Jeep Meridian

The Jeep Meridian is a large family SUV that’s available in the Rs 35-40 lakh price range. This seven-seater SUV is based on the popular Jeep Compass. The only direct rival is a Skoda Kodiaq, which is priced slightly higher. For a similar price, you could opt for 5-seater SUVs such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Citroen C5 AirCross, Hyundai Tucson or the Jeep Compass itself. 

Alternatively, you could look at SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner and the MG Gloster in a similar price range. 

Looks

The Meridian looks like the Compass when viewed from the front. But from all other angles, especially the back with its unique taillights, it resembles a smaller Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Many will like that Jeep chose a boxy design over a curvy one. The square shape is complemented by stylish chrome details and attractive 18-inch alloy wheels. During our drive in Punjab, it was clear that many people prefer large cars, even if they don't necessarily need them. While it may not be as imposing as vehicles like the Fortuner or Gloster, the Meridian has a noticeable presence on the road.

Compared to the Compass, the Meridian is 364mm longer, 41mm wider and 42mm taller. The wheelbase (distance between the front and rear wheels) is longer by 158mm as well. 

Interior

Inside, the Meridian gives a luxurious feel, thanks to the abundant use of high-quality trim and soft-touch materials. It's on par with the Compass in terms of interior quality, so it doesn't offer an upgrade in that regard. However, the brown-black interior color scheme adds a touch of elegance. 

The doors open wide and the seats are set at a neutral height. While there’s a bit of a climb to get inside the cabin, it’s not as tall as a Fortuner/Gloster. The front seats offer good support and you can spend long hours here on a road trip without aches and pains. 

In the rear seat, the Meridian provides a roomy feel with enough space for a six-foot-tall person to sit comfortably behind a driver of the same height. The underthigh support is worth a special mention. 

Nonetheless, it doesn't create the impression of being significantly larger than the Compass, especially in terms of cabin width. In fact, the second-row seat in the Compass offers better back support for taller individuals due to its taller seat back height, while the Meridian's middle-row seat is taller, resulting in slightly less headroom compared to the car it's based on.

So, if you typically have a chauffeur driving you around and don't require the additional comfort of the Meridian's ride quality or the need for a third-row seat, the Compass should suffice.

The third row situation is somewhat complex. If the third row is meant for children or shorter adults, it works well. The headroom back there is quite accommodating, there are roof AC vents with adjustable blower speed, and even cupholders. The seats can be reclined, which is a plus. However, it's not a full-fledged 7-seater like the Fortuner or Gloster, which offer significantly more space and comfort. The seating position in the Meridian's third row is knees-up, and there isn't much legroom to spare (the middle row can't be slid forward). The one-touch tumble function for the middle row is helpful, but adults may find it challenging to exit the third row without bending quite a bit or simply sitting on the floor and sliding out.

So, the third row makes the most sense if you want the added practicality of a larger boot or if you'd like to bring a pet along for road trips.

Features

It’s loaded on the features front as well with highlights including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10.2-inch fully-digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof and powered front seats with ventilation and memory settings.

Other Features

Safety

All variants of the Meridian get 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control as standard. ISOFIX child seat mounts are also available. 

Notably, for a car of this size and price, Jeep should have offered ADAS. Safety features such as auto emergency braking, forward collision warning and rear cross traffic alert are a part of the ADAS package. Notably, vehicles that are substantially more affordable compared to the Meridian (such as the Safari and the XUV700) offer this. 

Drive

The Meridian uses the same diesel engine as the Compass, which generates 170PS of power and 350Nm of torque, but since it's heavier, it can feel a bit lacking in terms of overall performance.

Even the throttle tune seems a little more progressive and less urgent vs the Compass, in the interest of drive smoothness, so flooring the throttle won’t make you go wow. The diesel clatter is also apparent, if not intrusive, and the 9-speed automatic transmission can feel a little slow to respond when you’re looking to get a move on quickly at high speeds.

It fares excellently as a daily commuter or a highway mile-muncher though, courtesy the easy maneuverability and how relaxed it is cruising at highway speeds. 

Ride and Handling

The Meridian is a reasonably agile handler, making it enjoyable to drive for a car of its size. It effectively manages body roll when you encounter twisty roads. However, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more power from the engine. 

The standout feature of the Meridian, though, is something you won't fully appreciate in the showroom - its ride quality. Jeep has managed to provide a comfortable ride that you would typically associate with a tough ladder-frame SUV. The Meridian handles bumps exceptionally well, even when equipped with large 18-inch alloy wheels. What's even better is that you don't have to endure the bumpy or stiff ride often found in heavier body-on-frame SUVs like the Fortuner. As a result, the Meridian consistently offers a comfortable ride on both smooth and rough roads.

We also took the Meridian through a trail that included challenges like rock crawls, steep and sandy inclines, angular drops and axle breakers. The off-road area was reasonably challenging and enough to keep seasoned off roaders entertained with the Meridian’s electronics work excellently to make off-roading comfortable for amateurs as well. The low-range is a transmission lock (a la Compass Trailhawk) and there isn’t a traditional transfer case but there’s more than enough capability for weekend trailrunners.

Verdict

Jeep has managed to find a good balance in its space, offering enjoyable driving dynamics without feeling delicate and when it has to go off-road, it can put up with a whole lot more than just dirt roads or slush.

It also feels rich on the inside and is loaded on the features front as well. Is it an upgrade vs the Compass? If you own the old model, yes, and this can also be considered if you were planning to buy the new Compass and want more practicality or flexibility. 

We’d have wanted to see a little more power from the engine, and a more usable third row would have made the Meridian the perfect package.