Jeep Compass electric review: 650 km range put to the test

Could you cross the Amazon in silence? That is what the new electric Jeep Compass promises, with its 650 km range. Sounds too good to be true? We put it to the test.

Water laps at the sills. Cathedral-like silence, but maximum tension. Will we reach the far bank or end up with a short circuit? Beep, beep, beep... The alarm clock brings the suspense to an end. Crossing a river in the new electric Jeep Compass was only a dream. Yet the American brand makes a bold claim: the SUV can wade through water up to 408 millimetres deep without difficulty.

Off-road ability: an electric SUV that does not mind getting slightly wet

You can picture the Wrangler laughing at the back of the room: it can immerse itself in 850 millimetres of water without drowning... But the Compass comes in an electric version, something its sibling does not offer. In these car-sceptical times, that could make all the difference. And this more politically acceptable character does nothing to compromise the new Compass’s off-road credentials.

Its approach angle stands at 20°, while its departure angle reaches 26°. Ground clearance, meanwhile, comes in at 200 millimetres, ensuring nothing scrapes underneath. There is also Selec-Terrain, which lets drivers select one of four driving modes: Auto, Sport, Snow and Sand/Mud. The accelerator, steering and ESP adjust intelligently to suit.

On the road: the Jeep Compass is firmer than a Peugeot e-3008, but formidable in town

Our setting is an unlikely one for this story: Turin. Needless to say, the latter two modes will be gathering dust today... We therefore leave the hotel car park in Auto. The Compass is sizeable, at 4.55 m long and 1.90 m wide, but the cameras are on hand to prevent an unwanted bodywork repair. Everyone can relax, especially me.

Straight away, its suspension feels stiffer than that of the Peugeot 3008 on which it is based. There is no adaptive damping option to alter the ride. Fortunately, the heavily assisted steering offsets that modest firmness. Its turning circle is tight and visibility is good. It is genuinely impressive. One Pedal mode also adds another layer of convenience.

Interior: a huge cabin with a basic feel

Inside, the driver sits bolt upright and looks out over the flat bonnet. The 3008’s tiny steering wheel has been discarded in favour of a more conventional rim. It is less distinctive, but that is not the only difference: the atmosphere is somewhat more rudimentary than in the French model. Overall build quality is sound, although more hard plastics occupy the cabin.

At least there is no danger of knocking your head or knees, as space is excellent both front and rear. Storage is plentiful too, with 34 litres available in the cabin and 550 litres in the boot. The wide powered tailgate opening and low loading lip make the Jeep Compass particularly practical. There is no storage compartment beneath the bonnet, however. Shame.

Battery and range: are the Jeep Compass’s 650 km claims unrealistic?

A drive around Turin offers an initial insight into the Compass’s high-speed comfort. The suspension settles down, while sound insulation proves effective at 100 km/h. Our test car had the 73 kWh BYD battery, rated for 500 km of WLTP range. At a brisk pace and with consumption of 22 kWh/100 km, expect 330 km in real-world use.

Thanks to the STLA Medium platform, a larger 97 kWh battery supplied by France’s ACC will join the range later, bringing 650 km of range. That would give it a genuinely appealing operating radius. We were unable to test rapid charging, though it is rated at 160 kW on DC power with battery preconditioning.

The sticking point: a route planner charged at €9.90 per month

As narrow as a traditional baguette, the 16-inch touchscreen makes use of its generous width to display a host of information. The Compass’s ergonomics are decent, while shortcuts either side of the display make temperature adjustment straightforward. The quick-access controls along the bottom deserve special praise. Voice control, on the other hand, is overly intrusive.

The Compass is designed for adventure, but only if you are prepared to pay for it. Connected navigation within the Connect Plus pack is available solely during a 12-month trial. After that, you must pay €9.90 each month to access the route planner or ChatGPT, for example. That is quite an irony for an electric vehicle intended for long-distance travel.

Handling: surprising agility held back by a “sponge” brake pedal

Good news for anyone who does not favour the “motorway”: the Jeep Compass feels at home on secondary roads. The winding route to the Basilica of Superga overlooking Turin proves the point. The slightly uncompromising urban damping finally makes sense here, especially as the electric powertrain’s responsiveness in Sport mode cannot be faulted.

Sending 213 hp and 345 Nm of torque through the front axle can even make the tyres squeal. We will have to wait for the 375 hp four-wheel-drive version to assess its traction. For now, its limited body roll is a surprise, particularly compared with the previous Compass. Only the brake pedal remains dreadful, giving the impression that you are simply pressing down on a scrubbing sponge.

Pricing: is the electric Jeep Compass Stellantis’s new cost-buster?

Matrix LED headlights, an illuminated grille, a powered tailgate, heated front seats, steering wheel and windscreen, a reversing camera, semi-autonomous driving... The First Edition trim is lavishly equipped yet sensibly priced. At €46,490, the range-topping Compass sits below the Peugeot 3008 and Opel Grandland, while costing only slightly more than the Citroën C5 Aircross.

It looks like a bargain within the Stellantis group, though not necessarily beyond it. Tesla and Xpeng, for instance, remain more competitive. Still, the Compass has a certain presence that its cousins lack. Jeep DNA could therefore work in its favour, particularly among Italian buyers, who are genuine SUV enthusiasts. Production in Melfi may have something to do with that...

Our verdict on the Jeep Compass

Its firm ride could be an issue, as could its rather uninspiring cabin. Allow me, too, to express some doubts about rapid charging, given our previous unfortunate experiences with the group’s cars... The Compass will therefore not receive top marks. Nevertheless, I was won over by this SUV, which is not merely a straightforward copy of the 3008. It combines hospitality and dynamism without hitting the wallet too hard. The brief has been met.

Jeep Compass First Edition

€46,490

Verdict

7.5/10

What we like

• Distinctive styling
• Generous interior space
• Surprisingly dynamic handling
• Comprehensive standard equipment

What we like less

• A slightly firm ride
• Average interior finish quality
• An infotainment system beginning to show its age
• Rapid charging still needs verification