Jeep's Compass 4xe blends PHEV tech with a famous badge. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Compass 4xe sees Jeep at last bring plug-in hybrid tech to compete with established rivals in the mainstream mid-sized SUV segment. This isn't the kind of Jeep you'd have ever pictured yourself owning. But might the Compass 4xe be one you could credibly consider?

Background

In the last few years, we've had to get increasingly used to the idea of a Jeep you've the option of plug-in. Not one as a total EV (though that can't be far off) but various models featuring the brand's '4xe' plug-in hybrid tech. We first saw it with the little Renegade, following which '4xe' versions of the Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee and, as here, the mid-sized Compass were launched. The Compass gained the PHEV tech as part of a package of wide-ranging updates made to this 'MP/552'-series model, a car just first launched in 2018. That design couldn't have justified this 4xe variant's quite exalted price point in its original form. But with a smarter look and a much improved interior with considerably enhanced media connectivity, it stands more chance against a tough crop of better established volume brand plug-in hybrid rivals.

Driving Experience

You may have read elsewhere that the Compass 4xe has the same PHEV powertrain as the smaller Renegade 4xe. Well, yes and no. With most plug-in Renegades, the four cylinder 1.3-litre petrol engine this powerplant works with is of the lower-output 130bhp variety, with total output 187bhp. Only the top rarely-chosen Renegade Trailhawk 4xe features this PHEV powerplant mated to that 1.3-litre engine in 178bhp form (total output 237bhp), which is the powerplant combination that features with both Compass 4xe variants. Either way, this set-up features an engine allied to an electric motor on the rear axle, creating a four-wheel drive model with a 6-speed auto gearbox When fully charged, you can expect up to 30 miles of electric-only driving range when the 11.4kWh battery is fully charged. This PHEV variant offers the usual choice of driving modes that you'd expect with a car of this kind, in this case either electric only, Hybrid or one that enables you to save charge for future use in city driving. As you'd expect from the output figure quoted earlier, 4xe performance is quite sprightly: despite this electrified version's extra kerb weight, it'll hit 62mph in 7.5 seconds. And if you want to attempt any kind of off road traversing in a model of this sort, this Compass 4xe would by far be the best choice thanks to its better traction and body clearance from the ground.

Design and Build

Apart from the badgework, there's no external clue here that this Compass is of the PHEV rather than conventional non-electrified variety. This second generation 'MP/552'-series Compass design has been given a darned good recent wash and brush to justify the premium pricing here. There's the usual 7-slot front grille, but flanking it are bolder headlamps now featuring full-LED technology. You can have a contrast colour roof if you want, the tail lights are now also of the LED kind and the trademark trapezoidal arches can house Iarge wheels of up to 19-inches in size, allowing you to make the appropriate statement in the gym car park. What's more significant though, are the changes which have taken place inside, where the cabin gains a new 10.1-inch 'Uconnect' infotainment central screen that works up to five times faster than the previous display and incorporates Alexa integration, automatic over-the-air updates and "Hey Jeep"-activated voice functionality. This monitor also incorporates 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone mirroring wireless technology so that you can connect and access two smartphones at the same time without having to connect a cable Perhaps even more importantly, the interior now looks and feels more European - as perhaps you'd expect now that this model is being built in Italy. There's lots of storage space and two adults will be comfortable on the back seat, though it would be a bit of a squash for three. Out back, there's a 438-litre boot. It's annoying though, that you can't flatten to the rear bench without coming round to the side doors.

Market and Model

Jeep isn't bothering with poverty specs for this 4xe variant, which partly explains why you'll need to think of around £41,000 as a price starting point. Obviously, you'd expect to pay a premium here, not only for the PHEV tech but also for the all-wheel drive system that comes with it. That starting price applies to the least expensive 'Limited' version. The alternative is to pay a fee of just under £44,000, which gets you either plush 'S' trim or the more off road-orientated 'Trailhawk' model. As you'd expect from a PHEV, you can only have 4xe variants with an automatic gearbox, this one featuring six speeds. Equipment across the range includes a 10.1-inch 'Uconnect' central screen with navigation, wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone mirroring and "Hey Jeep" voice functionality. 18-inch glossy black diamond alloy wheels are standard, with 19-inch alloys optional on the 'Limited' model. The headlights and tail lights are of the LED variety and you can have a powered tailgate with a kick sensor. Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist both come standard, along with Traffic Sign Information and Intelligent Speed Assist.

