During the presentation and test of the Jeep Compass e-Hybrid, the company made it clear to me: this is a preliminary step towards our ultimate goal, which is to build only 100% electric cars.
And taking a look at the range of the North American manufacturer, it does not seem that it is a bluff, since all its vehicles, except the Gladiator, but the Wrangler, have an electrified version -one of every three vehicles it sells is electrified-. In addition, its first electric car will arrive shortly, as announced by the CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares in March of this year – this is what it will look like.
design and interior
You can recognize this hybrid version of the Jeep Compass by the ‘e’ that looks behind. Spot. Because otherwise it is the same as any Compass, which is why it also incorporates the changes of the 2022 range: new bumpers and grille and headlights with new strokes. By the way, the latter with Led technology in all its functions.
The same goes for the interior, which except for the ‘e-auto off’ button on the console – and for the hybrid system information displayed on the infotainment system screen – is identical. It is worth noting the giant step that the Jeep Compass has taken in terms of materials used; a huge difference is noticeable if you compare the restyling with the one launched in 2016.
But wait, because it will be easier with the Jeep Compass e-Hybrid Upland. It is a special edition that is characterized by taking care of the planet -it was in 2020 when the firm expressed its intention to protect the environment-. How? Well, with the use of recycled materials in the interior, such as the seat upholstery, the headlining or the mats, made from plastics collected in the ocean -such as the Fiat 500 Hybrid and Panda Hybrid-. Also with the use of ecological paints such as the one used in the grill and in some elements of the passenger compartment. It’s called ‘MetaKrome’ and it has that copper color that blends perfectly with the ‘Matter Azur’ of the bodywork.
As for the space available in the cabin, the passengers in the second row have enough, both for the head and for the legs. And the good thing is that the load, despite equipping a battery, is only reduced by 14 liters, since it goes from 438 to 424 liters.
Engine and consumption
The Jeep Compass e-Hybrid in the test is powered by a system made up of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric motor. The latter is integrated into the gearbox, which is double clutch and has seven speeds, and adds a power of 20 CV and a torque of 55 Nm. In total, the hybrid SUV produces 130 hp and boasts 240 Nm.
The good thing about this version, and unlike the aforementioned 500 Hybrid and Panda Hybrid, is that this electric motor can move the vehicle on its own. It works with a 48 V system and a lithium-ion battery with a 0.8 kWh capacity that is responsible for giving energy to the motor to start driving in electric mode, as well as to perform other actions such as parking automatically without the need to ignite the combustion block.
I start and I am struck by the fact that it is carried out completely in silence; it does so as long as the battery has a charge – during the Jeep Compass e-Hybrid test it always has.
As I mentioned before, it yields 130 hp. It is enough power to move it and you will not need more as long as you drive on the highway and, of course, in the city. But in overtaking on secondary roads and additions, especially loaded, you may miss a little more punch.
The driver cannot choose whether the car runs with the electric motor, the gasoline engine only, or both at the same time; it is the system that automatically chooses the appropriate one adapting to the type of driving.
According to Jeep, this non-plug-in hybrid version reduces consumption by 15%. I don’t know if it’s true, but what is real is that during the almost 180 kilometers of the route, the average consumption was very close to the official one, which is 5.6. To do this, the car regenerates energy when braking and when no pedal is pressed, although in this case I have not noticed any retention. By the way, it does not have any regenerative braking option that some of its rivals have type B driving mode or different retention levels.
Behavior
There is also no possibility of equipping all-wheel drive, and it is a shame for the type of vehicle it is, but, above all, for the brand to which it belongs. Its height to the ground does allow it to get into paths of not much difficulty.
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On asphalt it stands out for its comfort on board, although this suspension configuration makes the body roll when cornering. I was also struck by the good soundproofing that has been achieved and how the transition from the combustion engine to the electric motor and vice versa is almost imperceptible.
Price and rivals
The Jeep Compass e-Hybrid is available from 35,150 euros. Its price is higher than that of almost all its rivals, even despite having less power -Kia Niro: 30,200 euros (141 hp), Ford Kuga FHEV: 32,328 euros (190 hp), Kia Sportage HEV: 33,924 euros (230 hp ), Honda HR-V: 30,500 euros (CV) and Toyota CH-R: 26,550 euros (122 CV) -, except in the case of the Toyota RAV4 (35,675 euros) and the Hyundai Tucson (37,825 euros), both with about 100 CV more power (218 CV and 230 CV, respectively) than the North American.
conclusion
The best
Actual average consumption. Soundproofing. On-board comfort.
Worst
There is no four-wheel drive option. Fair power in some cases. High price compared to its rivals.
