- by Sohan Ingole
Introduction-
American automobile manufacturer Jeep came India in 2016, they reveal their first suv Compass in the market and from 2017 Compass really bangs up the market. And on that bombshell Jeep India announced that they are taking 4 new production unit till 2024 and now Jeep finally raised the curtains of their new 3 row suv named as Meridian.
This is based on Grand Cherokee, Jeep sells Grand Cherokee in USA and they will bring this massive suv in India also. Grand Cherokee is much bigger than Compass and Meridian, in India it will rival with Mercedes Benz GLE, BMW X5, Volvo xc90. Well this same Meridian is also selling in Brazil under the name of Commander, practically this is just a three row Compass with some added tech and dimensions with better off-road capabilities and driving manners. Now this Meridian is only available in the 3 trims and 6 variants. Jeep claimed that they are manufacturing their all lineups from a 82% of localisation and selling its SUV’s in great numbers and that’s a great thing, considering all American car manufacturers left India in recent years but still Jeep believes on there hardcore SUV’s .
Engine and performance –
Even in both the SUV’s the power output is unchanged, in this new Meridian we got the same 2.0 litre multi jet Diesel motor which also powers the Compass. Well this 2.0 litre multi jet motor produces 170bhp of power with redlines at 3750Rpm and 350Nm of torque with redlines at 1750Rpm. This diesel motor mated to a six speed manual or nine speed torque converter gearbox.
And the result is it goes 0 to 100 Kmph in just 10 seconds which is quite brisk considering the weight of the vehicle which is increased by 300kg to 400kg. The 4×2 version weighs 1800kg and 4×4 version weighs 1900kg, it’s a quite heavy and end of the day it’s a 3 row suv. The performance is quite punchy here, low end torque is missing but as we go beyond 3500Rpm it gets vocal and pulls very hard and strong. As we reached passed 3500Rpm to 3700Rpm it absolutely pushes hard and fast and we got that kick, punch which we always finding from this motor.
Like all big SUV’s it is very silent and linear in the low end of the rave range but changes into a complete beast in the top end. We also have driving modes and terrain modes (Sand, Mud, Snow, Auto) which is useful for bad terrain or off-road. In that sense this Jeep Meridian also got a option of 4×4 or AWD in its lineup. Well this Meridian is also capable for extreme bad terrain and off-road also, it has to be cause it’s a traditional Jeep. Ride height and quality is improved in this Meridian thanks to the Frequency Selected Dampers (FSD) and Hydraulic Stopper Rebound (HSR). This suv also got independent front and rear suspension for its uni body architecture which improves the overall stability and manoeuvrability of the vehicle. Now only Diesel engine is available in this Meridian but after the launch it also gets Petrol unit, but considering the amount of weight and power it gets. The petrol unit will definitely drinks a lot of fuel, now this Diesel unit gives us a average fuel economy near 8 to 12kmpl .
In city driving it will written the average fuel efficiency near 6 to 8 kmpl, but in long runs you can stretch it to 10 to 12kmpl. Now the 4×4 is only available with the 9 speed automatic gearbox option, we don’t get manual transmission in the 4×4 unit. But still it’s a great unit with ample amount of power and torque which is also capable to pull it hard and run into a off-road track. Terrain modes will also alter the driving experience and performance of the vehicle.
Exterior-
The Jeep Meridian is bigger in all dimensions than Compass and has one added row in the cabin. It is 4769mm longer, 1859mm wider and 1682mm taller. The wheelbase is 2794mm which is increased by 146mm compared to Compass, ground clearance is 210mm which is enough for extreme bad patches.
The exterior of the Meridian is very much similar to the Grand Cherokee and shows some footprints of traditional Jeep design language. At front we got typical Jeep style 7 slat chrome grill with front parking camera inside it, headlights are complete led unit which is now sleek and gets some different design than Cherokee. We have a chrome line which is running throughout the width of bumper at front, most of the time it attracts our eye sight.