Cost of Ownership

Whether the PHEV 4xe variant will make economic sense for you will of course depend on how much you keep it plugged in. If you don't, you'll merely be driving around in a pretty heavy petrol-powered Jeep and there's nothing very frugal or efficient about that. But use the battery to its fullest and the WLTP figures suggest that, with the entire 30 mile driving range regularly maximised, official fuel economy will be rated at between 141.2 and 156.9mpg. You'll never actually record that in real motoring of course, but you should get fuel figures comparable to those of the old diesel variant: and the low CO2 figure of up to 44g/km will help with your BiK tax payments and VED tax disc. Insurance is group 29E. For reference, the non-electrified 1,3-litre model (which costs £10,000 less) records up to 40.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 152g/km of CO2.

Summary

You sense a clearer perspective with this product now. Its original form, this 'MP/552'-series model was a car from an American brand with Italian parentage and engineering, made in an Indian factory with an outdated dependence on diesel and none of the powerplant electrification the market was looking for. Now, everything from the production plant to the smart 10.1-inch Uconnect infotainment screen is unashamedly Italian and under the bonnet of this 4xe model is the plug-in hybrid tech that customers in this class seem to want. You can't help thinking that all this has come a couple of years too late to really save this model in its segment, but it does provide something appealingly different in this sector. And there's more off piste ability here than you'll find in any rival, though you still wouldn't want to attempt anything too gnarly in one of these. Better to conquer the speed humps of the school run in your Compass 4xe and park it suggestively on the grass verge when it's time for the kids to get out. Jeep means something different these days. And this car encompasses exactly that.

Body Glass

Heated rear window

Rain sensitive windscreen wipers

Deep tint privacy glass

Power windows - driver and passenger express up/down

Rear windshield washer/wiper

Windshield wiper de-icer

Brakes

Electronic stability control

Hill descent control

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist

Energy recovery system

All speed traction control

Rain brake support

AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection

Automatic electronic hold brake

Carpets/Rugs

Cargo compartment organiser

Cargo compartment carpet

Cargo compartment cover

All weather floormats with Jeep logo

Cargo compartment reversible mat

Chassis/Suspension

Off road suspension

Electronic roll mitigation

Communication

E-call

Wireless charging pad

Driver Aids

Electric power steering

Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go

Intelligent speed assist

Active speed limiting device

Traffic sign recognition (TSR)

Selec terrain system with sport mode

Full speed forward collision warning plus mitigation

Active lane management

Parksense front and rear park assist system

Parallel and perpendicular park assist with exit

Driver Information

Tachometer

Outside temperature display

Vehicle information centre

Media centre electronic storage

Instrument panel

Drowsy driver detection

TBM - Connected services (e-call)

Instrument cluster- 10.25" TFT Colour display

160 MPH primary speedometer

English owners handbook

United Kingdom equipment group

Extended Guide in English

Driving Mirrors

Aspherical driver's exterior mirror

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Gloss black exterior door mirrors

Door mirrors: power adjustable and folding, heated with auto folding function and indicators

Embellishment Trims

Front and rear air vents

Speakers in satin chrome silver

Engine

Battery run - down protection

Battery skid plate

E- launch

Electric drive

E-creeping

E-Parking

E-Queueing

CO2 improvement

Entertainment

6 speakers

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

DAB Digital radio

Bluetooth audio streaming

USB host flip

USB A and C type - second row

Global telematics box module (TBM)

Media hub (USB A-C TYPE)

Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto

Exterior Body Features

Body colour door handles

Black window surrounds

Removable short mast antenna

UK front number plate bracket

Lower bodyside cladding in black

Compass badge

Trail rated badges

Rear fascia

Jeep badge

Black side roof rails

Trailhawk hood decal

Exterior door mirrors with heating element

Front fascia/belly pan skid plate

Belly pan - underbody protection

Coastdown and run-in optimization

Skid plate shield - transmission

Skid plate shield - fuel tank

Skid plate shield - transfer case

Skid plate shield - front suspension

Neutral grey exterior accents

Accent/body colour bumpers

Rear side wing doors

4XE badge/e-Hybrid badge

Carry back MHEV

Off road bumper

Partial body cover protection

Trailhawk badges

Gloss Black Grille - Gloss Black Crosshairs

Rear Jeep Badge

Trail Rated

Chromed DLO

Higher ground clearance

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

Third brake light

Rear fog lamps

Daytime running lights

LED tail lights

LED rear lights

Auto high beam

LED front fog lamps

Headlamp off time delay

Smartbeam headlights

Neutral gray headlamp bezels

Headlamp leveling system

LED projector headlamps

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Rear air conditioning and heater vents

