Finance
Jeep India officially launched the Meridian three-row SUV in the country on Thursday, with the base variant with manual transmission starting at 29.90 lakh (ex showroom). The top-of-the-line variant with automatic transmission costs 36.95 lakh (ex showroom). Nipun Mahajan of Jeep India believes the price structure is disruptive and will help the SUV compete with its rivals.
| Jeep Meridian full price structure | |
| Limited MT FWD | ₹29.90 lakh |
| Limited (O) MT FWD | ₹32.40 lakh |
| Limited 9AT FWD | ₹31.80 lakh |
| Limited (O) 9AT FWD | ₹34.30 lakh |
| Limited (O) 9AT 4×4 | ₹36.95 lakh |
| (ex-showroom, introductory prices) |
Meridian now competes with segment leader Toyota Fortuner, which has been a dominant player in the Indian landscape for years, as well as MG Gloster. “Brand Jeep believes it is time for Indian customers to embark on a new journey in the refined and capable Jeep Meridian.” Our pricing reflects our intention to disrupt the segment and provide unrivalled value to customers looking for a powerful, spacious, and sophisticated SUV,” said Mahajan, Jeep Brand India Head.
Meridian, which is based on the same platform as the Compass, the mid-size SUV that helped Jeep gain a firm foothold in the country, hopes to replicate the success of its younger sibling with a premium cabin, extensive feature list, three-row seating, and some very capable 4WD credentials.
While the AWD version is the one to look out for, the Meridian is also available with FWD drivetrain.
LED headlights with LED DRLs are standard on the Jeep Meridian. It also has a full-width chrome bar that cuts through the front bumper. The SUV is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels.
The Meridian is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder multijet diesel engine that also powers the Compass. The Meridian’s engine produces 167 horsepower and 350 Newton-meters of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The SUV does not have a petrol engine option.
| Jeep Meridian tech specs | |
| Drive Type | 4×2 (FWD), 4X4 (AWD) |
| Transmission | 6MT, 9AT |
| Max power | 170hp |
| Max torque | 350 Nm |
| Brakes | All Disc |
With a top speed of 198 kmph, the Meridian claims to reach 100 kmph in 10.8 seconds, which is quite impressive given the vehicle’s dimensions and proportions.
Jeep Meridian dimensions:
Meridian has a length of 4,679 mm, a width of 1,858 mm, and a height of 1,698 mm. It has a 203 mm ground clearance. Even though it appears more premium than the Fortuner, the Toyota has a more imposing road presence than the Jeep.
| Jeep Meridian dimensions (in mm) | ||
| Meridian | Fortuner | |
| Length | 4,769 | 4,795 |
| Width | 1,858 | 1,855 |
| Height | 1,698 | 1,835 |
| Ground clearance | 203 | 225 |
Jeep Meridian exterior highlights:
On the outside, the Meridian has a confident stance and shape, and while it isn’t as butch as some of its competitors, it has strong geometric lines all around. The face features the signature seven-slate grille, LED headlights, and LED DRLs on either side. The face is completed by a solid chrome bar that divides the bumper and large air dams.
The SUV rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with wide arches. From the front arch to the back door handle, there is a strong character line. The vehicle’s rear receives LED tail lights, a chrome connector in the centre, and a grey rear bumper garnish.
Jeep Meridian cabin highlights:
Meridian has three rows of seating, and while the third row has limited space, the cabin is as luxurious as one would expect from a Jeep. The main infotainment screen is 10.1 inches, and other features include an all-digital driver display, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, among others.
Source:ASTech
