Jeep® Teases The Indian-Built 2023 Jeep Meridian D-SUV!

The 2022 Jeep® Commander (H1) has proven to be a hit in the country of Brazil, offering customers a premium three-row D-SUV. Designed by the Stellantis LATAM design studio with help from Jeep’s design studio in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the new three-row offering based on the company’s Small Wide 4×4 LWB architecture was designed to be a true global SUV. 

Enter the 2023 Jeep Meridian (H6), a clone of the Brazilian-built Commander. However, this version features a right-hand drive (RHD) configuration and will be assembled in Pune, Maharashtra, India. But why the name change? Jeep could not secure the rights to the Commander name, due to it already being trademarked by Mahindra. 

The Jeep Meridian will go up against some fierce competition in the Indian marketplace, like the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Mahindra Alturas G4, and VW Tiguan Allspace.

Only one powertrain is expected to make the Indian market. The 2.0-liter Multijet II turbodiesel inline-four-cylinder (also called the TD380 in Brazil). The diesel makes 168 horsepower (125 kW) and 280 lb.-ft. (380 N⋅m) of torque. The Multijet II is mated to a ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. Power will be sent to all four wheels, thanks to a standard Jeep Active Drive four-wheel-drive (4×4) system.

Inside, sophistication continues to be the main attribute of the new Meridian. Likely to be only offered in two trim levels (Limited and Overland), the Meridian will focus on being more of a premium offering in the Indian market. We expect the interior to mirror the Brazil-built Commander and feature a mix of materials that also brings an unparalleled feeling of softness and comfort.

The instrument panel (I/P) will feature a similar design to the recently updated Jeep Compass. The Commander has a hydrographic decorative film with a metallic finish, which varies according to the tone of the interior with a vertical touch of copper-colored chrome, a touch of brushed chrome, which we believe will also carry over to the Meridian. 

The Jeep Meridian is slated to be launched in India around mid-2022 and is expected to be priced between Rs 30 lakh to 35 lakh or about $39,850 to $46,500 USD.