Afterwards this year, Jeep will launch an all-new compact SUV. Up until this point, it was believed such a model would receive a distinct name given that it will replace both the Jeep Compass and Patriot models.
However, that won't be the case. According to The Detroit News, the brand's new compact SUV will actually be dubbed either the Compass or Patriot, keeping one of these recognisable names in Jeep's product line-up and dumping the other.
Jeep's global chief Mike Manley revealed the news during the ongoing Detroit Auto Show. He also commented that a final announcement on which name will be used will be revealed at a afterwards date.
“We’ve got two very good names, two well-established names with Compass and Patriot that continue to perform very well. It will be one of those names — which one, we’re going to have to wait and see,” he said.
Outside of the United States, Manley said that Compass is a better known name while Patriot is more well known in North America.
With that in mind, it seems likely that Jeep will select whichever name it believes will be recognizable to the largest proportion of potential buyers.
No matter its name, the new compact SUV will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It'll be underpinned by the platform found in the Jeep Renegade and be offered with a 1.4-liter turbo petrol engine and 1.6- and 2.0-liter diesel powertrains from the Fiat Group.