It is here! The model that established Jeep in India has received a thorough mid-life update. And today, we witnessed the unveiling of that finished product. What you see here is the 2021 Jeep Compass. Put simply, the Jeep Compass facelift. Bookings for the refreshed SUV are open. If you want to reserve one, all you need to do is visit the official Jeep India website and a pay a token amount of Rs 50,000. As for the launch, that should happen within January 2021.

Okay. A thorough refresh isn’t quite apparent in the first look. If you concentrate really hard, you’ll see the Compass justifies the “facelift” badge with revised front and rear bumpers, new seven-slat grille, different alloy wheels and reprofiled, LED-powered headlamps and tail lamps. It is on the inside where you’ll find the significant changes. A new dashboard design incorporates a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by FCA’s Uconnect5, slimmer AC vents and new HVAC control knobs and buttons. For the driver, there’s a new multifunction steering wheel and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

In terms of features, the Compass facelift offers a wireless mobile charger, 360-degree camera, dual-zone climate control and a powered tailgate. Stuff like receiving OTA (Over-The-Air) software updates, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, ventilated front seats, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available. FCA India says that the refreshed Compass packs bucket-loads of active and passive safety features. The list includes hill hold control, six airbags, traction control, electronic stability control, auto headlamps and wipers, ISOFIX anchorages for child booster seats and hill-descent control.

As you’d expect, the powertrain options remain unaltered. Petrol fans will have work with the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine which pumps out 161bhp/250Nm. On the other hand, Diesel lovers will opt for the 2.0-litre turbocharged mill that produces 171bhp/350Nm. As standard, both powerplants will come mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The petrol engine is also available with a 7-speed DCT, while the diesel motor can be had with a 9-speed automatic. And before you wonder, the Compass facelift range has 4×4 option but only with the larger mill.

Expect the refreshed Compass range to start at around Rs 17 lakh. Once launched, it will continue to rival the Hyundai Tucson and high-end variants of the MG Hector and Tata Harrier. Do you like what Jeep has done to create the Compass facelift?