American SUV maker, Jeep will has recently launched the new Commander 7-seater SUV in the Brazilian market. It is basically the 7-seater version of the Compass; however, the company has made significant changes to its styling. The new 7-seater SUV will also arrive in our market with a different name, as it is rumoured to be called the Jeep Meridian.
Jeep Meridian India Launch
The company has officially announced that the new Compass based 7-seater SUV will be launched in India in 2022. The exact launch timeline is yet to be launched, but we expect it to be launched in the first half of 2022.
Expected Price & Competition
The new Jeep Meridian 7-seater SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X, Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace and the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq facelift. The new model is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 35 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.
Modified Compass Platform
The new model is based on the Small Wide 4×4 platform, which underpins the Compass and the Renegade. However, Jeep engineers have modified the platform to accommodate a longer wheelbase. Adding to it, the company has used high strength steel to make the platform stronger.
Jeep Meridian Engine Specs
The Brazilian-spec Commander 7-seat is offered with two engine options – a 185PS, 1.3L turbocharged petrol with 6-speed AT and a 170PS, 2.0L turbo-diesel with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Diesel variant also gets a 4WD system as optional. The India-spec Jeep Meridian is most likely to use the twin-turbocharged version of the 2.0L diesel engine, which should produce around 200bhp and over 400Nm of torque.
Dimensions
The new Jeep Meridian measures 4,769mm in length, 1,859mm in width and 1,682mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,794mm. The wheelbase has been increased by 158mm to accommodate a longer body. Compared to the Compass, the new Meridian is around 364mm longer, 41mm wider and 42mm taller.
Meridian Design
The company is currently testing the 7-seater SUV in India. The SUV has recently been spotted testing in Ladakh. It has a big body and has dominating road presence. The India-spec model will look largely identical to the Brazilian-spec model. However, Jeep India will make some changes to suit Indian buyers tastes and preferences.
It is longer, more spacious and premium version of the Compass SUV. The SUV shares styling cues from the bigger Jeep SUVs including the Grand Cherokee L. Design highlights include signature slat grille, rectangular full LED headlamps and tail-lamps, a newly designed bumper, large faux vents with LED DRLs and fog lamps with a chrome strip running across the front.
Jeep Meridian Interior
The Meridian looks largely identical to the Compass SUV. The cabin is way more premium and offers better fit and finish than the 5-seater model. The SUV gets leather upholstery for seats and panels in dual-tone shade, and the central console is finished in bronze shade. The centre armrest comes with an inscription Jeep 1941. The second row has AC and USB port at the bottom, while the seats has soft leather upholstery.
The second-row seats can be folded down to give access to the third row, and the third row offers seat for two. There are USB ports for the third-row occupants as well. The Jeep Meridian has 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 SUV will also come with semi-autonomous driving system with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-staying assistant, license plate recognition, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beam and others. The SUV has electronic parking brake, descent assist, drive mode selector, and for the 4WD Low and 4WD Lock functions.
