India-spec Jeep Compass Trailhawk: 5 things to know

It has been a long wait, but Jeep has finally taken the wraps off the India-spec Compass Trailhawk. The ‘Trailhawk’ moniker deems it to be the more hardcore and off-road-focused version of an already capable SUV. The India-spec car also has some other firsts to its name. We’ve broken all the information down into the five most important things to know about the Jeep Compass Trailhawk.  

Jeep Compass Trailhawk engine and gearbox

The Trailhawk debuts the much-sought-after diesel-automatic powertrain combination on the Compass in our market. The gearbox in question is a 9-speed torque converter unit. Also debuting on the Trailhawk is a BS6-compliant version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine. The engine puts out the same 173hp and 350Nm of torque as its BS4 counterpart. The good news is that the new engine-gearbox combination will also find its way to the regular Compass, in the months to come.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk off-road specific modifications

Although the new diesel-auto combo will be the biggest draw for most buyers, the true essence of the Trailhawk lies in its off-road capabilities. To make it more potent at handling rough terrain, Jeep has endowed the SUV with its ‘Active Drive Low 4x4 system’, which comprises a low-range four-wheel-drive arrangement, hill descent control and an additional ‘Rock’ mode for the Selec-Terrain system (which already comes with ‘Auto’, ‘Snow’, ‘Sand’ and ‘Mud’ modes as standard).  

There is a bevy of other changes too. Ground clearance has been bumped up by 30mm (to 205mm), water wading depth now stands at 483mm (up from the standard version’s 330mm) and the suspension setup gets a rework. Reshaped bumpers result in better approach (26.5 degree), ramp breakover (21.2 degree) and departure angles (31.6 degree).        

Jeep Compass Trailhawk exterior

Although similar to the regular Compass in basic design, the Trailhawk gets some addenda that make it stand apart. The bonnet gets a black decal, there are ‘Trail-Rated’ badges on the front fenders, the new dual-tone wheels wear Falken all-terrain tyres, and there is a red tow hook at the rear (though the India-spec Trailhawk misses out on similar hooks at the front due to our pedestrian crash protection norms). Reworked bumpers and a gunmetal finish for the seven-slat grille, fog lamp surrounds and the window line also help with the refreshed look.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk interior

If you’re not familiar with the Compass Black Pack edition, then the Trailhawk’s all-black cabin colour scheme may seem new. Unique to this rugged SUV are an engine auto start-stop function, cruise control, 7.0-inch multi-info display and all-weather floor mats. Also part of the package is an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple and Android connectivity, auto climate control and keyless go, with the option of a panoramic sunroof as a paid extra. Unfortunately, to keep costs in check, the Trailhawk loses out on some of the features of the Limited Plus variant, like a powered driver’s seat and auto headlamps and wipers. Six airbags, ABS, ESC, traction control, hill-start assist, electronic parking brake and reverse parking sensors and camera are part of the safety kit.  

Jeep Compass Trailhawk price and launch

Scheduled to launch in India by July 2019, the Trailhawk is expected to be priced at around Rs 24.5 lakh (estimated, ex-showroom). At this price point, it will sit at the top of the Compass range. Will the Indian buyer be willing to dole out a hefty premium for its off-road credentials, or will the diesel-auto combination be enough to lure them in? Only time will tell.