It has been a while coming but Jeep India has finally launched the even more off-road capable version of the Compass SUV, at Rs 26.8 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). The Compass Trailhawk costs about Rs 3.7 lakh more than the previous range-topping variant, the Compass Limited Plus 4x4 2.0 diesel, which is priced at Rs 23.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings for the SUV had opened at Jeep dealerships on June 11 for an amount of Rs 50,000.

The premium over the Compass Limited Plus comes from a number of factors, the most important of which is the diesel-automatic combination. The Compass Trailhawk has the same 173hp/350Nm, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel Multijet II engine that does duty in the rest of the Compass range. However, it is BS6-compliant (another reason for the difference in price) and is paired to a 9-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox.

The third reason for Compass Trailhawk’s price is the well-earned Trail-Rated badge. Besides design changes to the exterior, to aid in covering difficult terrain – apart from a 30mm increase in ground clearance, a 510mm improvement in water wading depth, and enhanced approach, departure and ramp breakover angles – the Compass Trailhawk also gets Jeep’s ‘Active Drive Low 4x4 system’. This means that this SUV’s four-wheel-system includes a low-range, hill-descent control and a Rock mode for the Selec-Terrain system, along with Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud modes (which are available on the standard Compass).

The Compass Trailhawk nearly shares its creature comforts, safety kit and features with the Compass Limited Plus and gets an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with in-built navigation and Apple and Android connectivity, auto climate control and keyless go, auto start-stop function, cruise control and a 7.0-inch multi-info display as standard. However, it does not get a panoramic sunroof as standard (it’s an optional extra) and convenience features like a powered driver’s seat, auto headlamps and wipers are also not present. Six airbags, ABS, ESC, traction control, hill-start assist, roll-over mitigation, electronic parking brake, reverse parking sensors and rear camera are all standard safety features.

At this price point, the Compass Trailhawk will appeal to a surprisingly large potential audience: those who have been eagerly waiting for a Compass with a diesel-automatic gearbox and those who now have a more affordable option to larger off-roaders like the Ford Endeavour (Rs 28.20-33.70 lakh*) and the Toyota Fortuner (Rs 29.84-33.60 lakh**)

*Prices are ex-showroom, India

**Prices are for diesel models and are ex-showroom, Delhi

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