An influx of new safety and convenience features means Jeep’s ‘Trail Rated’ small SUV is now an even better companion on the long haul
Jeep recently updated its Compass small SUV family, which benefits from new safety tech, a redesigned dash and a range of extra driver convenience features. In this test, we subject the flagship Jeep Compass Trailhawk to an interstate run and find it delivers surprising long-haul capability along with solid performance from its frugal 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, all capped off by unique off-road potential in this segment.
Not so soft
The 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk is the flagship of the Compass range and is priced at $51,650 plus on-road costs.
That is $2200 more than its predecessor, but then the Compass Trailhawk – like the rest of the four-strong Compass range, comprising the entry-level Launch Edition, Limited and S-Limited variants – received a significant update last year that brought a redesigned cabin, a host of new features and exterior styling tweaks.
The update also saw the advanced driver assistance systems already featured on the Jeep Compass Trailhawk rolled out throughout the Compass range (more on those in a bit), so it’s the revamped dashboard and some extra mod-cons grabbing the limelight here in the Trailhawk.
The new-look dash brings not only a classier, more sophisticated feel, but niceties like a new multimedia system with larger 10.1-inch touch-screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Then there is the new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (standard on Limited, S-Limited and Trailhawk), along with a new 360-degree ‘Surround View’ camera (standard only for Trailhawk).
Externally, subtle changes include a slightly wider bonnet (still with black anti-glare decal), a refreshed grille design and Trailhawk-specific 17-inch alloy wheels.
But, like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk’s powertrain, chassis and suspension, the vehicle’s basic external and internal measurements carry over.
As one of Jeep’s ‘Trail Rated’ models, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes equipped to push beyond sealed roads, and it is more than marketing puff and bluster.
Yes, it’s still a ‘soft-roader’, not a Wrangler or Gladiator, but with healthy ground clearance (225mm) and geometry (30.3-degree approach angle, 33.6-degree departure angle), a 480mm wading depth, reasonable metal underbody protection, three recovery points, rubber floor mats and Jeep’s Active Drive Low 4×4 driveline, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is not as ‘soft’ as most soft-roaders either.
It even has a ‘Selec-Terrain’ terrain management system and hill descent control, although the Trailhawk’s ‘4WD Low’ function purely delivers enhanced low-speed performance and is not a reference to low-range gearing – there is no dual-range transfer case, so there is no dedicated low-range as such.
You won’t find any live axles here either; instead, there is a more road-oriented independent suspension package, with MacPherson struts up front and Chapman struts at the rear.
Modest axle articulation (by typical off-road standards) results, although Jeep classes it as ‘off-road suspension’ and it does deliver extra ride height over other Compass variants.
In any case, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is quite unique when viewed against the backdrop of the wider SUV landscape – with its off-road credentials it really does not have a direct rival.
In fact, its closest competitors entail either a step down in size (and price and features) to the Suzuki Jimny, or a step up in size to the likes of the Subaru Forester or Land Rover Discovery Sport.
The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is available in five paint schemes: two standard (Bright White or Colorado Red) and three prestige hues (Brilliant Black, Minimal Grey or Grey Magnesio), the latter adding a $645 premium.
The vehicle comes with a five-year/100,000km factory warranty with lifetime complimentary roadside assistance, provided the car is serviced within the Jeep dealer network.
Service intervals are indicated at every 20,000km (or 12 months), with the first five scheduled services capped at a maximum of $399 each.
Smarter on safety
The 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes with a five-star ANCAP rating that was achieved back in 2017.
Still, this SUV is packed with comprehensive safety technology and features to satisfy both city dwellers and more adventurous folk.
Standard across the entire Compass range is forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, dynamic lane keeping, rear cross traffic alert, driver fatigue warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed assist.
Staples like six airbags, electronic stability control and seat belt reminders are all there, along with tyre pressure monitoring and a reversing camera.
Only the Trailhawk receives the ‘Surround View’ camera and auto park assist, along with parking sensors front and rear.
There are ISOFIX mounting points for baby capsules and/or child seats on the two outboard rear seats, plus top tether points for all three rear seats.
Moving beyond safety, the 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk also boasts keyless entry and push-button starting, a foot-operated power tailgate, auto lights (with auto high beam function), rain-sensing wipers, electric park brake and full LED lighting.
A six-speaker audio system is mated to the new multimedia unit and its sound quality is good. A nine-speaker Alpine system is available as part of the Trailhawk Premium Package ($3950), which also includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof.
Really, apart from the lack of a head-up display, the Compass Trailhawk ticks most boxes when it comes to equipment and features.
Perky but frugal
Under the bonnet of the 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk lurks a 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘Multijet’ turbo-diesel engine, good for a claimed 125kW and 350Nm.
A 2.4-litre four-cylinder ‘Tigershark’ petrol unit (129kW/229Nm) is found through the rest of the range.
While it may not be the fastest starter off the line, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is perky enough and, once it has hit its sweet spot, overtaking moves on open country roads are accomplished safely and swiftly. Jeep quotes a 0-100km/h time of 9.7 seconds.
Decent torque is available from, say, 1750rpm through to just past 4000rpm, with redline indicated at 4750rpm. Cruising at 100km/h in top (eighth) gear delivers a leisurely 1550rpm, making for relaxed highway touring.
It is frugal too, our test vehicle averaging just 6.7L/100km over the course of our 2500km meanderings from Melbourne to Sydney via Bathurst and back. That was actually under the manufacturer’s quoted combined-cycle figure of 6.9L/100km.
