Jeep has taken the fully electric Compass 4xe into Sardinia’s rocks, forests and streams to demonstrate that off-road capability in an EV depends on precise control—not just a spectacular torque figure.
The new Compass 4xe uses two electric motors, with 157 kW at the front and 132 kW at the rear, for a combined 375 hp. Its dual-motor layout provides all-wheel drive without a mechanical prop shaft linking the axles.
Control beats drama
Electric motors can react quickly, but instant torque alone can turn into wheelspin on loose rock. Jeep’s 4WD Lock mode keeps both axles engaged and uses motor-speed control to detect slip, adjust torque as weight moves around the vehicle and reduce oscillation through the driveline.
The rear motor is paired with a 14:1 reduction gear. Jeep quotes up to 3,100 Nm at the rear wheels—a multiplied figure that should not be confused with motor output—but the useful result is low-speed force. The company says the Compass can climb a 20 percent gradient even when the front wheels have no grip.
Selec-Terrain offers Auto, Sport, Sand & Mud, Snow and 4WD Lock settings. The 4xe also sits 10 mm higher than other Compass variants, with a 28-degree approach angle, 17-degree breakover angle and 31-degree departure angle. Its claimed water-fording depth is 480 mm.
The new etiquette of electric adventure
For owners, an electric off-road trip changes planning. Range estimates fall faster in sand, mud and steep terrain, where speed is low but power demand can be high. Charging options near remote routes must be checked before departure, and the driver needs a larger energy reserve than they would keep for an urban journey.
There are benefits too. Fine motor control can make crawling smoother, regenerative braking can help manage descents, and quiet progress changes the atmosphere of a trail. Silence does not remove environmental responsibility: drivers should stay on permitted routes, avoid water crossings when conditions are uncertain and never assume that zero tailpipe emissions mean zero impact.
The Sardinia demonstration is manufacturer-produced, so it should be read as a capability showcase rather than an independent test. Still, it reveals where electric 4x4 development is becoming sophisticated. The interesting work is no longer proving that an EV can spin all four wheels. It is teaching the vehicle to deliver exactly enough torque, exactly where the ground can accept it.
Source: Jeep/Stellantis Media, 16 July 2026. Images are frames from Jeep’s official “Go Anywhere. Period” film, used for editorial reporting.
