Fiat Chrysler's rugged Jeep brand has an updated version of its hot-selling compact Compass model line cooking, and we're getting awfully close to a reveal; according to the official YouTube channel of Jeep Europe, the refreshed 2021 Jeep Compass will be revealed on Thursday, June 4 at 9:00am Eastern Time. Naturally, the European version of the compact crossover will have some differences with the version offered here in the US, but outside of the powertrain options, those differences are sure to be relatively minor.

The refreshed Jeep Compass will be revealed via a virtual press conference, to be streamed live on the Jeep Europe YouTube channel, and we're pretty stoked for what the revised model line might bring.

That's because two years ago, as Jeep presented its "product roadmap" for the years 2018 through 2022, the brand announced that the Jeep Compass would be among the first of its products to receive Level-3 autonomy and enhanced connectivity. It's likely one or both of those things that Jeep's "connected with freedom" tagline for the Compass reveal is referring to.

Level-3 autonomy, as defined by the SAE, refers to an automated driving system that can take over all of the driving tasks - cruising, accelerating, decelerating, and keeping the vehicle safely within in its lane - in some select circumstances. GM's Super Cruise system, for example, operates on over 200,000 miles of pre-mapped freeway in the US and Canada. While FCA was initially slow to embrace autonomous vehicle technology of any sort, it's becoming a widely sought-after feature.

As for the connectivity promised in Jeep's 2018-2022 product roadmap, that's most likely a reference to FCA's newest Uconnect system - not to vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. Jeep's 2018 presentation touted "live navigation" and "parking availability" as key features, but additionally, Uconnect 5 boasts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Amazon Alexa integration.

Apart from these things, expect to see a redesigned front fascia on the 2021 Jeep Compass, with a massaged grille and restyled headlamps, along with a mildly tweaked rear. And maybe, if we're lucky, the mid-cycle update will bring the plug-in-hybrid Jeep Compass 4xe to the US market, too.