Jeep Compass 2025: The morning fog was just lifting off the winding mountain roads outside Pune when I first laid eyes on the 2025 Jeep Compass.
Parked in a deliberately photogenic spot, with its Granite Crystal metallic paint catching the early light, the redesigned SUV looked markedly different from the outgoing model.
After six years with only minor refreshes, Jeep has finally given its volume seller a ground-up overhaul, and my first impression was that the wait might have been worth it.
Jeep Compass 2025 A Design Evolution That Honors Tradition While Breaking New Ground
The 2025 Compass represents Jeep’s most significant design evolution in years, yet it remains instantly recognizable as a Jeep. The iconic seven-slot grille remains, but it’s now wider and more upright, flanked by slimmer LED headlights that give the front fascia a more sophisticated appearance.
These aren’t just any LEDs either – they’re adaptive units on higher trims that adjust their beam pattern based on oncoming traffic and steering input.
“We wanted to create something that looked unmistakably Jeep but pushed our design language forward,” explained Pratap Bose, Head of Design at Jeep India, during the product presentation.
“The design brief was ‘premium ruggedness’ – maintaining the tough, capable image that Compass owners love while adding a level of sophistication that appeals to buyers cross-shopping with European brands.”
The hood features more pronounced power bulges, while the front bumper incorporates functional air curtains that reduce turbulence around the wheels, improving both aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The signature trapezoidal wheel arches remain, but they’re more subtly integrated into the overall design.
In profile, the most noticeable change is the slightly extended wheelbase, which has grown by 40mm to 2,676mm. This modest increase yields significant interior benefits without compromising the Compass’s manageable urban footprint.
The character line running from the headlights to the taillights sits higher than before, creating a more substantial presence, while the floating roof design (available with contrast black finish on select trims) adds a contemporary touch.
Around back, the horizontally-oriented LED taillights are slimmer and extend into the tailgate, creating a more premium appearance. The rear bumper features integrated reflectors and skid plates, highlighting the vehicle’s off-road credentials without looking overly utilitarian.
The new Compass offers eight exterior color options, including three new shades: Crimson Red, Atlantic Blue, and the eye-catching Tuscany Gold that was prominently featured during the press drive. Wheel sizes range from 17 inches on base models to impressive 19-inch diamond-cut alloys on the range-topping Trailhawk and Overland variants.
Cabin Revolution: Interior That Redefines Segment Expectations
If the exterior represents evolution, the interior is nothing short of revolutionary. Gone is the somewhat dated, plasticky cabin of the outgoing model, replaced by a thoroughly contemporary space that genuinely surprises with its quality and attention to detail.
The centerpiece is the new “horizon” dashboard, which emphasizes width through its horizontal lines and seamlessly integrated air vents. Material quality has taken a massive leap forward, with liberal use of soft-touch surfaces, genuine aluminum accents, and, on higher trims, real wood inserts that wouldn’t look out of place in a vehicle costing twice as much.
The steering wheel, now heated in top variants, features a more ergonomic design with repositioned controls that fall naturally under your thumbs.
Behind it sits a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that offers four distinct display modes, including a dedicated off-road screen that shows vehicle tilt, wheel articulation, and other terrain information.
The center stack is dominated by a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Jeep’s latest UConnect 5 system, which now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The system responds with tablet-like fluidity and features a customizable home screen that allows users to arrange tiles according to their preferences.
Below it, physical climate controls remain – a thoughtful decision in an era when many manufacturers are burying these functions in touch menus.
“We deliberately retained physical controls for critical functions,” noted Nipun Mahajan, Head of Jeep Brand for India. “Our customer research consistently shows that while buyers appreciate technological advancement, they still prefer tactile controls for functions they use frequently while driving.”
The center console has been completely redesigned, featuring a wireless charging pad cleverly positioned at a slight angle for better visibility of notifications, dual cup holders that can accommodate larger bottles, and a deep storage bin with USB-A, USB-C, and 12V power outlets.
Seat comfort, a relative weakness in the previous model, has been significantly improved. The front seats now feature 12-way power adjustment including four-way lumbar support in higher trims, along with heating and – for the first time in this segment – ventilation functions.
The extended wheelbase primarily benefits rear passengers, who now enjoy an additional 25mm of legroom and more supportive seats with a better recline angle.
Cargo capacity has increased marginally to 438 liters with the rear seats up and 1,559 liters with them folded – not class-leading, but adequate for most family needs. The hands-free power tailgate, previously available only on top variants, is now standard from the mid-spec Longitude trim upward.
Technology Suite: Connected, Protected, and Intuitive
The tech package represents perhaps the most significant upgrade for the 2025 Compass. The aforementioned UConnect 5 system runs on an Android-based operating system with five times the processing power of its predecessor, enabling split-screen functionality and connected features previously unavailable in the Compass.
The Jeep Connect app allows remote vehicle functions including engine start/stop, climate pre-conditioning, door lock/unlock, and vehicle locator. The system also offers over-the-air updates for both infotainment features and certain vehicle systems – a first for Jeep in this segment.
The standard nine-speaker audio system delivers respectable performance, but the optional 12-speaker Alpine premium audio system on higher trims provides genuinely impressive sound quality with crisp highs and substantial bass response.
On the safety front, the 2025 Compass introduces Jeep’s most comprehensive driver assistance package yet. The Highway Assist system combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering to enable Level 2 semi-autonomous driving on highways.
Additional features include traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitoring, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
“Safety wasn’t an afterthought – it was a primary design consideration from day one,” explained Ram Kumar, Chief Technical Officer for Stellantis India. “The new Compass incorporates over 70 active and passive safety features, many of which are segment-firsts.”
