Jeep Compass

Latest incarnation of this family SUV gets an electric option and a dose of Jeep's traditional ruggedness On sale Early 2026 Price from £35,720

- CHRIS HAINING [e-mail]

IF YOU'RE LOOKING for an SUV hardy enough to withstand the rigours of family life, who better to build it than a company that made its very name from vehicles that were tough enough to take to war? Yes, now entering its third generation, the Jeep Compass promises to be just the right kind of general-purpose vehicle for hauling your little troopers off to boot camp.

Strip away its combat fatigues, though, and the Compass shares its bones with the smart-casual Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland. That includes the 143bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine that powers initial First Edition cars. Its mild hybrid system serves up a welcome electric boost that helps when pulling away, further assisted by a smooth automatic gearbox. Only on extended gradients does the engine feel a bit breathless; the rival Kia Sportage has a bit more overtaking urge.