Iconic SUV brand Jeep has launched a brand new 7-seater in the Indian market. The new Jeep Meridian has been launched at an introductory starting price of Rs 29.9 lakh, ex-showroom and goes up to Rs 36.96 lakh for the top 4×4 model. Jeep gets many features that have not been seen before in the premium SUV segment. With the Meridian, Jeep is getting ready to take on the mighty Toyota Fortuner which has been a bestseller in the segment for a long time.
DESIGN AND COMFORT
The big USP of the Meridian is that it gets 3-row of seats and caters to a big family. The SUV gets 840 mm between the first and second row, and 780 mm between the second and third row, making it the most spacious vehicle in the segment. It also gets 481-litres of boot space while seating five people and 170 litres of boot space when all seven seats are occupied. To get access to the third row, the SUV gets one-touch fold-and-tumble seats in the second row and the 80-degree door opening angle to help passengers get in and out with ease. The SUV stands at a length of 4,769 mm, a width of 1,859 mm, 1,698 mm tall, and has a 2,782 mm long wheelbase.
According to Jeep, the Meridian is ready to take on the dreaded Indian summer. The SUV cools up to 30 per cent faster than competitors, thanks to the multi-zone climate control system, dedicated third-row AC-evaporator unit, and the thermo-acoustic cabin insulation. The Meridian features Emperador Brown leather seats, third-row cooling with controls, automatic headlamps and diamond cut dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels. The higher Limited (O) trim additionally gets a two-tone roof, a dual-pane sunroof, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, and a powered lift-gate with programmable height, obstruction detection, etc. The all-new Meridian is also a connected car and comes equipped with Jeep’s UConnect5 suite that offers a host of connectivity and infotainment features.
TRIMS AND POWERTRAINS
Jeep Meridian is available across two trims, Limited and Limited (O). Both Limited and Limited (O) are available with the 4×2 front-wheel drive and a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a nine-speed automatic transmission. A nine-speed automatic transmission with the 4×4 all-wheel drive is also available in the Limited (O) trim. The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates 170 hp at 3,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 350 Nm available between 1,750-2,500 rpm. Jeep is also claiming the fastest acceleration and highest power-to-weight ratio on the car. It can go from 0-100 km/h in just 10.8 seconds and can attain a top speed of 198 km/h. It is also claiming to be one the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the segment promising an ARAI certified figure of 16.2 km/l.
ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
The new Jeep Meridian gets the first-in-segment completely independent front and rear suspension setup. It comes equipped with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) and Hydraulic Rebound Stopper (HRS) to ensure a smooth ride, good comfort, and enhanced driving dynamics for all kinds of roads and terrains. It also promises the best steering control in the segment, thanks to the lowest parking torque of 2.2 Nm and a dynamic torque of 4.3 Nm. Its low turning radius of 5.7 m will help to an extent in city driving. The SUV’s credentials are further strengthened by the terrain-proven unibody SW platform which helps bring the authentic Jeep DNA to life.
Talking about safety, the Meridian gets 7 airbags, traction control, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind-spot detection, and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). It is now available for booking on Jeep India’s website and at Jeep dealerships across India with a down payment of Rs 50,000. Deliveries will begin in June.
The author is a senior editor at carandbike.com