Tag Archives: Compass

Jeep started production of the new Compass

The Jeep Compass is growing up — again. Jeep today marked the start of production for the all-new, third-generation Compass, built on Stellantis’ state-of-the-art STLA Medium platform at the Melfi plant in southern Italy. It’s a fitting homecoming for a nameplate that’s quietly become a global cornerstone for Jeep, racking up over 2.5 million sales worldwide since its debut.

This new Compass isn’t just another refresh. It’s a clean-sheet SUV that combines Jeep’s off-road heritage with electrified sophistication — and, perhaps most importantly, it’s built for every kind of driver.

Powertrain Freedom: From Hybrid to 375 Horsepower EV

Jeep calls it “freedom of mobility,” and for once, that’s not marketing fluff. The new Compass lineup spans from a 145-hp e-Hybrid to a 195-hp plug-in hybrid, all the way up to a fully electric AWD version pumping out up to 375 horsepower. The BEV variant boasts up to 650 kilometers (404 miles) of range — a figure that, if accurate in the real world, would make it one of the most capable EV SUVs in its class.

Underpinning all versions is the STLA Medium platform, a flexible architecture designed to handle everything from combustion-assisted hybrids to full battery-electric powertrains. That modularity gives Jeep the freedom to tailor performance, efficiency, and cost to regional markets — a must in an era when electrification is reshaping what “SUV” means around the globe.

Capability Meets Efficiency

Despite its urban polish, this Compass remains a Jeep at heart. Ground clearance tops 200 millimeters, approach and departure angles are optimized for real-world off-roading, and the SUV can ford up to 480 mm of water.

Jeep claims a drag coefficient of 0.29, an impressive number for a compact SUV, achieved without sacrificing the upright proportions that make a Jeep a Jeep. The Selec-Terrain system and a suite of 360-degree sensors enhance grip and confidence, whether it’s navigating snow-packed switchbacks or parallel parking in Milan.

Built at Melfi: The Heart of Jeep in Europe

The Melfi plant has long been Jeep’s European stronghold. Since 2014, it has produced the Renegade, Compass, and the pioneering 4xe plug-in models, churning out more than 2.3 million vehicles to date.

Now, Melfi’s ultra-flexible assembly line allows Stellantis to adjust its output on the fly — up to 100 percent battery-electric, if demand calls for it. It’s a tangible expression of Jeep’s “freedom” philosophy, extended from the trail to the factory floor.

Covering 1.9 million square meters and employing 4,600 workers, Melfi is a marvel of modern manufacturing. Its processes span from stamping and painting to battery assembly, all under one roof. Sustainability is built in: solar panels, wind turbines, and a biomethane recycling system are already in play, with the goal of generating 54 MW of renewable energy — enough to cover 70 percent of the plant’s needs by 2030.

Designed, Engineered, and Built in Italy — Sold Everywhere

When production ramps up, the new Compass will ship to 60 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. That global reach underscores Jeep’s confidence that its latest C-segment SUV can satisfy both traditionalists and tech-forward buyers alike.

The formula feels right: iconic design, broad powertrain choice, serious off-road credentials, and genuine efficiency.

The Takeaway

In a market crowded with crossovers claiming to do it all, the new Compass might just be one of the few that actually can. Built in Italy but engineered for the world, Jeep’s latest SUV is more than a mid-cycle refresh — it’s a statement of intent: freedom, electrified.

Source: Jeep

2026 Jeep Cherokee Marks Return with Hybrid and EV Powertrains

After saying goodbye to the fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee in 2023, fans of the iconic mid-size SUV didn’t have to wait long for its return. Jeep is set to bring back the Cherokee for the 2026 model year, and early images and details reveal a modern, electrified evolution of the beloved off-roader.

The all-new 2026 Cherokee signals a bold new chapter in Jeep’s design direction, borrowing visual cues from the recently unveiled Wagoneer S and the refreshed Compass that debuted in May. At first glance, the upcoming Cherokee proudly features the brand’s signature seven-slot grille and a rugged silhouette that maintains its trail-ready DNA. While rear-end shots haven’t surfaced yet, industry insiders expect it to echo the sleek styling of the new Compass.

Built on Stellantis’s versatile STLA Large platform, the 2026 Cherokee is poised to offer a wide range of powertrains. Jeep has already confirmed a hybrid variant, but gasoline-only and fully electric models are also on the table. This platform is also shared with the upcoming Alfa Romeo Stelvio, opening the door to high-performance potential.

One tantalizing possibility is the inclusion of Stellantis’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, capable of delivering up to 510 horsepower. While such output may be ambitious for a mid-size SUV like the Cherokee, it hints at Jeep’s willingness to blur the line between practicality and performance.

The electric variant, meanwhile, may take inspiration from the Wagoneer S, which features a 100.0-kWh battery pack and dual motors producing a hefty 600 horsepower and 617 lb-ft of torque. However, expectations should be tempered; the electric Cherokee is unlikely to match those figures, instead offering a more balanced mix of power and efficiency.

Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf expressed confidence in the new model’s place in the lineup. “The all-new Jeep Cherokee headlines our efforts to deliver more product, innovation, choice, and standard content to customers than ever before,” he said. “It will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream lineup.”

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee will make its official debut later this year, with a full market release expected in 2026. Unlike the current Compass, which skipped the U.S. market in its latest iteration, the new Cherokee is confirmed for American roads—a move that will likely please loyal Jeep enthusiasts.

As Jeep modernizes its lineup for an electric future, the return of the Cherokee stands as a symbol of reinvention without forgetting its rugged roots.

Source: Motor1

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2026 Jeep Compass

Jeep has finally launched the next-generation Compass, the first photos of which we saw a few days ago. This is the third generation of this model, which will be offered for the first time as an all-electric model.

The new Compass is built on the STLA Medium platform, which it shares with several models from the group such as the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, Opel Grandland, DS 7 and the new Citroen C5 Aircross. It is 15 centimeters longer than its predecessor, and buyers will, in addition to the choice of a two-tone body, also get a better equipment package that allows the car to overcome even the most difficult obstacles. The ground clearance can be increased by an additional 20 cm, which allows the car to pass through water 50 cm deep. Some of the equipment that comes with the new Compass are LED matrix lights, a large glass roof, 20-inch wheels, etc.

The interior of the car also received more technology and better equipment. In addition to the standard equipment, which can be said to be enviable, the new Compass also received a wide 16-inch multimedia system display and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, and for fans of classic buttons, there is also a red selector for selecting the transmission.

When it comes to the powertrain, the new Compass will be offered as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric. The European version will be available with a gasoline engine and a mild 48-volt hybrid system for a total of 145 hp, while the more powerful plug-in hybrid option will offer 195 hp. The most powerful option will be the all-electric Compass with 213 hp (single electric motor and FWD) and a 74 kWh battery that will allow a range of up to 500 kilometers (WLTP), or 315 hp (two electric motors and AWD) and a battery of unknown capacity that will provide a range of up to 650 kilometers (WLTP).

Source: Stellantis