Jeep India enters the immensely popular three-row SUV segment with the Jeep Meridian three-row SUV, as it debuts today to rival the likes of Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster, Mahindra Alturas G4, Isuzu MU-X, as well as the Kia Carnival. Slated for a market launch in the first half of 2022, the Jeep Meridian three-row SUV is the extended wheelbase version of the Jeep Compass SUV and will be built at the company's Ranjangaon facility, with 80 per cent localisation, so expect the American carmaker to price the 7-seater SUV aggressively.
Jeep Meridian 7-Seater SUV is based on the extended wheelbase version of the Jeep Compass.
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Christian Meunier, CEO, Jeep said, “The Meridian will cater to a niche audience. The 7-seater version will be Made-In-India and exported to global markets. With 80 per cent localisation, the Meridian will carry on our Made-In-India motto. For Jeep, Brazil and India are very important markets; while Brazil sets the benchmark for manufacturing, India is getting there.”
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The Jeep Meridian three-row SUV retains several design elements from the Jeep Compass, as well as receives a few from the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. It features Jeep's signature seven-slat grille, along with LED headlamps, a new front bumper with integrated LED DRLs, LED fog lamps, body claddings, integrated roof rails, and a panoramic sunroof. In profile, Jeep the Meridian will sit on a choice of either 17-inch alloy wheels or 18-inch alloys, depending on the variant. At the back, the Jeep Meridian three-row SUV gets horizontally positioned LED taillights, rear wiper and washer, an integrated spoiler, a boot-lid mounted number plate recess, and a rear bumper with reflectors. What also sets the large SUV apart from the Compass are the bigger rear overhang and larger rear doors for easy ingress and egress to the third row.
Also Read: New-Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee Coming To India In The Second Half Of 2022
Jeep Meridian is an extended wheelbase version of the Jeep Compass with a three-row seating layout.
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Inside, the Jeep Meridian three-row SUV continues with several elements from the Jeep Compass and is more premium with contemporary styling. The dashboard is also new, like the Compass, with generous use of premium soft-touch materials. The Meridian three-row SUV features a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with U-Connect 5 that offers a range of connected car features as standard such as remote commands, geofence, OTA updates, Find My Jeep, towing notification. There is also a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster on offer. The second and third rows get individual aircon vents as well as individual USB slots with fast charging capability. The front row will get ventilated, and power-adjustable seats.
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As far as safety goes, the Jeep Meridian three-row SUV will receive a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, and power tailgate, as well as ABS with EBD, ESC, electronic parking brakes, ISOFIX child seat mounts, traction control, 6 airbags, seat belt reminder, rear parking sensors with rear camera, hill-start assist and rear wiper and defogger as standard.
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The engine options for the Jeep Meridian three-row SUV are still under wraps, but it is confirmed that it will be offered in three powertrains and two trims, but in diesel only. So, at launch, the Meridian will be equipped with the Jeep Compass sourced 2.0-litre Multi-jet diesel unit that would develop 170 bhp and 350 Nm with a 6-speed manual gearbox and 4x2 system, or a 9-speed AT with either 4x2 or 4x4. However, the gear ratios will be slightly tuned to offset the added weight it puts on. The other diesel engine that could possibly make its way to India, is the 2.4L Tigershark four-cylinder naturally aspirated MultiAir II diesel engine, sourced from Chrysler, tuned to develop 184 bhp @ 6,400 rpm and 243 Nm @ 4,000 rpm, paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Details of the third engine would be announced closer to the launch.
