Jeep Australia will have a Nissan Qashqai e-Power and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV rival in showrooms next year as 2024 Compass e-Hybrid and 4xe get the nod

Jeep Australia has committed to going hybrid-only for its Compass small SUV line-up, with electrified powertrain replacing the existing petrol and diesel options from the first half of 2024.

Though the Compass is classed as a small SUV, it skews larger than rivals like the Mitsubishi ASX, Toyota C-HR and Honda HR-V, and is more in line with the new-generation Hyundai Kona, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Kia Seltos and Nissan Qashqai.

Available in two forms, the e-Hybrid and 4xe, the Compass will join the Grand Cherokee 4xe and all-electric Avenger as electrified options in Jeep Australia’s portfolio.

However, Jeep is promising the electrified Compass models will remain “true to the current model’s all-terrain vocation – with efficiency not being achieved at the expense of performance”.

The Compass e-Hybrid will be front-drive only, and features a 48-volt mild-hybrid set-up to maximise fuel efficiency as all-electric power is available “at start-up, when travelling at low speeds, cruising and in parking manoeuvres”.

Already available in the UK, the Compass e-Hybrid features a 95kW/230Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine and 14kW/55Nm electric motor that drives the front axle through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Jeep Australia has committed to going hybrid-only for its Compass small SUV line-up.

A combined system output is yet to be revealed, though overseas economy is pegged at 6.5 litres per 100km.

Australian specs are still to be confirmed.

The 4xe meanwhile, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), with enough battery capacity for around 50km of all-electric driving in a city environment.

Pairing a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor means a 179kW output, which is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission – at least in overseas models.

Pricing and spec are not yet revealed for the new Compass.

Fuel economy comes in at 1.8L/100km, but again, Australian details are still forthcoming.

Pricing and spec are not yet revealed for the new Compass, but expect a premium over the current line-up that stars at $41,400 before on-road costs for the Night Eagle powered by a 129kW/230Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine, and tops out at $59,100 for the 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Trailhawk.

In the UK, the e-Hybrid and 4xe PHEV start from £34,580 and £41,455 respectively, which translates to $A67,781 and $A81,256 – but keep in mind straight-up price conversions like are seldom accurate.