Jeep details design changes found in updated 2021 Compass

Jeep Australia has launched the updated 2021 Compass, featuring a completely revamped interior and more options now coming as standard.

At a presentation this morning, the US firm revealed in more detail how the design team has evolved the 2021 model from its predecessor.

While this year’s Compass is not all-new, having launched the second generation back in 2017, the facelift does bring with it a wealth of differences in the cabin, making the car a more premium offering in its segment than the outgoing 2020 version.

“With this Compass it is amazing what has been achieved, it rides like no other in its segment thanks to its frequency adjusted damping,” says Kevin Flynn, MD of Jeep Australia.

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New interior

“It will go to the supermarket quite happily and take teenagers back to university or high school, and of course do the school runs and holidays – but that is almost what is expected. What can it do beyond that is all about the experience and freedom, which this packs in bucketloads.

“It’s capable and composed for going off-road – this vehicle can go through anything and offers so much more than a traditional SUV just ticking the normal boxes.

“The interior of this car especially is phenomenal. I love the detailing and outside styling as well, and the safety features added – which have really taken it to another level.”

With the 2021 update there are now five variants of the Compass – although the 80th Anniversary Edition is limited to just 160 units, and although Jeep would not confirm how long the Launch Edition will be around for, the carmaker did say it’s shelf life will be shorter than the others.

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New interior

Design

The refreshed interior is where the latest Compass differs the most from the last, featuring softer materials and a sleek, simple and modern approach to give a more premium feel to the cabin.

A chrome metal accent runs along the dash to emphasise the width and adds “textural richness”, next to a contrasting leather panel which can be found in black or tan leather depending on the variant.

“It has not been over designed, far from it…it has been designed to celebrate functional and technical details,” says Winnie Cheung, interior chief designer.

“There is an intuitive, strategic placement of controls – kept simple for drivers and passengers to be able to appreciate their surroundings.”

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2021 Compass

The differences between the MY20 and MY20 are marked. Where the 2020 was clustered, the 2021 has a higher-quality look, and touchpoints are said to be easier to use.

On the outside too, there are some notable alterations compared to the outgoing model.

While the updated Compass features the same seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches which make it obviously a Jeep, it has more modern, sleeker horizontal lines throughout – and, in fact, the whole front section of the car is different.

Said grille has a black finish, it has new LED headlights too, fresh tail-lights, the fog lights have been moved upwards – as have the daytime running lights – and the front air intake now runs the full width of the car,

The lower fascia and wheel arches are painted in body colour in S-Limited guise only, retaining black plastic in all other variants.

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2021 Compass

Features

Noteworthy changes to the Compass as standard include a revised and bigger 10.1-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch TFT digital dash (10-inch in Limited Guise), wireless charging with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and automatic headlights and high beam.

Additionally, Jeep’s Connect 5 system is now five times faster – speeding up route calculation and voice recognition.

The 360 degree camera can be found as an option on the S-Limited but is standard on the Trailhawk.

It has more than two times more storage as well, redesigned doors, and new driver and front passenger headrests as well as heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable seats – though it should be noted that while heated seats in the second row can be had overseas, they are not coming to the models available Down Under.

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Rear passengers do however, benefit from new centralised vents and USB ports for the back row.

Rounding out the changes is a powered tailgate on the Limited variant and above, also with kick function.

All Compasses retain the marque’s Active Drive 4x4 system (including 4WD lock and 4WD low), hill descent control and rear axle disconnect. Additionally it benefits from Jeep’s Selec-Terrain Management, offering four modes – plus a ‘rock’ option in the Trailhawk.

According to Jeep, the extremely stiff and rigid chassis is composed both on and off-road, and the updated model sports best-in-class ground clearance (225mm in S-Limited and Trailhawk guise) and approach/departure angles.

For more standard and optional features, read our pricing and specs story here.

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Engines, transmission, fuel economy and dimensions

The 2021 Compass’s powertrains remain the same as in the MY20, with the exception of the 2.0L turbo diesel which utilises the AdBlue urea-based system.

Jeep’s familiar ‘Tigershark’ naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine still produces 129kW and 229Nm.

In the case of the Compass Launch Edition, this shove is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

For the Compass Limited, 80th Anniversary, and S-Limited, drive is sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The second engine is a 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, and is only available in the range-topping Trailhawk.

For the petrol-powered versions, average fuel consumption is rated from 7.9L to 9.7L/100km on the ADR combined cycle, depending on the variant.

Size wise, 2021 Jeep Compass is 4398mm long, 1819mm wide, 1657mm tall, and has a wheelbase measuring 2636mm.

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Previous Compass interior

Safety

Proving the updates to the 2021 Compass aren’t only skin-seep, Jeep has added several new safety features to the refreshed Compass range, including:

Pricing and availability

So far the Launch Edition and S-Limited variants are the only ones to have arrived on Aussie shores – but Jeep has confirmed the 80th Anniversary Edition is expected to land next month, with the Limited and Trailhawk following by the end of the year.