Jeep is highlighting the performance potential of its all-electric Compass 4xe in the latest installment of its Jeep Capability Stories, with the third episode taking the high-performance SUV to Sweden for a demonstration of its capabilities on snow, ice and a dedicated testing circuit.
Filmed at the Arjeplog testing facility just a few kilometers from the Arctic Circle, the video focuses on the sporty side of the new Jeep Compass 4xe. Rather than concentrating solely on traditional off-road capability, Jeep uses the extreme winter environment to demonstrate how its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system can combine strong acceleration with controlled handling when grip is severely limited.
At the top of the Compass range, the fully electric 4xe develops 375 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Jeep says the combination of instantaneous electric torque, all-wheel drive and electronic traction management allows the SUV to deliver sports-car-like acceleration while remaining predictable on slippery surfaces.
Dual Electric Motors Deliver 4xe Performance
The Compass 4xe uses two independent electric motors to control the front and rear axles. The front motor produces 157 kW, while the rear unit delivers 132 kW. An electronic speed and torque controller continuously monitors vehicle behavior, allowing the system to regulate acceleration, deceleration and torque distribution according to available traction.
The controller can detect wheel slip in real time and adjust torque delivery accordingly. It also compensates for dynamic weight transfer and helps suppress driveline oscillations while working alongside the Compass’s ABS and electronic stability-control systems.
The rear motor is particularly important to the 4xe’s performance character. It produces 232 Nm of base torque, while a heavy-duty 14:1 reduction gear increases the mechanical torque available at the rear wheels to a claimed 3,100 Nm. The front electric motor contributes another 345 Nm.
Because electric motors can deliver their torque from standstill, the Compass 4xe has immediate propulsion available at both axles. Jeep has therefore engineered the system not simply to maximize peak output, but to provide precise control over how that output reaches the road.
That distinction becomes particularly important on snow and ice, where excessive wheelspin can quickly overwhelm available grip.
SPORT Mode Turns the Compass Into an All-Weather Performer
The Compass 4xe’s Jeep Selec-Terrain system provides five selectable driving modes: AUTO, SPORT, SAND & MUD, SNOW and 4WD LOCK. Each mode modifies the vehicle’s powertrain and traction-management strategy to suit different driving conditions.
For the Capability Stories episode, SPORT mode takes center stage.
Selecting SPORT makes the accelerator response more immediate and unlocks the vehicle’s full peak power, including overboost functionality. The steering calibration is also retuned for a more performance-oriented response, while the all-wheel-drive system remains continuously engaged at speeds of up to 140 km/h.
Jeep says the system adopts a rear-biased torque distribution in SPORT mode, while the stability and traction-control systems are calibrated to accommodate greater wheel slip. That allows the driver to exploit the Compass 4xe’s performance without completely removing the electronic safety net.
The result is intended to be particularly effective on low-grip surfaces. Rather than attempting to eliminate every instance of wheelspin, the system allows controlled slip at the rear axle before intervening.
This calibration gives the Compass a more engaging character while preserving the stability required for driving on icy roads.
606-Kilometer WLTP Range
Performance is only one aspect of the Compass 4xe’s electric powertrain. The SUV is equipped with a 96.1-kWh battery, giving it a claimed maximum 606-km WLTP range.
That combination of range and output positions the 4xe as the flagship of the new Compass range, with Jeep attempting to combine the traditional brand emphasis on all-weather and all-terrain capability with the instant response and controllability associated with high-output electric propulsion.
The Swedish testing environment provides a particularly demanding demonstration of that approach. Snow-covered roads and frozen surfaces leave little margin for inconsistent torque delivery, making precise control of each driven axle critical.
Jeep’s objective with the latest Capability Stories episode is therefore broader than simply demonstrating that the Compass can operate in winter. It illustrates how an electric all-wheel-drive system can actively manage traction while allowing a relatively large SUV to deliver strong acceleration and an engaging driving experience.
Source: Jeep Europe