Perhaps most impressive is the new 360-degree camera system with washers that keep the lenses clean in off-road conditions. The display offers various views including a simulated “transparent hood” function that shows the terrain immediately in front of and underneath the vehicle – invaluable for serious off-roading.
Powertrain Evolution: Electrification Makes Its Compass Debut
Under the hood, the 2025 Compass offers three powertrain options, including – for the first time – a hybrid variant. The base engine remains a revised version of the familiar 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged petrol producing 160 PS and 250 Nm of torque, now featuring improved thermal management and reduced friction for better efficiency.
The 2.0-liter MultiJet II diesel carries over with minor modifications, still producing 170 PS and 350 Nm of torque. Both conventional engines come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic optional for the petrol and a 9-speed automatic for the diesel.
The headline powertrain, however, is the new 1.3-liter turbocharged petrol hybrid system, which combines a 130 PS gasoline engine with a 44 PS electric motor for a combined output of 190 PS.
The hybrid system uses a 48V architecture with a small 0.8 kWh battery that enables limited electric-only operation at low speeds and provides torque assist during acceleration. The system is paired exclusively with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
During my test drive through varied terrain, the hybrid impressed with its refinement and responsiveness. The electric motor’s instant torque delivery masks any turbo lag, while the transition between power sources is nearly imperceptible.
Jeep claims a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the standard petrol engine, with my brief test returning approximately 14.5 km/l in mixed driving – impressive for a vehicle in this class.
The diesel remains the torque champion and the preferred choice for those planning frequent highway trips or towing, while the base petrol engine, though adequate, felt somewhat outclassed by the more sophisticated hybrid.
On-Road Manners and Off-Road Credentials: The Jeep Duality
The previous Compass earned praise for striking a good balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability. The 2025 model builds on this foundation with a retuned suspension featuring frequency-selective damping technology that automatically adjusts damping force based on road inputs.
On winding mountain roads, the new Compass exhibited noticeably better body control than its predecessor, with reduced roll through corners and more direct steering response.
The revised electric power steering offers better on-center feel and more natural weighting, addressing a common criticism of the outgoing model.
Ride quality is likewise improved, with the suspension doing an admirable job absorbing rough patches without transmitting harshness into the cabin.
Noise suppression has taken a significant step forward thanks to acoustic glass, additional sound-deadening material, and active noise cancellation on higher trims.
True to its heritage, the Jeep still shines brightest when the pavement ends. The Trailhawk variant, in particular, remains a standout performer off-road, featuring increased ground clearance (225mm versus 208mm on standard models), improved approach and departure angles, skid plates, and Jeep’s Active Drive Low 4×4 system with a 20:1 crawl ratio.
The Selec-Terrain system returns with updated algorithms, offering Auto, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock modes that optimize various vehicle parameters for different conditions.
During an off-road demonstration at a purpose-built course, the Compass Trailhawk navigated obstacles that would stymie most competitors in this segment, reinforcing Jeep’s off-road credentials.
Market Positioning: Aiming Higher With Higher Stakes
With prices starting at ₹21.95 lakh for the base Sport variant and extending to ₹35.95 lakh for the fully-loaded Trailhawk (ex-showroom), the 2025 Compass positions itself firmly in the premium compact SUV segment.
This represents an increase of approximately 5-8% over the outgoing model, depending on variant.
“We recognize we’re asking customers to pay a premium, but we’re confident the completely redesigned product justifies the positioning,” said Roland Bouchara, CEO of Stellantis India, during the Q&A session. “The new Compass competes not just with traditional rivals but increasingly with entry-level offerings from luxury brands.”
Indeed, the Compass now finds itself straddling multiple segments. At the lower end, it competes with top-spec variants of mainstream compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
In the middle of its range, it goes head-to-head with the Tucson, Tiguan, and upcoming Citroen C5 Aircross. At the top end, it’s knocking on the door of entry-level luxury SUVs like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.
Jeep India has announced an aggressive production ramp-up at its Ranjangaon facility, with plans to produce up to 50,000 units annually, of which approximately 30% are earmarked for export markets. Deliveries to customers are scheduled to begin next month, with nationwide availability expected by the end of the quarter.
Jeep Compass 2025 Conclusion: Compelling Evolution with Few Compromises
The 2025 Jeep Compass represents a comprehensive and largely successful reimagining of a vehicle that was already competitive in its segment.
The dramatically improved interior, expanded technology suite, and addition of the hybrid powertrain option address the key shortcomings of the previous model while retaining its core strengths.
Is it perfect? Not quite. Some may find the price increase difficult to swallow, particularly for lower trims that miss out on some of the headline features.
The base petrol engine, while adequate, feels somewhat outdated compared to newer turbocharged units from competitors. And despite the increased rear legroom, the Compass still doesn’t offer quite as much interior space as some rivals.
But these are relatively minor quibbles in what is otherwise an impressive package. The 2025 Compass successfully elevates Jeep’s mainstream offering to near-premium territory while maintaining the brand’s off-road DNA.
For buyers seeking a compact SUV that offers genuine capability alongside newfound refinement and technology, the new Compass makes a compelling case.
In a market increasingly crowded with crossovers that merely look the part, Jeep has delivered an authentic SUV experience wrapped in a significantly more sophisticated package.
The iconic American brand has struck a careful balance between evolution and revolution – preserving what made the Compass popular while addressing its shortcomings. The result is a vehicle that should appeal to a broader audience without alienating the brand’s loyal following.