Below it we have another chrome line which is bit on lower side and get two parking sensors below it. Coming to the side, it runs on 18 inch alloys which is a fresh unit and personally the design of the alloy is just from another league, it is very attractive and appealing gives best stance to the vehicle. We got square wheel arches with black coloured body cladding which is running on both the sides of vehicle. That square wheel arches provide a macho and muscular look to the Meridian with an aggressive stance also.
In the Meridian we have black dual tone paint which gets glossy black finished roof and outside mirrors, they look classy but hard to keep clean. Jeep used lots of chrome elements on the body like, chrome plated Meridian written on the lower half of the doors, chrome line running throughout the length of the vehicle. This chrome elements improves the design language and also looks more appealing in dark colours.
The A pillar and B pillar is more or less the same and looks very similar to the Compass but the D pillar is changed here, from the rear part it completely looking new. The tailgate is very much inspired from Grand Cherokee, firstly we get very slick taillights with all led unit. There is also one chrome line which joins both the taillights, this whole unit is very slim and sleek. The bumper is finished in black with chrome line running on it, they tried to match front with this chrome line.
Well we also got parking sensors, rear camera, defogger and wiper washer with a powered tailgate. The exterior is very much appealing than Compass and they also tried to get that rigid feeling with new design also. That additional chrome plating adds modern design language to this Meridian but similarly they also gave us some crazy rigid bits in this Jeep like squared wheel arches, 18inch alloys and more. This Jeep Meridian is a perfect combo of off-road capable and new age big fat suv.
Interior-
Jeep Meridian is a full fat massive sized suv, like it’s big dimensions we got very spacious cabin with added 3rd row in it.
In the Compass we only have two rows but this Meridian got that additional third row. Cabin is finished in brown plus black leather with some added soft touch material, dashboard is grown up version of Compass. The design of dashboard is very similar to Compass but because of the bigger dimensions it is looking like grow up version. We got plain leather finished black coloured dashboard, this black coloured treatment is carried on the lower half of the cabin also.
In the middle of the dash we have brown leather treatment which joints the both end of dashboard and differentiate the dash in two parts. We got chrome there too with some sleek linings running on it with continuous AC vents treatment also. There is a 10.1 inch floating touchscreen infotainment system which is a refreshed unit compared to Compass, in this screen we got radio, media, navigation, vehicle settings, driving data, off-road settings and lots of other features which we seen in lots of cars.
Below this screen we have two AC vents and it’s controls with some USB’s. The centre console is loaded with vehicle controls and switches like a wireless charging pad, electric parking brake, driving mode controller, cup holders, off-road drive dial, centre armrest and a gear liver which is coming from Compass. In the centre console they used glossy black finishing which is looking attractive but very hard to keep clean and sometimes it converts into a fingerprint magnet also.
The steering wheel is again very much similar to Compass, it’s a leather wrapped unit with mounted controls on it, these switches operate that 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster which is similar unit which is taken from Compass, in this screen we get lots of engine related data like TPMS, compass, tripmeter, vehicle data and lots of customisable themes.
These both screens are very sleek and easy to use, the resolution and graphics are really improved now than previous one which we seen in Compass. Front seats are comfortable and pleasant, doesn’t feel tired even on long routes. Thanks to the ventilated seats and memory seat function. Like that in second row we have bench seats with three height adjustable headrest and one centre armrest.
AC vents are placed middle of the cabin, legroom and knee room is excellent and three people can seat comfortably without any doubt. Headroom is not an issue thanks to the massive panoramic sunroof and 18 inch alloys which gave a better ride height to this Meridian.
Third row –
Some major changes in this Meridian compared to the Compass is that added row in the cabin, in the third row we got two seats with height adjustable headrest and AC vents which is placed on roof.
To access third row we can easily tumble down the second row seats with one press. We can get inside easily with 0 issues but the space in the third row is bit on lower side. The legroom and knee room is 0 here or only sufficient for children’s only, basically this row is good for children only. The headroom is ample but because of the poor amount of legroom and knee room, sometimes it’s better to recline down these seats and increase our boot space.
