Could This China-spec Jeep Compass Guide Come To India Next Year?

• Expect Jeep to revise the front end of the Compass.
• Sheet metal changes are expected to be minimum.
• The GAC FCA Jeep Compass Guide is identical to the India-spec model.
• We expect the facelifted SUV to arrive in India by 2021.

Jeep seems to working on a facelift for the Compass in China as new spy shots of a disguised GAC FCA Jeep Compass Guide have emerged online. This is likely to be the 2020 model of the Compass and we believe it could come to India by 2021. Sheet metal changes on the test mule seem minimal. However, the changes are likely to warrant a price increase over the current generation’s Rs 15.60 lakh to Rs 23.11 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) tag.

Although the test mule conceals most of its bodywork, the exposed roofline seems identical to the current model. The China-spec Compass is identical in the flesh to the India-spec car. The signature 7-slat grille is just visible under the cloth camo. The headlamps and thee front fascia remain obscured. The bonnet seems to have its shutline and creases intact. However, we can’t spot the centre bulge in this test mule.

At the rear, the Compass’ taillamps are instantly recognisable and don’t seem to have changed much. Creases and shutlines seem identical here as well. The grille-like garnish on the rear bumper is intact, as are the two rear reflectors. The shoulder line in the profile does not seem to have changed, either.

The test mule’s interiors were spied by our source. Jeep is likely to retain Fiat bits like the chunky steering wheel. It appears to be similar in the photographs but could feature subtle design changes. In the test car, the instrument cluster cowl seems to be extended further than it is in the current model. It may feature a layered design, given the lip visible on the dashboard, under the camouflage. The automatic shift lever seems unchanged.

In China, the Jeep Compass Guide is offered with two turbo-petrols (1.3-litre and 1.4-litre) and two naturally-aspirated (2.0-litre and 2.4-litre) petrol units. The India-spec model is likely to retain its BS6-compliant 2.0-litre turbo diesel and the 1.4-litre turbo petrol, which is yet to get the necessary updates to meet the new emission norms.

FCA is notorious for long-running model lines in India. Fiat sold the Palio and its derivatives for a decade. The Punto sold for longer. But Jeep is a second chance for FCA in our country. Given the initial success of the Compass in the country, a mid-life refresh could be just what the doctor ordered.

Source: Auto Home