With a 60-litre tank, it spells a safe range of approximately 875km – enough to cover Sydney to Melbourne on one tank.
However, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk does require AdBlue to help it meet emissions compliance – not so easy to find in late 2021, owing to pandemic-induced supply issues! Fortunately, you can expect to cover several thousand kilometres between AdBlue top-ups.
The oiler is mated to the sole choice of a nine-speed automatic transmission, with sequential manual shifting available via the standard shifter only (no paddles).
The auto is integrated with Jeep’s Active Drive Low 4×4 system, which relies on electronics, a power transfer unit and a lockable rear driveshaft to direct the urge most appropriately for any given situation.
On tarmac, it is essentially a front-drive affair unless the front wheels lose traction, when power is then also sent to the rear.
A ‘4WD Lock’ button lets you lock in that drive to the rear, a measure also accomplished by shifting the Selec-Terrain switch to anything other than Auto (that is, Snow, Sand/Mud and Rock), while Jeep says 4WD Low “improves off-road performance in all modes”.
Fair weather and foul
There is a pleasing sense of security to the way the 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk conducts itself on the road.
Sure, this is a broad-focus SUV, but as a dynamic package it is thoroughly competent, remaining tidy and composed through the bends, where it displays minimal body roll.
With a modest tare mass of 1621kg, there’s an understated confidence to its roadholding.
This was highlighted when, in the final 100km of the 800km leg up to Bathurst, we found ourselves caught in an electrical storm of biblical scale. With cows flying sideways and NSW’s Mid-Western Highway fast resembling a river, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk remained rocksteady and committed to its course.
Its Falken highway tyres may promote a bit of road noise over coarse-chip surfaces in the dry, but they rose ‘above and beyond’ in the trying conditions.
The nine-speed auto is not the fastest-shifting or most decisive unit we have come across but, again, it does the job well enough, if without fanfare.
The steering is neutral, and we like the feel and functionality of the leather-wrapped wheel and its integrated controls both front and back.
The turning circle feels a smidge generous for a vehicle of these dimensions, however; Jeep quotes a kerb-to-kerb figure of 10.8 metres.
But the braking is assured, with good power and pleasing modulation at the pedal.
Of course, a solid string to the Trailhawk’s bow is its purported off-road ability. And while most of my time behind the wheel was spent on the blacktop, a foray into a state forest did provide some insights.
Yes, it is still a soft-roader, but it is also well equipped to push beyond the bitumen, to cover dirt roads of varying qualities and the occasional spell of moderately broken ground.
The underbody protection and recovery points will all help if ambition gets the better part of prudence, but I can report the confident handling shown on sealed roads also extends to dirt – it feels nicely planted on loose gravel, while also soaking up faster corrugations surprisingly well.
Driver comfort and amenity is good given just how much has been packed into a vehicle measuring 4398mm from tip to tail, 1819mm wide and 1657mm high.
Both front seats feature eight-way electric adjustment and lumbar support, and the steering wheel has manual adjustment for tilt and reach. It is easy to find the right position and there are memory setting available too.
Vision is healthy but what you cannot see easily is well addressed by the excellent Surround View camera set-up. This makes parking a breeze, also proving handy when navigating tighter spots off-road, and the 10.1-inch display is large and crisp.
As a small SUV, there is only so much cabin space to divvy up. Driver and front passenger may well engage in the odd territorial dispute for elbow space over the modest (but deep) centre console bin, and the driver’s footwell is a little cramped around the dead pedal, a vestige of porting over from left-hand drive.
Likewise, the on/off and volume knob for the multimedia unit is on the wrong side for the driver.
But, overall, I like this new dash layout, even if cab storage isn’t massive (though increased, says Jeep).
The wireless smartphone charging pad is welcome and the new multimedia system is certainly comprehensive, though it does take some getting your head around. And a further wealth of info can be dialled up on the new digital instrument cluster.
Alerts for many of the driver assistance features can be tailored for sensitivity and format (visual and/or audible) and you can deactivate Active Lane Management by quickly double tapping a button if required.
Similarly, you can quickly deactivate the parking sensors if all the proximity beeps become too much.
As it is up front, life in the second row is compact, without being too cramped.
I stand 188cm (6ft2in) tall and I could still manage to squeeze in without touching my bonce on the head liner or crunching my knees (just!). There’s also venting on the back of the centre console for the dual-zone climate control, plus myriad charging options (USB, USB-C, 12-volt, even 230-volt).
The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat promotes a fair degree of flexibility for load carrying, while the boot easily swallowed all I required for a week on the road.
I like the tie-down hooks in the back, ditto the full-size spare under the boot floor (although it is a steelie, not a matching alloy).
Overall, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is a capable and surprisingly comfortable performer given its size, with a broad spread of ability both in town and in the country.
Box of tricks
The more time I spent with the 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk, the more I liked it. I did not expect a small SUV to be this capable over a long-haul trip.
Not only did it never put a foot wrong, it also proved to have utility, functionality and no small degree of flair in equal measure.
Add in its frugal turbo-diesel engine, extensive features and healthy capability both in town and in the bush, and this small SUV punches above its weight.
How much does the 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk cost?Price: $51,650 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-dieselOutput: 125kW/350NmTransmission: Nine-speed automaticFuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 181g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
Keyword: Jeep Compass Trailhawk 2022 Review