Jeep says it has already tested the new Meridian SUV for over 5,000km on Indian roads; will rival Kodiaq, Gloster and Fortuner in India.
Jeep has officially confirmed that the Compass-based three-row SUV will be called the Meridian in India. This is in line with our report from August last year, where we mentioned that the SUV (called Commander abroad) will be sold as the Meridian in our market. The new Jeep Meridian will be launched in India mid-2022.
- Jeep Meridian completed Kashmir to Kanyakumari drive in a unique camouflage
- Specifications for Indian model to be revealed closer to launch
- Will rival the Fortuner, Gloster, Kodiaq
India-spec Jeep Meridian: What’s new?
Along with the name announcement, Jeep also revealed that the new 7-seater SUV has recently traversed from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, along the Meridian 77-degree east longitude. Covering a distance of over 5,000km, the manufacturer is said to have tested the SUV’s performance across various parameters on this drive. The Jeep Meridian that completed this drive also sported a unique camouflage. The design of the camouflage included some recognisable icons from each state, for example, the India Gate from Delhi, the camel of Rajasthan, the tiger of Madhya Pradesh, the coconut tree of Kerala etc. Expect the specifications and variant line-up of the Jeep Meridian to be revealed closer to the launch date.
Jeep Meridian: exterior and interior details
The new Jeep Meridian is based on the same platform as the Compass, but it has been updated to accommodate the additional row of passengers. In comparison to the Compass, the Meridian has a longer wheelbase, a bigger rear overhang and larger rear doors to aid ingress and egress from the third row. While there will be some similarity with the Compass in terms of design, the Meridian will also borrow styling cues from the new Grand Cherokee.
On the inside, the Merdian’s dashboard design is likely to be almost identical to the Compass’, save for some trim and upholstery changes. In terms of equipment, we expect to see all the features from the top-spec Compass. So, the Meridian is likely to get a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger and a panoramic sunroof. Jeep is also expected safety features such as seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking system, and, perhaps, even ADAS features.
Jeep Meridian: powertrain details
Powering the Meridian in India is expected to be the tried and tested 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Multijet turbo-diesel engine that has been in a number of SUVs in India. However, the unit will be tuned to make more power – around 200hp, to cope with the added weight of the Meridian. This engine will also come paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system as standard. A 48V mild-hybrid version of this powertrain could also be offered.
Jeep Meridian: competition check
The new Jeep Meridian will rival not only other three-row monocoque SUVs like the recently updated Skoda Kodiaq but also some of the body-on-frame SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster.
Are you excited for the launch of the Jeep Meridian? Let us know in the comments.
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