We’ve seen a few teasers for the upcoming Jeep three-row SUV, and now we have a date for its global debut. On August 26, the model, which will most likely be renamed the Meridian in India, is expected to be unveiled.
It will first be available in South America, where it will be known as the Commander. Jeep has teased the name of this new SUV as well as some of its exterior and interior design in Brazil. It’s also been spotted testing in India, but it’s always been hidden. The front end of the Commander will be similar to the facelifted Compass, while the back end will be similar to the Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer.
What To Know about the SUV
In India and South America, the Jeep Commander has been seen on numerous test drives. Several spy photos have revealed that the SUV will share many of its body panels with the Jeep Compass SUV. It will feature longer rear doors and a more upright rear design, similar to that seen on newer Jeeps like the Grand Cherokee L and Grand Wagoneer, and will have unique styling beyond the B-pillar. The rear tailgate will be similar to the Grand Cherokee sold overseas, with horizontally positioned tail lamps with LED elements. The Commander, or Meridian for India, shares the same platform and running gear as the Compass, as well as many interior components.
Due to the longer wheelbase, a closer look at one of the made-in-India mules of the upcoming Jeep Meridian revealed a more premium cabin and plenty of room for the third row. In India, the model is expected to be available in six and seven-seater configurations.
Engine Specs
The Jeep Commander, which will be unveiled later this month, will use the same 1.3-liter turbo flex petrol engine as the Compass sold in other markets. The Jeep Meridian, which is basically a right-hand-drive Commander with some design tweaks, will be manufactured in India and exported to a range of international markets, much like the Jeep Compass. This three-row Jeep will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine. It will have mild-hybrid technology, which will be a first for any diesel-powered Jeep SUV sold anywhere in the world.
Competition And Launch Date
The Jeep Meridian will compete against other three-row monocoque SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and the soon-to-be-reintroduced Skoda Kodiaq once it is released. However, due to its diesel engine and off-roading heritage, the Jeep could be considered a viable alternative to large ladder-frame SUVs such as the MG Gloster, Toyota Fortuner, and Ford Endeavour.
The Jeep Meridian (H6) is expected to start series production in India in April of next year, with a mid-2022 launch date.