With the all seats up we get approx 200 litres of space, but after reclining the third row in 50:50 ratio it gets 400+ litres boot space which is actually big enough. We can also recline the second row 40:60 ratio, with all the two rows down can give a massive amount of space inside this Meridian.
Comfort and Convenience-
In this new Jeep Meridian we have tons of new age features like electrically adjustable driver and co-driver seats with memory seat function, connected car tech, electric tailgate with gesture mode,
automatic headlights, automatic wipers, electric parking brake, wireless charging pad, automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, rear seat ac vents, 360 degree parking camera and more.
Safety and tech-
In this new Jeep we have lots of safety tech like 6 airbags, ABS and EBD, brake assist, traction control, electronic stability program, hill hold control, hill descent control, TPMS, 360 degree parking camera with rear parking sensors, limited slip differential lock, auto speed door lock and many more. Now Jeep Meridian is available in 5 colour options.
- Techno Metallic Green
- Brilliant Black
- Pearl White
- Velvet Red
- Magnesio Grey
Conclusion-
Well the price of Jeep Meridian starts from 29.90L to 36.95L (Ex-showroom Delhi) we can place this big fat suv in the middle of Jeep Compass and Toyota Fortuner. In this segment it will directly compete with Skoda Kodiaq, MG Gloster, Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Superb, Audi Q2. The price of this Jeep Meridian will surely under 40 lakhs (ex-showroom), cause they are trying to beat the fortuner with its aggressive pricing.
Overall this Jeep Meridian is complete package of new age technology and also capable for hardcore off-road, Jeep well managed this suv by making it off-road capable. Kudos to Jeep to still believe in the market, now most of the American car brands left the India but still Jeep believes in their crazy SUV’s and claim that they are planed to launch three more vehicles till 2024 with a 90% of localisation. If they prices this Meridian right in the slot, this suv will surely increase the sales of Jeep in India.
Rating From Team Ignition To Jeep Meridian
Jeep Meridian – Excellent Package of Technology and Rigidity
-Team Ignition
All photos credit- Jeep Skymotors Wakad, Pune and Team Ignition
- Edited by Atharva Patil
- Maruti Suzuki Swift Celebrates 3 Millions Sales Milestone
The Maruti Suzuki Swift continues to be a significant player in the Indian automotive market. Recently, the company announced an impressive milestone, surpassing 30 lakh units in sales since the Swift’s launch. This achievement underscores the model’s enduring popularity and importance in India. The fourth-generation Swift, launched in India this year, starts at an attractive price of Rs. 6.49 lakh (ex-showroom).… - Mahindra XUV700 Surpassed 2 Lakh Units Milestone
The Mahindra XUV700 has reached a remarkable milestone by exceeding two lakh units of production in India. It achieved the first lakh units in just 21 months and reached the two lakh units mark within 33 months. To commemorate this achievement, Mahindra has introduced two new colors for the SUV: Deep Forest and Burnt Sienna. While Deep Forest is already used… - Hyundai Inster EV Is Here, Offers 355 KM Of Range
Hyundai’s new entry level electric car is here, automaker has officially revealed Inster EV in global market. Hyundai Inster EV is a Casper based EV which is a currently selling in Korea and due to its compact size, it is known as a fun to drive sub-compact suv. This car will be launched in Korean market first and Hyundai will bring… - All New BMW M5 Revealed, Now Has Plug-In Hybrid System
BMW has unveiled the new generation of the M5, a performance-oriented luxury sedan. The latest model features a new plug-in hybrid powertrain, making it the most powerful M5 to date. The global launch of the new BMW M5 is set for November 2024, and it will be accompanied by the introduction of the new BMW M5 Touring. - Audi RS Q8 Now Gets Performance Variant, Produces 640HP
The Audi RS Q8 now has a new top-tier Performance variant, making it the brand’s most powerful internal combustion engine car. This performance variant of RS Q8 now gets an additional 40hp of power and 50Nm of torque, which makes this suv 0.2 seconds faster goes 0 to 100 KMPH in just 3.6 seconds. - Hyundai Kona Electric Discontinued, New Creta EV In The Pipeline
