Up until now if you wanted a diesel-automatic combination powering the Jeep Compass, you had just the Trailhawk derivative to choose. That comes with a starting price tag of Rs 26.8 lakh, which is too expensive. Now, however, the American SUV-maker has introduced two new variants with the same powertrain – one each in Longitude and Limited Plus trims. In the former form, the Compass diesel-AT costs Rs 21.96 lakh, whereas in the latter spec the asking price is Rs 24.99 lakh.

As far as the price difference is concerned, the diesel-MT variants in Longitude and Limited Plus trims cost Rs 18.03 lakh and Rs 23.11 lakh, respectively. The latter also gets a 4×4 system. Simple math reveals that customers would have to shell out an extra Rs 3.93 lakh for the Longitude diesel-AT, and Rs 1.88 lakh for the Limited Plus diesel-AT. Those looking for a rosier picture can get one from this statistic – the Trailhawk diesel-AT costs at least Rs 1.81 lakh and Rs 4.84 lakh more than the new Limited Plus and Longitude iterations, respectively.

The combination of a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with 171bhp/350Nm and 9-speed automatic transmission powers the newcomers. Like in the Trailhawk, the powertrain here is BS6-compliant (Bharat Stage 6). That’s one reason why the automatic variants cost significantly more than their yet-to-be-BS6-ready manual counterparts. Another contributing factor to the price difference, especially in the Longitude form, is the availability of the 4×4 system with the diesel-AT derivatives.

In terms of kit, the newly introduced derivatives are at par with their respective manual counterparts. In Longitude form, the Compass comes with gizmos like cruise control, dual airbags, rear parking sensors, power-folding ORVMs, push-button start, all-four disc brakes, front and rear fog lamps, and electronic parking brake. The Limited Plus trim, which is higher up in the hierarchy tree, ropes in features like a panoramic sunroof, 8-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and, auto headlamps and wipers.

No other SUV in the Compass’ territory has received a BS6-ready powertrain. In India, the American SUV competes with the MG Hector, Tata Harrier and the Mahindra XUV500. Would you buy a diesel-AT Compass over its competitors?

Note: All prices mentioned above are ex-showroom Delhi.