Jeep Compass vs Skoda Elroq

What's the difference?

The Jeep Compass is something of a unicorn among the long list of small SUVs sold in Australia. It is now the only model in either the light or small-SUV category that is available with a diesel engine.

That diesel is found under the bonnet of just one variant – the rugged Trailhawk which is also the flagship of the range.

Aside from Suzuki’s adorable Jimny light SUV, the Compass Trailhawk is the only small SUV with some off-road ability.

After going on sale in Australia in late 2017, the second-generation Compass was overhauled as part of a mid-life update in 2021. Aside from subtle styling tweaks, the biggest change was a new multimedia system.

Has Jeep done enough to lift the Compass from an also-ran to a model that buyers should consider, or was the update too little, too late?

It’s a new, premium, pure-electric, mid-size SUV, but unlike every second market arrival CarsGuide has been looking at lately, it doesn’t come from China.

This is Skoda’s Elroq, the Czech manufacturer’s second electric SUV, following the larger Enyaq which launched here just on 12 months ago.

Effectively an electric counterpart to the Karoq, it’s a single-motor, rear-wheel drive, five-seater with healthy performance and range claims as well as sharp pricing and generous spec to challenge its ever-expanding competitive set.

After a brief preview drive earlier this year, we’re back behind the wheel for a fuller examination. So, read on to see if this sleek newcomer could be part of your family EV future.