Based on details obtained from the automaker’s website, the Compass, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2016, will for now only be available in top-spec, off-road focused Trailhawk guise that adds 17-inch all-terrain alloy wheels, revised front and rear facias with grey and black inserts, a wading depth of 483mm, increased ground clearance of 216mm and Hill Descent Control.

Riding on the same Small Wide 4x4 platform as the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X, the Compass measures 4 398mm in overall length, with a wheelbase of 2 636mm, height of 1 657mm and width of 1 819mm, and a boot rated at 438-litres.

Tipping the scales at 1 623kg and able to tow up to 1 000kg, the Trailhawk’s feature list consist out of a 8.4-inch UConnect touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster display, dual-zone climate control, rain sense wipers, four-way electrically adjustable driver’s chair, a dual-pane sunroof, electric tailgate, a nine-speaker BeatsAudio sound system and leather seats with the fronts being ventilated and finished with ruby red stitching and Trailhawk embossed backs.

According to the official model brochure, safety tech comes in the form of Lane Departure Warning, reverse camera with Rear Cross Traffic Detection, Automatic Park Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Despite being offered with a number of powertrains in other markets, the local Trailhawk will mirror the model sold in the United States, with power coming from the same 2.4-litre Tighershark petrol used in the Cherokee that outputs 129kW/229Nm. Teamed to the ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic gearbox, Jeep claims a top speed of 185km/h and a combined fuel consumption of 9.5-litres/100km.

Aimed towards more challenging conditions as mentioned, the Trailhawk adds to a Rock mode to the standard four-mode Select-Terrain system (Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud) along with a low range transfer case, Rear Axle Disconnect in Auto mode, a 30 degree approach angle, departure angle of 33.6 degrees and a breakover angle of 24.4 degrees.

Priced at R599 999, the Compass Trailhawk also comes with a three year/100 000km maintenance plan.

NOTE: US-spec Trailhawk depicted