2022 Jeep Meridian: Compass-based seven-seater teased for India

Jeep has kicked off its teaser campaign for the 2022 Meridian seven-seat SUV, which is set to launch in India later this year.

The large SUV will join the China-only Grand Commander and Latin America Commander, as well as the international Grand Cherokee L and North American Wagoneer, in the global seven-seat Jeep line-up.

Built on a stretched version of the Compass platform, the Meridian will share most parts with the Commander revealed in mid-2021 for Latin America. However, like the Indian-market Compass, production will take place in India.

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Measuring in at 4769 millimetres long and 1859mm wide, the Meridian is 158mm longer and 39mm wider than the Compass. It also sports an extended wheelbase of 2794mm (+154mm over the Compass), allowing for a three-row cabin with a luggage capacity of 661 litres in five-seat configuration.

Local media suggests the Meridian will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, producing around 125kW of power and 350Nm of torque, as seen in the Compass – although it could receive a power bump to accommodate for its added heft.

In South America, the related Commander is available with a 134kW 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, along with the 2.0-litre diesel mill.

A mild-hybrid powertrain could also make its way under the bonnet.

Power is expected to be sent to either two or four wheels through a nine-speed torque-convertor automatic transmission.

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Above: Jeep Commander

Although the Commander and Meridian look closer to the new-generation Grand Cherokee than the Compass outside, the interior design is almost identical to the latter SUV. As such, both pick up a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch UConnect 5 infotainment system with wireless smartphone mirroring.

With right-hand drive versions of the Compass small SUV manufactured in India (including for Australia), the Meridian could be exported to Australia to compete against other seven-seat SUVs – such as the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Kia Sorento – in the hotly-contested large segment.

The 2022 Jeep Meridian will be unveiled in India in the coming weeks, ahead of its market launch later this year.