Next-Gen Jeep Compass Revealed - Images Leaked Ahead Of Official Unveil
The next-generation Jeep Compass has quietly made its global debut through leaked images, giving SUV enthusiasts a first glimpse of a sharper, more electrified version of the popular model. While international markets will see the official launch between 2025 and 2026, Stellantis has officially confirmed that this model will not be launched in India, a decision that reflects a mix of rising development costs, export challenges, and evolving pricing dynamics.
Design Evolution: A Rugged Icon Goes Sleek and Green
The leaked visuals, surfacing from Brazil, reveal a Compass that maintains its rugged identity while taking on a more sophisticated urban persona. At the front, the design is dominated by slimmer LED headlamps framing Jeep’s classic seven-slot grille.
The boxy wheel arches and black cladding keep the SUV’s off-road-ready character intact, while a vibrant lime-green colour and an “e” badge on one of the models strongly suggest the arrival of a fully electric variant. Industry insiders expect this version to come with either 73 kWh or 97 kWh battery packs, pointing to serious EV capabilities.
Step inside and the cabin tells a similar story of modernisation. The dashboard now features a larger touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by rotary climate controls and metallic accents for a more upmarket look.
Higher variants seem to include a head-up display and a dual-pane sunroof, while the seats show off contrast stitching that suggests upgraded upholstery. The off-road-oriented Trailhawk version stands apart with its signature front skid plates and blacked-out styling details.
What Lies Beneath: From Hybrid to Full Electric
Built on Stellantis’ new STLA Medium platform, the updated Compass is expected to come with a range of powertrains. There will likely be a mild hybrid version combining a combustion engine with electric assistance, a plug-in hybrid variant with an extended electric-only range, and a fully electric model offering both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. This versatile platform also supports a range of advanced driver-assistance systems and enhanced connectivity features, although such cutting-edge tech comes with a significantly higher production cost, one of the key reasons the model won’t make it to Indian showrooms.
Why India Is Off the Map This Time
Jeep’s decision to skip the Indian market with its new Compass wasn’t taken in haste. A major factor was the unexpectedly high cost of the STLA Medium platform. Originally budgeted more conservatively, development costs have soared to nearly 1.7 times the initial estimate, now demanding an investment of over $400 million. In a market where Jeep’s Compass currently sells only around 270 units a month, down from a peak of 2,000,the business case simply didn’t add up.
Adding to the complications was the collapse of an export strategy. Stellantis had initially planned to manufacture right-hand-drive versions of the Compass and certain Peugeot SUVs in India for export to Southeast Asian markets like Malaysia. However, weak demand forecasts for both models in those regions forced the company to abandon this plan. Without export volumes to spread the cost, the India business stood to bear the full brunt of the platform’s expensive rollout.
Pricing was the final nail in the coffin. Had Jeep brought the next-gen Compass to India, it would likely have been priced above ₹30 lakh. That would have positioned it not against mass-market rivals like the Mahindra XUV700, but premium German offerings, a space where Jeep has struggled to gain ground.
What Lies Ahead for Jeep India
While the new Compass won’t be a part of Jeep’s future in India, the brand isn’t retreating from the market. It will continue selling the current-generation Compass with regular updates to keep it relevant.
More importantly, Jeep is betting on a more cost-effective future with plans to launch the Jeep Renegade by 2026–27. This upcoming model will be built on Citroën’s CMP platform, which is far cheaper to produce and localise. At an expected price range of ₹15–20 lakh, the Renegade aims to help Jeep recover some of its lost sales volume.
At the premium end, Jeep will continue to assemble models like the Meridian and Grand Cherokee locally, targeting niche buyers looking for American SUVs with distinctive styling and capabilities. But the numbers speak for themselves, the Mahindra XUV700 outsells the Compass by a staggering 40:1 margin. Jeep is now looking to balance aspiration with affordability.
Where the Compass Is Going, And Where It's Not
Globally, the next-gen Compass is set to enter European markets first in 2025, followed by a North American launch in 2026. Production will be based in Stellantis’ Melfi plant in Italy. For countries that require right-hand-drive configurations, the company is expected to rely on other international manufacturing hubs, rather than Indian facilities.
While the leaked photos show a future-ready Compass evolving with the times [sleeker, smarter, and greener], its absence in India is telling. The decision reflects a growing reality in the auto world: legacy brands can no longer rely on emotional equity alone. As development costs rise and global priorities shift, automakers are increasingly choosing financial prudence over sentimental ties.
For Jeep, the future in India may no longer revolve around the Compass. Instead, its hopes now ride on a new generation of locally viable SUVs that can capture hearts, and market share, in a price-conscious landscape.