Jeep’s next big offering is a 7-seater SUV, called the Jeep Commander in North America. The same model will be launched in our market; however, it will be called the Jeep Meridian. The SUV is scheduled to make global debut in the next couple of months, while India launch is expected in the early 2022.
Ahead of the official debut, Jeep has released a teaser video with focus on the interior of the 7-seater Commander. The video reveals the features, styling and the third-row seat working. The SUV’s cabin is way more premium and offers better fit and finish than the Compass. The video reveals that the Jeep Commander or Meridian has leather upholstery for seats and panels in dual-tone shade, while the central console is finished in bronze shade. The centre armrest comes with an inscription Jeep 1941.
The second row features air conditioning and USD port at the bottom. The seats are wrapped in soft leather upholstery. The second-row seats can be folded down to give access to the third row. The third-row offers seat for two, mostly kids and sub-adults for short trips. There are USB ports for the third-row occupants as well.
Similar to the Compass, the Jeep Commander features a 10.21-inch all-digital instrument console and a large 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system will be compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It will support Adventure Intelligence platform that allows customer to lock and unlock the car, start the engine and other using a smartphone application.
The Jeep Commander will come with semi-autonomous driving system, which is evident from the adaptive cruise control and a lane-staying assistant feature on the steering wheel. Similar to the Compass, it will have license plate recognition, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beam and others. The teaser reveals that the Jeep Commander has electronic parking brake, descent assist, driving mode selector, and for the 4WD Low and 4WD Lock functions.
The new Jeep Meridian or Commander will be based on the FCA’s Small-Wide 4×4 platform, which also underpins the Compass SUV. The platform has been modified to accommodate a longer wheelbase. Adding to it, the architecture will be stronger and stiffer, and will also accommodate the second-gen Renegade.
The Jeep Meridian/Commander will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine with a 48V mild hybrid system. This engine will be a twin-turbocharged unit, and is expected to produce around 200bhp of power and over 400Nm of torque. It will be paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Brazilian-spec model will also get a new 1.3-litre turboflex engine that offers 185bhp of power and 270Nm of torque. It will be paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
