Detroit motor show 2011 - Jeep Compass

The Jeep brand is alive, well and gearing up for a relaunch – including this, the refreshed Jeep Compass. It goes on sale this autumn and, the company hopes, will spearhead a rebirth for the brand in the UK.

Highlights of the Jeep Cherokee-inspired face-lift are a new bonnet design, including what Jeep calls 'a subtle power bulge', a revised front grille and headlights and plastic body cladding that should repel any rocks you come across.

The restyle is meant to address customer concerns about whether the current version is a 'proper Jeep'.

Steering and suspension components have also been modified, and hill-start assist and side-curtain airbags added as standard.

Before anyone starts mocking the American penchant for big, thirsty petrol engines, there’s also now a two-wheel drive variant available and two petrol engines, a 2.0-litre with 156bhp or a 2.4-litre unit with 170bhp. A 2.2-litre diesel will also be available for European markets.

Jeep also aims to introduce 70th anniversary versions of every model this year.