Jeep Compass, and this time there is no bold risk-taking styling – it now looks even more like a proper baby Grand Cherokee.  

The new Compass expands the Jeep brand’s global reach with an unmatched combination of attributes that includes legendary and claimed best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains, premium and authentic Jeep design, superior on-road driving dynamics, open-air freedom, and a host of safety and advanced technology offerings.

The Compass will now also follow other Jeeps’ naming strategy: Sport, Latitude, Limited as the luxury model, and Trailhawk (the red car in the forest, pictured here) as the most-4x4-ish derivative.

New Jeep assembly plant in Brazil

In celebration of the start of production at FCA’s Jeep Assembly Plant in Goiana, Pernambuco, Brazil, the Jeep brand introduced the all-new Jeep Compass.  

A truly global all-new compact SUV, the Jeep Compass will be produced with 17 fuel-efficient powertrain options for consumers in more than 100 countries around the world.

“The most capable compact SUV ever”, the all-new Jeep Compass will be available in North America in the first quarter of 2017 and in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region (including South Africa) starting the second half of 2017.