Jeep is readying its smallest seven-seat SUV yet, which should debut later this year.
Our spy photographers captured what appears to be a stretched version of the Jeep Compass, with both a longer wheelbase and longer rear overhang to accommodate a third row of seats.
It’ll reportedly offer a choice of a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 149kW of power and a turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol four with 134kW of power.
No word on whether the Compass 4xe’s plug-in hybrid powertrain will be made available.
While it’s expected to share much with the Compass, including its dashboard and infotainment system, Autocar India says we shouldn’t expect it to wear Grand Compass badges. It’s also expected to have a visual identity of its own.
Though spotted testing in Sweden, it won’t be exclusive to Europe as India and Brazil are in line to build and sell it.
Australian-market Compass models are currently sourced from India, though the small Jeep is also manufactured in China, Italy, and Mexico.
Our Compass is currently offered with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, albeit with only 125kW of power and 350Nm of torque, so this three-row derivative will have a decent bump in power.
A recently revealed update for the Chinese-market Compass, headlined by a new interior, is expected to filter to other markets and we’ve spied a Compass testing locally with the redesigned cabin.
The new dashboard is expected to feature in this three-row Compass.
There’s a new, 10.1-inch touchscreen with the latest uConnect 5 infotainment system, running on Android Automotive.
Further down is a slicker climate control setup, and a new centre console with piano black trim.
Ahead of the driver sits a new, more modern steering wheel and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
Jeep is belatedly expanding its range of three-row SUVs.
Grand Commander 
Grand Cherokee L
After the Commander proved a disappointing seller and was discontinued in 2010, Jeep didn’t have any three-row SUVs on offer until the Grand Commander was introduced in 2018.
The Grand Commander has remained exclusive to China, though Jeep will finally introduce a seven-seat version of its Grand Cherokee this year. It arrives locally late this year.
The Grand Cherokee L will be followed, in North America at least, by the body-on-frame, Ram 1500-derived Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Those models have been ruled out for Australia.
With news of a sub-Renegade Jeep set to begin production in Poland next year, the Jeep line-up is getting increasingly crowded.
In Jeep’s last five-year plan in 2018, before the Stellantis merger, the company confirmed the refreshed Compass would be followed in 2022 by both a new Cherokee and a “Low D 3-Row”.
