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News

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

NEW CARS

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has never been one to rest on its laurels. Three decades after setting the benchmark for American SUVs, the 2026 model storms in with something entirely new under the hood — a Hurricane.

Yes, that’s the name of Jeep’s all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo, a four-cylinder engine with enough tech and torque to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about small displacement. It’s the headline act of the 2026 Grand Cherokee lineup, a year that also brings updated design touches, a new 12.3-inch infotainment system, and a simplified trim structure designed to make choosing your adventure-ready family hauler a little easier.

A Turbocharged Storm in a Grand Shell

On paper, the Hurricane 4 Turbo looks like the kind of overachiever that belongs under a sports sedan’s hood, not a 4,800-pound SUV. The 2.0-liter inline-four churns out 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, translating to an impressive 162 horsepower per liter—a segment record. That’s enough to tow 6,200 pounds and travel an estimated 529 miles on a single tank, all on regular gas.

The secret sauce is Stellantis’ first high-volume application of Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) technology, a race-inspired combustion trick that ignites fuel in a pre-chamber above each cylinder for a faster, cleaner, and more complete burn. The result? More power, fewer emissions, and a broader torque curve — 90 percent of peak torque is available between 2,600 and 5,600 rpm.

Add in a variable-geometry turbocharger, and the Hurricane 4 promises both snappy low-end response and effortless highway passing power. “We’ve created a force to exceed the high expectations that Grand Cherokee owners have for power and refinement,” said Micky Bly, Stellantis’ head of propulsion engineering.

New Face, Smarter Cabin

Beyond the engine, the Grand Cherokee gets a subtle refresh to keep things looking and feeling contemporary. The iconic seven-slot grille gets a sharper edge, flanked by new headlight designs and updated lower fascia treatments. Out back, the rear bumper and trim have been re-sculpted, while new finishes and three fresh paint shades — Steel Blue, Copper Shino, and Fathom Blue — bring a touch of sophistication to Jeep’s adventure-ready posture.

Inside, the cabin steps up its tech game. The new 12.3-inch infotainment system dominates the dashboard, joined by an available 10.25-inch passenger display and the always-welcome McIntosh 19-speaker premium audio system. Materials and finishes have been elevated across the board, particularly in the upper trims, while features like Active Driving Assist, Night Vision, and a 360-degree camera move the Grand Cherokee closer to luxury SUV territory than ever before.

Simplified Trims, Smarter Choices

Jeep has restructured the lineup for 2026 around three primary trims: Laredo, Limited, and Summit. The idea is simplicity — fewer overlapping configurations, clearer value steps, and more standard equipment where it matters.

The entry-level Laredo Altitude now includes the 12.3-inch infotainment system, premium audio, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain 4×4 system, a first for the base model. Standard safety tech is expanded, with Traffic Sign Recognition and Intersection Collision Assist now included.

Step up to the Limited, and you’ll find leatherette seating, Silver Silk exterior accents, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio setup. For those wanting a bit more flair, the Limited Reserve and Limited Altitude packages pile on 20-inch wheels, dual-pane sunroofs, ventilated Nappa leather seats, and a digital rearview mirror.

At the top sits the Summit, which leans heavily into premium territory with Palermo leather upholstery, massaging seats, a suede headliner, and the Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system paired with adaptive air suspension. Add in the McIntosh sound system, and you’ve got arguably the most luxurious Jeep this side of a Grand Wagoneer.

L, PHEV, and Trailhawk: Something for Everyone

Jeep hasn’t forgotten families or eco-minded adventurers. The three-row Grand Cherokee L returns with best-in-class second-row legroom and expanded third-row amenities, while the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid continues to offer a compelling mix of torque and efficiency. The Trailhawk 4xe, in particular, remains the lineup’s off-road king, boasting 470 lb-ft of torque, a best-in-class departure angle, and a 470-mile driving range.

Built in Detroit, Coming Soon

Production of the 2026 Grand Cherokee will continue at Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson and Mack plants, solidifying its Motor City roots. It’s one of four new Jeep models launching in the second half of 2025, alongside the revamped Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, and all-electric Recon.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Cherokee has always walked a fine line between ruggedness and refinement. With the introduction of the Hurricane 4 Turbo, Jeep isn’t just threading that needle — it’s redefining what efficiency and power can look like in a midsize SUV.

If the numbers hold true, this isn’t just another engine swap. It’s a statement: Jeep’s most awarded SUV just found a new way to earn that title — with brains, brawn, and a little boost.

Source: Jeep

News

Desert Queens: Jeep Returns to the Rebelle Rally

There are off-road rallies, and then there’s the Rebelle. No GPS. No pit crews. Just you, your co-driver, a battered map, a compass, and 1,500 miles of Nevada and California’s most brutal terrain trying its best to chew you up and spit you out. It’s the kind of event that would make a Dakar veteran sweat, and the kind of proving ground where Jeep’s legend doesn’t just survive—it thrives.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Rebelle Rally, a decade of dust, daring, and a whole lot of grit. Founder Emily Miller has taken what could have been a niche experiment and turned it into the longest off-road rally in the United States—part endurance test, part navigation gauntlet, and entirely unforgiving. Jeep has been along for most of that ride, and in typical Jeep fashion, they’ve brought the hardware, the pedigree, and more than a few trophies.

And by trophies, we mean dominance: seven of nine overall wins belong to Jeeps, as do five of eight Bone Stock awards (the latter proving the point that you don’t need to modify a Jeep to survive hell on wheels—you just need a Jeep). Oh, and if you think this is just factory-backed heroics, think again: over a third of competitors turn up in personal Jeeps. That’s loyalty you don’t fake.

This year, the Jeep brand is fielding two teams, both behind the wheel of the Jeep Gladiator Mojave. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife on steroids—equal parts brawler, sprinter, and Swiss chalet. Designed to laugh in the face of terrain that makes normal trucks weep, the Mojave is built for exactly the kind of punishment the Rebelle dishes out.

First up: Team Strictly Business (#129), aka Nena Barlow and Teralin Petereit. These two are the Rebelle Rally’s answer to Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff—ridiculously good and absurdly consistent. Between them, they’ve racked up nearly two decades of Rebelle experience, and they’ve taken home the overall and Bone Stock titles in three of the last four years. To say they’re favorites is like saying the Sahara is “a bit sandy.”

Challenging them—and perhaps shaking up the Jeep garage—is Team Fun•Duh•Mentals (#101). Don’t let the cheeky name fool you. Lyn Woodward, an automotive journalist with a knack for turning test drives into war stories, pairs up with Renée Vento, a real estate pro who swaps luxury listings for desert checkpoints like it’s nothing. It’s Woodward’s sixth Rebelle, Vento’s seventh, but their first time as a duo. Add Jeep’s backing and Pennzoil’s Ultra Platinum oil keeping things slick under the hood, and you’ve got a wild card with serious bite.

“The Rebelle Rally is not only the ultimate proving ground for Jeep’s legendary durability and capability, but also a powerful showcase of the passionate Jeep 4×4 owners who compete,” says Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf. Translation: it’s the one event where Jeep doesn’t have to tell you it’s tough—you can see it, mile after mile, dune after dune.

Ten years on, the Rebelle has become less about who wins and more about who makes it. But if history tells us anything, it’s this: if there’s a Jeep in the field, you’d be foolish to bet against it.

Source: Jeep