Jeep is Betting Hundreds of Millions on the Success of the 2026 Jeep Compass in America

Jeep is betting hundreds of millions of dollars on the success of the 2026 Jeep Compass in the U.S. The conventional wisdom is that every automaker needs a more affordable model to draw buyers to their brand. Automakers try to build brand loyalty and eventually grow those entry-level owners into larger, more expensive models. For Jeep, that entry point is the Jeep Compass. Right now, partially because of tariffs, Jeep is spending $600 million on retooling the Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant to build the Compass and the Jeep Cherokee. The 2026 Compass is being built Melfi, Italy. The compact SUV sells well in Europe and Jeep is banking on building the same popularity in America. The Belvidere plant is scheduled to open in 2027. 

What's New for the 2026 Jeep Compass

The Compass is the first four-wheel-drive compact Jeep SUV built on the STLA Medium platform. Jeep has designed the third-generation Compass to be affordable but have class-leading performance. Compass is one of Jeeps’ global vehicles, marketed in 60 Countries worldwide in Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

While the 2026 Jeep Compass is the entry point for the Jeep brand, it still carries Jeep’s legendary 4x4, Trail Rated capability with the Jeep Compass Trailhawk. 

For 2026, the Compass has this trim lineup:

• Latitude: The starting point of the Jeep brand in showrooms, priced at $30,990 including destination fees
• Latitude Altitude: A bold black appearance package, priced at $32,985
• Limited: The premium step in the Compass lineup, priced at $34,885
• Limited Altitude: Premium with black appearance, priced at $36,880
• Trailhawk: The most capable SUV in the segment, Trail Rated for off-road dominance, priced at $35,390

Jeep Adding More Technology to the Trailhawk Model

• Remote start
• Heated steering wheel and seats
• 8-way power driver seat
• Windshield wiper de-icer

Trailhawk provides legendary Trail Rated 4x4 capability

• Standard Jeep Active Drive Low 4x4 class-leading 20:1 crawl ratio
• One-inch factory lift, skid plates, aggressive off-road tires, and Jeep signature red front and rear tow hooks
• 30-degree approach angle, 24-degree breakover angle and 34-degree departure angle
• Hill-descent Control
• Up to 19 inches of water fording
• Up to 2,000-lb. towing capability (when properly equipped)

Jeep Compass Adding New Colors in 2026

• Joose – a bright orange-joins the color palette for a limited run
• Fathom Blue joins the base color palette

Performance Leadership 

• Every 2026 Compass is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering:
• Best-in-class standard horsepower: 200 hp
• Best-in-class standard torque: 221 lb-ft
• Unsurpassed standard maximum towing capacity

The Jeep Compass Carries Traditional Jeep Styling

The 2026 Jeep Compass is designed to look like the larger Jeep lineup. It carries a similar seven-slot grille and is engineered to perform well everywhere — from city streets and highways to daily commutes and outdoor adventures. The Compass also has impressive room in the interior for its compact size. This baby Jeep combines Selec-Terrain systems, 360-degree protection,  safety equipment and off-road performance. Technically, the new Compass delivers the versatility and capability Jeep is known for. 

Jeep Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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