The 2026 Jeep Compass has arrived in Ireland, the start of a new era for Jeep’s five-seat compact SUV.
There’s been a rejuvenation of the Jeep brand since the car giant Stellantis took over. It brought us the brilliant Jeep Avenger in 2023, one of its most competitive cars in Europe in years.
The new Compass is arguably even more important because it’s the larger five-seat family SUV.
The first generation of the Compass launched back in 2018 and I really liked it at the time. But as the years went on it just didn’t age well. So a new Compass was badly needed but is Jeep back in the game in the competitive compact SUV segment?
Jeep Compass Pros/Cons
Pros
Chunky Jeep styling and character
Spacious with a generous boot
Comfortable inside
Cons
Ride can feel firm and unsettled
Relatively expensive, with strong competition in the family SUV segment.
Jeep Compass Video Review
Check out my video review of the new Jeep Compass tested on Irish roads for all you need to know.
Jeep Compass Range Overview
One of the big issues the previous Compass had was around powertrains so the good news is that the new one is built upon a brand new platform shared with the likes of the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Opel Grandland, with much more modern and efficient power options. The engine line-up has been completely revised with a brand new 1.2-litre petrol hybrid (145hp), plug-in hybrid (195hp) and full battery electric version (213hp) with range up to 500 kilometres.
It kicks off at a competitive €42,995 in the entry level Altitude trim, with the choice of a 1.2-litre petrol hybrid or full battery electric.
There is a special Launch Edition like the one tested for a pricier €45,995. The Summit spec starts at €46,495, which is a similar price point to where the plug-in hybrid range starts, making the petrol and electric the better value options overall.
Jeep Compass Design & Interior
The new Compass is longer, wider and taller than the car it replaces. It gets the brand’s familiar chunky styling with iconic design cues like the seven slot grille and squared off wheel arches. Compared to many family SUVs, it has a lot of character. There are also nods to the original Willys Jeep, engraved into the alloy wheels for example.
Jeep has really gone the extra mile with the design of the new Compass. There are a range of colours available with the most eye-catching being Hawaii Green, however there are more demure hues to choose from too like black, grey, brown and blue. Some versions also get an illuminated grille for the very first time, which gives it great road presence. Alloy wheel sizes start at 18-inch, while the Launch Edition sits on 20-inch.
Inside the 2026 Jeep Compass
The interior is a massive improvement on what came before. The design and quality has improved a lot. It feels like a bigger SUV now, and has a nice finish to it. It feels a step up from the Avenger, with more high quality materials. However it still has the rugged edge you expect of a Jeep. There’s a new 16-inch touchscreen that is far from the large screens in a Tesla or the many Chinese SUVs entering the Irish market, however it does the job and is not distracting. The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work perfectly. Useful features include battery preconditioning in the electric Compass to prepare the battery for fast charging. There is also a digital driver display.
Jeep has also created a bespoke button for the Selec-Terrain system, which is like Jeep drive modes. These include Snow, Sand/Mud, Sport and Auto.
Heated front seats and steering wheel come as standard, as well as a parking camera.
The Launch Edition (€45,995) adds matrix LED headlights, illuminated grille and Jeep logo on boot lid, rear privacy glass, roof rails, wireless smartphone charging, power adjustment for the driver’s seat and a powered tailgate.
Jeep Compass Space & Practicality
Being bigger than before means that the new Compass is even larger inside and more practical. There’s generous legroom for rear seat passengers and it’s a comfortable place to sit for adults or children.
The boot is another highlight, offering 550 litres of space. This is not too far off a Skoda Enyaq and features a wide opening as well as generous underfloor storage for charging cables.
What’s the Jeep Compass like to drive on Irish roads?
I tested the new electric Jeep Compass on Irish roads. It uses a 74kwh battery with up to around 500 kilometres of range (WLTP). It has 213hp to the front wheels, and is more powerful on paper than the 1.2 petrol, which has 145hp.
It also benefits from greater smoothness and refinement on the road. It feels quick when you put your foot down, with 0-100km\h in 8.5 seconds. There are paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust the regenerative braking and a full one pedal drive mode.
The electric Compass also gets a multilink rear suspension, said to enhance comfort. However in my experience it feels heavy and lumpy over bumps on rural roads or manhole covers in town, while also feeling fidgety on the motorway, never entirely settling down underneath you.
There is also some electric motor whine, but otherwise it is very quiet and refined. The handling is good, feeling very secure through bends and loads of grip.
A 450-480 kilometre range is possible in everyday driving though expect that this will be less in cold weather and prolonged high-speed motorway driving.
Charging the electric Jeep Compass
11kW AC is included and DC fast charging up to 160kW for what Jeep says is a 0-80% charge in 36 minutes.
2026 Jeep Compass: Verdict
The new Jeep Compass is a big step forward, with its distinctive styling and much-improved interior. It also offers the space and practicality to make it a great family SUV. The electric version is refined and responsive, with a competitive real-world range, though the ride can feel unsettled on Irish roads. With prices starting at €42,995, it faces plenty of strong competition, but its character and capability make it impossible to ignore.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year