Hyundai India has delisted all-electric Kona SUV from their website, suggesting it may be discontinued in the country. The Hyundai Kona Electric, introduced in 2019 as India’s first electric SUV, had a last-recorded ex-showroom price of Rs. 23.84 lakh.To boost sales, the company has frequently offered substantial discounts, sometimes up to Rs. 1.5 lakh. The Hyundai Kona Electric came equipped with… - Nissan X-Trail India Launch Confirmed, First Teaser Out
Nissan has provided a sneak peek of the updated X-Trail for the Indian market in a teaser video. The X-Trail, along with the Qashqai and Juke SUVs, showcases several key design elements. Nissan X-Trail is already selling in few countries, but now Nissan is gearing up the launch of its mid-sized suv in India. The X-Trail will be available in India… - Tata Curvv, New Details Revealed Ahead Of Its Launch
As the launch of the Tata Curvv approaches, more spy shots continue to reveal new details about the coupe-SUV. The homegrown automaker will first introduce the EV version, followed by the ICE variants. The Tata Curvv is now confirmed to feature an electric panoramic sunroof. On the exterior, it is expected to have a split headlamp setup, redesigned front and rear… - Mini India To Launch Two New Cars on 24th July
The Mini Cooper S and Mini Cooper Countryman Electric are set to be launched in India on July 24th. Recently, the new generation Mini Cooper made its debut in the global market, and now Mini is ready to introduce these two fresh models in the country. Meanwhile, BMW is also gearing up to launch the new generation 5 Series LWB in… - BMW 5 Series LWB Bookings Opened In India, Launch On 25th July
BMW has opened bookings for the new-generation 5 Series in India ahead of its launch on 24 July. Notably, this marks the first time the BMW 5 Series will be available in a long-wheelbase version in the Indian market. Currently, customers can book the 530Li M Sport LWB variant. They can choose from three exterior paint options: M Carbon Black Metallic,… - Tata Motors Has Sold Over 1.5 lakh EV’s In India !
Tata Motors has reached a remarkable milestone in its electric vehicle business, selling over 1.5 lakh units of EVs in India. Moreover, the brand has seen an impressive year-on-year growth of 48 percent, with 73,800 EVs sold in FY2024 compared to 50,000 units in FY2023. Currently, Tata Motors boasts four electric vehicles in their lineup: the Tiago EV, Tigor EV, Punch… - New Gen Skoda Kodiaq Spied First Time In India
Skoda India has commenced testing the fourth-generation Kodiaq in India, as revealed by recent spy shots of an uncamouflaged test model painted in white. The new-generation Skoda Kodiaq is anticipated to make its debut in India towards the end of the year. - Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Spied, Front Design Leaked !
Hyundai is set to introduce a facelift for the Alcazar, and recent spy shots have provided new insights into its updated design. The latest images reveal that the Hyundai Alcazar will feature unique LED daytime running lamps. Additionally, the grille is slightly larger and sports horizontal slats, giving it a fresh look. The main headlamp unit, which is vertically stacked, appears… - 2025 BMW X3 Is Here, What’s New ?
BMW has introduced the all-new fourth-generation X3 SUV, which is built on a new platform and features updated aesthetics both inside and out, along with an electric version which scheduled to reveal in global market soon. The dimensions of 2025 BMW X3 have been slightly increased compared to its predecessor, it measures 4,755mm in length, 1920mm wider and 1,660mm tall. Wheelbase… - Citroen C3 Aircross Dhoni Edition Launched
Citroen India has introduced the C3 Aircross Dhoni Edition, starting at Rs. 11.82 lakh (ex-showroom). This special edition celebrates their brand ambassador, cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and is limited to just 100 units nationwide. The Dhoni Edition of Citroen C3 Aircross features unique ‘Dhoni’ decals, color-coordinated seat covers, cushions, seatbelt cushions, a front dashcam, and illuminated sill plates. Additionally, each unit…
