By | Photos by Siddharth Dadhe
If you’re looking for an SUV with great looks, space for up to seven occupants, and the ability to go off-road, the Jeep Meridian is quite likely to be one of the choices. It is based on the same platform as the highly popular Jeep Compass but gets completely new looks, and according to Jeep, the only major element on the outside that the two share is the windscreen.
So it’s clearly more than just an XL version of the Compass, but if you were to forget all that for a moment, what does the Meridian offer the customer more than added space and cool looks? We head out for a drive to find the answers to that and more.
- Also read: GT out of my way!
Rugged Elegance
Let’s start with the way the Meridian looks. As a modern Jeep, it needs to have character, and there’s a bucket load of that here, too. It’s very Grand Cherokee-like in overall appearance, with a distinctly more upmarket design than the Compass. The swept-back LED headlamps, a large air dam, and the iconic Jeep grille define the SUV’s front.
The profile is quite different from the Compass’s; the roofline is flat; and its 18-inch wheels, shared with the Compass, somehow look better here. The rear isn’t drab, either, with the three-pod LED taillights lending the Meridian a typical large American SUV look.
Inside, the Meridian has a cabin similar to that of the Compass but with the optional third row of seats, giving this SUV a 5+2 seating configuration. Space in the third row is limited, but access isn’t an issue; it’s just about okay for short journeys. The overall quality inside is top-class and there’s no dearth of luxury feel inside.
Feature Packed
The overall quality inside is top-class and there’s no dearth of luxury feel inside.
| Photo Credit: Siddharth Dadhe
The list of features includes a 360-degree camera, a 10.1-inch touchscreen system, a panoramic sunroof, a fully digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker sound system. The inclusion of a large rear quarter glass ensures passengers in the third row don’t feel claustrophobic, and with the rear doors which open to an impressive 80-degree angle, getting inside isn’t going to be an issue, either.
All-Terrain Force
A 2-litre diesel engine powers the Meridian. It makes 168 bhp and 35.69 kg-m, and the claimed 0-100 km/h time is a respectable 10.8 seconds. It’s far from the most powerful engine, but with the power delivery being smooth and the overall refinement quite decent, it suits the Meridian well. It can be specced with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic. Similarly, both 4×2 and 4×4 models are available, and the latter also includes the Selec-Terrain system, which allows the driver to choose between Sand, Mud, and Snow to refine the SUV’s abilities.
While it doesn’t sport a ‘Trailhawk’ badge like the Compass, its ability to tackle bad terrain is commendable. With 203 mm of ground clearance, an approach angle of 20 degrees and a departure angle of 22 degrees, water wading of up to 16 inches and the ability to tackle descents of up to 44 degrees, the Meridian, despite its longer wheelbase and spacious interior, appears to be ready for adventure.
Back on the tarmac, the overall ride is comfortable, as the Meridian’s independent suspension soaks bumps and potholes without any issues. The overall stability on the highway is good, too, while the steering, although responsive, seems a little too heavy for the city. We feel that the nine-speed automatic gearbox robs the SUV of sportiness. The other cons are the absence of captain chairs in the second row, the presence of ISOFIX points only in the second row, and, as mentioned above, limited space in the third row.
Priced between ₹24.99 lakh and ₹38.79 lakh (ex-showroom), the Jeep Meridian is a good 7-seater SUV that looks great and won’t mind carving a path for itself, thanks to its impressive off-road-readiness. It bridges the gap between luxury 5-seat SUVs and full-size 7-seaters. The competition is tough, especially from the Gloster, Safari, XUV 700, and Fortuner, but the Meridian, albeit not perfect, looks well-equipped to make its presence in the SUV space.
Rewrite this news article and keep the same structure, information and length.
