FCA India has launched a new variant of the Jeep Compass – the Sport Plus – at Rs 15.99 lakh for the petrol model and Rs 16.99 lakh for the diesel (ex-showroom, all-India). While the Compass Sport Plus petrol prices are about Rs 59,000 more than the equivalent Sport variant, the Sport Plus diesel costs about Rs 38,000 more.

The outside of the new variant features 16-inch silver alloy wheels, black roof rails and a Sport Plus badge on the tailgate. The rear windshield and tops of the doors also get black cladding. Rear parking sensors, which are not available on the base Sport variant, are also standard.

On the inside, the Compass Sport Plus gets dual-zone climate control, which can also be controlled via the 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display. While it may miss out on kit such as keyless entry and go, power folding wing mirrors, a larger 7.0-inch infotainment screen and the 17-inch alloy wheels available on the higher-spec Longitude variant, it gets the same level of safety equipment including dual front airbags, ABS, ESC and traction control.

Mechanically, the Compass Sport Plus is the same as the base variant – it has the same 163hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and 173hp, 2.0-litre diesel, both of which come with a 6-speed manual as standard. 

Considering its price point, it seems like the new Compass Sport Plus will be a better kitted rival to higher-spec variants of the Tata Harrier, as the mid-spec Harrier XT’s price is Rs 14.95 lakh while Harrier XZ prices are Rs 16.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Since its launch in the Indian market in July 2017, the Jeep Compass has, till end-February 2019, sold a total of 33,996 units comprising 25,359 diesel variants and 8,637 petrol variants. In the first 11 months of FY2019, FCA India has sold a total of 14,638 SUVs, which gives it a market share of 1.73 percent.