The 2023 Jeep Compass has been updated in the US with a new standard engine across the range: a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to replace the less powerful predecessor.
The Compass small SUV, which is available in Australia with a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, is set to be more powerful in the US with the turbocharged 149kW/300Nm petrol engine from the Stellantis family.
It’s the same engine that powers entry-level versions of the Alfa Romeo Giulia since 2016, as well as through the Maserati and Jeep family since 2018 and 2021 respectively.
It also happens to be 20kW and 70Nm more powerful than the 2.4-litre petrol engine available in Australia for most of the range.
While the top-spec Compass Trailhawk scores a torquier 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine, it seems the rest of the range won’t benefit from the more powerful engine here in Australia.
A spokesperson for Jeep Australia said there are currently no plans to introduce the new engine to the Australian lineup for the Jeep Compass.
While the Jeep Compass with the new engine is produced in North America where left-hand drive models are built, however the Australian-spec Compass is built in India.
The Compass range currently kicks off from $46,700 before on-road costs in Australia for the base Compass Limited AWD, and tops out at $54,000 for the top-spec, diesel-powered Compass Trailhawk AWD.
Keyword: 2023 Jeep Compass gains 2.0-litre turbo engine, but will it come to Australia?