Jeep Meridian, rival to Toyota Fortuner, launched in India: Highlights
- Jeep has launched 2022 Meridian three-row SUV in India at a starting price of ₹29.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The three-row SUV aims to take on Toyota Fortuner as its key rival and aim to fill the void left by Ford Endeavour.
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Jeep India is back with yet another SUV, the 2022 Meridian, which aims to disrupt the three-row mid-size premium category. Often considered as larger sibling of Jeep's popular five-seater SUV Compass, Meridian aims to carve its own identity among some of its segment stalwarts like Toyota Fortuner. Manufactured at Jeep India's facility in Ranjangaon, the Meridian is looking to emulate the success of the Compass that was launched in 2017. Besides the Fortuner, the new Jeep Meridian will also take on the likes of MG Gloster and Mahindra Alturas G4 SUVs.
Jeep Meridian launched
Jeep India has announced the price of the 2022 Meridian SUV. The three-row SUV has been priced starting from ₹29.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Click here to read our full launch report for more details.
Jeep Meridian: Safe as a house
Jeep Meridian SUV will come with a host of safety features. It offers 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, besides drive-related features like 360 degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic parking brake, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), traction control and hill-start assist among few.
Jeep Meridian: Size matters
2022 Jeep Meridian stands 4,769 mm in length, 1,698 mm in height and 1,859 mm in width. It also comes with a wheelbase of 2,782 mm. The ground clearance of 203 mm also helps it to tackle tough roads with ease.
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Jeep Meridian: Price expectation
Jeep India is likely to price the Meridian SUV above its popular five-seater offering Compass. Expect the prices to start from around ₹35 lakh. This will be closer to the price of Mahindra Alturas G4, which is the most affordable model in this segment, MG Gloster, and Meridian's key rival Toyota Fortuner SUVs.
Jeep Meridian third-row space
The Meridian is the first Jeep model in India with three-row offering. However, the space and comfort is a bit of a hit and miss as HT Auto found out during its first drive review. There is very limited space on offer at the third row in the Meridian. However, getting in and out is reasonably easy if one chooses to, courtesy the large door opening angle and the one-touch tumble and fold functionality on the second-row seats. The seats are positioned high up so the derrière is nearly at the same level as that of the folded legs. The seat cushioning itself is also quite limited, leaving only the recline as the positive takeaway from here.
Jeep Meridian: Interior design and features
The Meridian three-row SUV gets a host of features inside the cabin. The Jeep Meridian sports a large 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, complemented by a 10-inch tab-like free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, which is the centre of attention inside the cabin.
The touchscreen infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and multi-zone automatic climate control. Apart from that, the cabin also comes with a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera and six airbags.
Jeep Meridian: Design
2022 Jeep Meridian SUV comes with the signature Jeep vertical slats integrated front grille, which is flanked by LED projector headlamps that come with integrated LED daytime running lights. The LED DRLs come doubling up as turn indicators. The SUV also sports LED fog lamps with cornering functions located at the front bumper. It runs on 18-inch dual-tone Y-spoke alloy wheels. The rear profile of the SUV gets a thick chrome strip running the width of the car. It is flanked by sleek LED taillights. Jeep has used plenty of chrome trims across the exterior of the SUV.
Jeep Meridian colour options
The Jeep Meridian SUV will be available in five different colour options - Pearl White, Velvet Red, Techno Green, Grigio Magnesio, and Brilliant Black. The car will be available in dual-tone finishes as well.
See pics of Jeep Meridian, stylish by looks but tough on roads
See Jeep Meridian in action in these images.
Jeep Meridian: Engine, performance and other details
Under the hood, 2022 Jeep Meridian will draw power from a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine mated to either a nine-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual gearbox. It will be equipped with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems, and offer three drive modes including Snow, Sand/Mud and Auto. The SUV can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in just 10.8 seconds and attain a top speed of 198 kmph.
Watch: Jeep Meridian first drive review
Jeep Meridian bookings
2022 Jeep Meridian SUV is up for bookings already. One can log onto Jeep India's official website to pre-book the SUV. Customers can book their choice of Meridian by paying ₹50,000. Besides the Jeep website, bookings are being accepted across the carmaker's dealerships in India.
Jeep clarifies why India needs a new three-row SUV
It has been a while since Ford Motor wrapped up its business in India for good, taking out one of the major players in the segment. The void left by Ford Endeavour SUV, is something Jeep would like to capture, and grow, to put up some challenge to the segment leader Toyota Fortuner. Jeep says there is a clear preference towards SUV body type which should help the cause of Meridian. The 2022 Meridian three-row SUV should make Jeep's India lineup look more complete along with its popular two-row five-seater SUV Compass.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India.
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