Dual zone temperature control with preconditioning capability and heater

Interior Features

Cloth/vinyl upholstery

Coat hooks

Heated steering wheel

Overhead console

Tilt/telescopic steering column

Passenger assist handles

Full length centre console

Cargo tie down loops

Centre console with sliding armrest

Spare wheel storage insulation

12V auxiliary power outlet - 2nd row

Cargo load floor

Dash insulation

Glovebox with damped soft close door

Driver assist handle

Internal rear grab handles

Rear seat armrest with cupholder

Vinyl wrap steering wheel

Leather wrapped gear knob

No Alternator

Height adjustable cargo load floor

Interior Lights

Cargo area lights

Glovebox light

Illuminated door entry system

Front map reading lights

Interior door handle LED lamps

Front map pocket LED lamps

Overhead dome LED lamps

Packs

Ventilated leather seats - Compass Trailhawk

Safety

Front passenger airbag

Front side airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring display

Dual note electric horns

Rear seat belt reminder

Dual tyre pressure - turn changes

Driver's front airbag

Passenger airbag deactivation switch

Front and rear side curtain airbags

Electrical steering column shaft lock

Rear door child protection locks

Jeep call assistance label

Seats

Heated front seats

3 rear seat head restraints

Front head restraints

Child seat anchorage points

60/40 split folding rear seat

Driver seat memory function

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Fold flat front passenger seat

Centre rear 3 point seat belt

Front seats back map pockets

Power 2-way driver lumbar adjustment

Driver seat 6 way manual adjust

6 way manual adjust front passenger seat

Front height-adjust seatbelts

Single front passenger seat

Easy To Clean Seat

Security

Premium security alarm

Capless fuel filler

Occupant detection system

Passive entry and keyless go (Key fob without panic button)

Power locking fuel filler door

Service/Warranty

UK Warranty

Towing

Trailer sway damping

Red rear tow hook

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

Mode 3 cable

Wheels - Alloy

17" diamond cut painted high gloss black alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

No fix and go kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 300

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 11.4

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - City: 52

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 47

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEL: 47

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEH: 47

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - City: 32

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 29

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEH: 29

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEL: 29

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 11.4

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 2.3

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

CO: 0.151

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 43

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 42

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 43

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 70

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 86.5

CC: 1332

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 6 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 2

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 1.8

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 2

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 141.2

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 156.9

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 141.2

General

Coin Series: Trailhawk

Coin Description: T4 GSE 4xe PHEV

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 31E

Service Interval Mileage: 9000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 240

Badge Engine CC: 1.3

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.3

Top Speed: 124

Engine Power - BHP: 240

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 177

Engine Power - RPM: 5750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 199

Engine Torque - NM: 270

Engine Torque - RPM: 1850

Engine Torque - MKG: 27.5

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/60 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 235/60 R17

Tyre Size Spare: N

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4398

Width: 1874

Wheelbase: 2636

Width (including mirrors): 2033

Height: 1659

Height (including roof rails): 1664

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1860

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2475

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 36.5

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1250

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 600

Max. Loading Weight: 615

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 420

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 68

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1230

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.1

Exterior Body Features

Special solid paint

Dual pane electric opening panoramic sunroof

Body colour steel roof

Special Bi-colour solid paint with black roof

Monotone paint

Packs

Park pack - Jeep

Premium Pack - Compass with handsfree tailgate

Paint - Special

Special solid - Solid black

Bi-colour solid - Colorado red with black roof

Special Bi-colour solid - Alpine white with black roof

Special Bi-colour solid - Blue shade with black roof

Trim - Cloth

Cloth/Vinyl - Black

Vehicle Charging

EV/PHEV mode 2 charging cable