Some automakers entered the full-size SUV class over time after which disappeared with out a whimper. As brutal as this phase is, Jeep shouldn’t be shying away from this fierce competitors as it’s throwing its hat into the ring with the brand new Meridian. It will sq. off towards the Toyota Fortuner, the MG Gloster, and the petrol-only Skoda Kodiaq. We deal with what might make the brand new Jeep SUV a power to reckon with.
Dual character
Based on the Compass platform, the Meridian will get an prolonged wheelbase to accommodate the third row. Its second-row doorways have an 80-degree opening angle, a primary within the phase, to make sure getting into and exiting the cabin is a chunk of cake. With darkish brown leather-based upholstery, the seats supply ample decrease again help and the seat squab is kind of supportive. The seating space is spacious in the case of legroom and shoulder room, although headroom is proscribed because of the panoramic roof.
To entry the third row, the seats in entrance simply fold and tumble with the assistance of a one-touch lever. Stepping into the final row is simple, but it surely will get confined. Even although seats might be reclined, there’s little or no knee room. Also, with seats positioned pretty low, the seating posture isn’t probably the most snug both, particularly for adults. We imagine Jeep missed a trick by not making sliding second-row seats.
More than meets the attention
The Meridian is the one SUV that comes with an unbiased entrance and rear suspension setup. To showcase its skill, we drove the Meridian on an off-road path. With excessive inclines and deep drops within the circuit together with specifically made steps for the Meridian to climb a hill, the SUV conquered all of it with out giving the obstacles a second thought. With an strategy and departure angle of 20 and 22 levels and 203 mm of floor clearance, it was a stroll within the park for the Meridian. Even although it’s armed with hill-start and descent management and a number of drive modes—sand/mud, snow, and auto—we by no means wanted to tinker round with the settings.
The unbiased suspension setup can also be a boon on the tarmac because it absorbs thuds when it goes over deep potholes and retains it remoted from the remainder of the car, guaranteeing the journey high quality doesn’t undergo.
Lone ranger
The Meridian is just obtainable in diesel (168 bhp, 2-litre engine with 350 Nm of torque). It will get two gearbox decisions: 6-speed handbook and 9-speed torque converter automated. Jeep has labored on the engine to ensure the extra weight doesn’t weigh in on it. As we drove the automated trim, the one grouse we had was that it might have downshifted a bit sooner, making overtaking simpler. The Meridian stays planted at excessive speeds, however the engine begins getting coarse and audible.
Final phrase
The Meridian could also be a stretched Compass, but it surely appears extra just like the Grand Cherokee. It actually has a distinguished street presence. It comes totally loaded with options like a 10-inch infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, entrance ventilated seats, electrical tailgate, 360-degree digicam, and extra. Space administration might have been significantly better, particularly for third-row passengers, however with its unimaginable off-and-on street driving functionality, it’s the benchmark in its class. Now all of it comes right down to how Jeep costs it. The Meridian is anticipated to be within the vary of Rs 35 lakh.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”