The new Jeep Meridian expands on the popular Compass and brings in a premium all-road experience for up to seven occupants.
A large, roomy and comfortable seven-seater isn’t easy to come by. There are a few that promise a lot, but even fewer who deliver on those promises. With the Meridian, Jeep India hope to rectify that.
The Jeep Meridian is a longer-wheelbase, seven-seater version of the Compass. It retains the virtues of the on-off-roader which made it popular in the first place: butch styling, spacious cabin, potent and capable drivetrain and a raw appeal of its rugged persona. The inimitable Jeep styling is unmistakeable with the seven-slot grille gracing the front end and lending it a dynamic face that looks ready for anything. Behind that grille and radiator sits a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine with 170 hp and 350 Nm, mated to a nine-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It will offer 95 hp/tonne and a top speed of 198 km/h. The suspension is independent and it is aided by frequency selective damping. Other safety kit includes six airbags as standard on all variants of the Jeep Meridian. Additional safety kit includes traction control, active roll control, active yaw control, shift and park assist and many more. The powered tail-gate also gets obstacle detection and customizable opening height with three easy operation modes.
The new Jeep Meridian is being marketed as a car that redefines sophistication and, this, brings a slew of new features. These include the signature Uconnect 5 suite with an 10.1-inch touchscreen taking centre stage and giving access to all essential aspects. Car settings, navigation, multimedia, audio and more are all a touch away. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too. The three-row SUV also provides comfort features like ventilated front seats with eight-way power adjust. There’s even some great equipment for those behind the front row. There’s a reclining second-row seatback and a dedicated air-conditioning for the third row. One unique feature is the 80° wide opening rear doors.
The Jeep Meridian will be launched in June 2022. It will be produced at the brand’s facility in Ranjangaon, near Pune, India. Jeep have achieved as much as 82 per cent localization.
