The original Jeep Compass made its debut with a front-wheel-drive layout on its lower trims, launching in the same year as the smaller Jeep Renegade, which followed in 2013. In 2022, Jeep introduced the Commander (known as the Meridian outside the U.S.), a model not available in the American market. A year later, the Avenger was launched, another model that won’t be sold in the United States.
Interestingly, the Jeep Avenger’s powertrain setup differs depending on the fuel type: the gasoline version offers all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the electric version is limited strictly to front-wheel drive (FWD). In contrast, the newly redesigned Jeep Compass flips this arrangement. Jeep recently confirmed to Motor1 that the gasoline-powered Compass will only be offered with front-wheel drive. If customers want a vehicle with power delivered to all four wheels, they will need to opt for the fully electric variant.
The electric Compass stands out as the most powerful model in the lineup, featuring a dual-motor system that delivers a combined output of 375 horsepower. Meanwhile, the lower-powered electric Compass trims are front-wheel drive only, with power ratings of 210 and 230 horsepower. According to Jeep, the AWD electric Compass uses a unique rear motor not found in other Stellantis group vehicles. This is notable since the new Compass is built on the STLA Medium platform, which it shares with other models such as the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, as well as the Opel Grandland.
The dedicated rear motor in the AWD Compass produces a peak power of 66 horsepower and instant torque of 232 Newton-meters, allowing the vehicle to climb steep inclines of up to 20 percent even when front-wheel traction is lost. The electric motors are powered by a sizable 96-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing an impressive range of up to 600 kilometers on a single charge. Additionally, the new electric Compass supports DC fast charging at up to 160 kW, enabling a rapid recharge from 20 to 80 percent battery capacity in just 30 minutes.
The electric Compass is not Jeep’s only model to offer AWD exclusively in its EV versions. For instance, the Wagoneer S sold in the United States is offered only as a fully electric vehicle, and the upcoming Recon will likely follow suit. On the other hand, Jeep has currently halted development of a new Compass model for the North American market, leaving the future availability of the Compass there uncertain.