2022 Jeep Compass debut in Europe hints at premium interior we may get too

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The pace of progress is rapid in the murderously competitive compact crossover segment. Jeep has a leg up on rivals thanks to a hefty dose of brand equity. For 2022, it’ll have fresh product in its quiver too.

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For the 2022 model year, Compass features major changes to its interior plus a few exterior styling tweaks. Its overall shape is familiar and retains the brand’s styling cues but the whole package looks a bit more grown up.

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2022 Jeep Compass debut in Europe hints at premium interior we may get too Back to video

We’re sure it’s no coincidence that non-gearheads will look twice to tell this thing apart from a Grand Cherokee, at least up front. Hey, there are some benefits to looking like your tougher older brother.

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Inside is where the real action happens, as the entire space has been refurbished with an eye on technology. Gone is the integrated Uconnect screen in favour of a tablet-style screen, one which can be spec’d in the familiar 8.4-inch size or the new 10.1-inch monster that’s now popping up across the Stellantis family.

That’s a dandy set of instrumentation as well, with a customizable screen appearing to share much with the new Grand Wagoneer.

Interior storage has been given a rethink, jumping to 7.2 litres of space from less than a paltry 3.0 litres. Various and sundry secondary controls have also been refined, with the ventilation knobs looking for all the world like ones found in the Durango. This is not a bad thing. Buttons for 4×4 operation have also been fettled and moved aft of the gearshift lever.

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Pay no mind to the power teams on offer in Europe, as they surely differ wildly from what will be on North American option sheets. The current Compass can be fitted with a 2.4L four cylinder engine making 180 horsepower. A turbocharged 2.0L option would be welcome.

Jeep generally introduces new product on its home continent prior to offering it across the pond but, this time, it’s the other way around. Perhaps that has something to do with that market’s product being built in Italy. The company says that more than 40 per cent of Jeep sales in Europe are Compass crossovers, and it should be noted this is the first new Jeep to be born out of the fresh Stellantis partnership.