Introduction
Two special editions of the Meridian were recently launched by Jeep, the Meridian X and the Meridian Upland. There are seven seats in this SUV, and the price starts at 32.95 lakh (ex-showroom). While the limited edition variant starts at Rs. 33.41 lakh and goes up to Rs. 38.47 lakh for the top-end model, the standard model starts at Rs. 33.41 lakh.
We take a quick walk-around of both models showing the ‘special’ bits, or rather everything that is different from the standard SUV model.
Exterior
We’ll start with the Meridian X, which features a more urban design that will mostly appeal to buyers looking for a seven-seater SUV with a premium appearance. The Limited Plus trim of this X model comes with a body-coloured fascia, bumpers in the front and rear, and a body-coloured rear bumper. There is the same Silver Moon color on the fender flares and side claddings as on the exterior of the car.
Additionally, the SUV is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with gray pockets on the inside. The rest of the wheels are black. It also has a gray roof along with gray ORVMs, which give it a more distinctive appearance. In addition, both the Upland Edition and this model come with side steps and splash guards as standard features.
Speaking of the Upland Edition, it is quite clear that it has been designed to cater to outdoor enthusiasts. The cosmetic enhancements make it scream adventure, which is why prospective buyers who take long road trips often will favor it. As shown in Jeep’s showroom, the Go-Anywhere look of the Upland Edition was complimented with the same display.
As well as looking fantastic, the new Galaxy Blue color in these pictures is also quite stunning. An unusual decal showing a mountain appears on the hood of the Upland when it comes to upgrades. Two functional elements are present: one is a roof carrier for storing all the additional items on an excursion, and the second is magnetic sun blinds with Jeep branding. Additionally, this one includes black side mouldings, side steps, and alloy wheels with black pockets to match its special edition theme.
Interior
A few additional features are available in both of these SUVs, which we’ll discuss shortly. The Meridian remains the same in terms of design, layout, and comfort as the standard seven-seater. Essentially, both variants are equipped with all the bells and whistles across these special editions as well. The brown leather seats embellished with ‘Emperador’ leather look good, are comfortable, and add a touch of luxury to the interior.
Even the quality of the materials is upmarket, and the cabin space is unchanged for a spacious feel. The front seats are electric, while the 60:40 split second row can be reclined, folded, and tumbled manually. There is the option to recline and fold flat the third row of seats with a split 50:50. This will provide a huge space for the boot.
On the inside, both cars are virtually identical, with the exception of some handy features like a boot organizer and a tyre inflator on the Upland Edition. A puddle lamp and footwell light are also included in the X edition. The Upland SUV buyers will enjoy all the features of the Limited (O) trim, while the Meridian X buyers will benefit from the features of the Limited Plus trim of the standard Meridian.
A huge sunroof, cornering fog lamps, DRLs, a power lift tailgate, and automatic LED projector headlamps are among the features that the vehicle boasts. There are also dual-zone climate control, third-row cooling, rain-sensing front wipers, a digital instrument cluster, and wireless charging among many other convenience features.
A 10.1-inch U-Connect infotainment screen paired with nine Alpine speakers fulfills the entertainment needs. The device comes with Bluetooth, a navigation system, voice commands, and support for Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Besides the rear-seat entertainment system, Jeep also offers a front-seat entertainment system. Featuring a Wi-Fi-enabled 11.6-inch touchscreen, it is currently on sale for a discounted price.
This vehicle is equipped with a variety of safety features, including six airbags, including side and side-curtain airbags. These two variants feature electronic stability control, traction control, an electronic parking brake, hill-start assist, a 360-degree camera, and TPMS.
Engine and gearbox
The powertrain options for both special editions remain the same as with the standard Meridian. It is powered by a familiar 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine producing 168 horsepower and 350Nm of torque.
It is only the transmission that differs between the X Edition and Upland Edition that differs, as the X Edition comes only with an automatic, while the Upland Edition also offers a manual transmission. Among its features are all-season tyres and FSD suspension, while the 4×4 models come with Selec-Terrain and hill descent control.
Conclusion
The new features included in this special edition are a great way to attract new customers and boost sales. Prospective buyers also benefit from such exclusive offerings, which are something they can be proud of and boast about. If you are looking for a premium SUV with seven seats, the Meridian X and Upland are worth considering.
