Jeep Compass Trailhawk Launched At Rs 26.80 Lakh

•  Features a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre diesel engine.
• Debuts the much-awaited diesel-automatic combo.
• Gets additional off-road bits to keep up with its ‘Trail Rated’ tag.
• Features redesigned bumpers and wheels to differentiate it from the standard Compass.
• The dashboard is all-black and seats get red inserts.

Jeep India has launched its off-road-spec Compass, the Trailhawk in India today. Priced from Rs 26.80 lakh (ex-showroom pan India), the Jeep Compass Trailhawk costs Rs 3.70 lakh more than the top-spec Limited Plus AWD. For the extra premium, the Jeep Compass offers the much-awaited diesel-automatic combo and gets additional features to aid its off-road cred. Here’s the price of the entire Compass range for your reference:

All prices ex-showroom Delhi.

Under The Hood:

One of the big changes for the Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes under the hood. It uses the same 2.0-litre diesel engine, albeit upgraded to BS6 emission norms. The SUV now gets an adBlue tank which helps clean up the exhaust gases. Power and torque figures remain the same at 173PS and 350Nm. Also, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes mated to a 9-speed automatic which many enthusiasts were asking for since day one. Before you ask us, no, the Trailhawk doesn’t come with the 6-speed stick shifter.

Trail Rated Tag:

The Compass Trailhawk also gets Jeep’s ‘Trail Rated’ badge which is given to SUVs that have undergone a strict certification processes for traction, ground clearance, articulation, manoeuvrability and water crossing ability.

To earn this badge, the suspension on the Trailhawk has been raised by 25mm for better ground clearance which now stands at 207mm. Water wading capability now stands at 480mm as the air intake has been raised by 120mm compared to the standard SUV. The wheels are a size smaller than the Limited Plus and feature Falken off-road-spec rubber with taller side walls to prevent tyre bulges. It also gets high-strength steel plates on the underbody to prevent damage.

The Compass Trailhawk also features a four wheel drive low button which locks the first gear and can be used for serious off-roading. It also gets an additional rock mode and hill descent control to make the most of your adventure trips.

Any Changes In Looks?

For starters, the chrome inserts all around are now finished in black. The Trailhawk gets new bumpers at the front and back which also boast of better approach and departure angles than the standard SUV. While the one at the front doesn’t feature the iconic red tow hooks due to safety norms in India, the one at the back does get one. The bonnet gets a black sticker to prevent reflections for better visibility. New 17-inch alloy rims round up the list of differences on the outside.

Interiors And Features:

The Compass Trailhawk gets an all-black dashboard, seats and door pads. All the silver inserts on the inside are now replaced by red inserts which gives it a sporty feel. The piano black inserts on the dashboard have also made way for matte black trims. While the Compass Trailhawk gets some exclusive features like cruise control, a bigger 7-inch coloured MID and a start/stop system, it misses out on a few essential features from the Limited Plus to keep costs in check. These include powered seats with memory function, auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.

Standard equipment on the Compass Trailhawk includes an 8.4-inch UConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and an electronic parking brake. The panoramic sunroof, though, comes only in the Trailhawk (O) variant that carries a premium of Rs 80,000.  Safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill start assist, rear parking sensors with camera and more.

While the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is priced at a premium, it must be mentioned that other variants still use a BS4-compliant engine and are expected to be upgraded soon. This might result in a price hike too. While the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is now a complete SUV packed with features, off-road-ready elements and a diesel-auto combo, the eye watering price tag puts it out of the reach of many potential buyers. But fret not, Jeep has told us that it might introduce the diesel-auto combo in lower variants soon.

Would you consider paying the extra premium for the flagship Compass? Let us know in the comments section below.