What is it?

Last month, Jeep India introduced two new special-edition models of the Meridian SUV, dubbed Meridian X and Meridian Upland. The Meridian X is based on the Limited Plus variant, while the Meridian Upland is based on the Limited(O) trim. The special edition Meridians get a distinct look that make them stand out and are capable both on off-road trails as well as the urban jungle. We have seen both these SUVs in person and here is everything you need to know about it.

How is it on the outside?

Starting with the Meridian X, it is designed to focus more on lifestyle-oriented urban customers and is best for those who are looking for a premium seven-seater SUV. Based on the Limited Plus trim, the Meridian X is painted in a Silvery Moon hue with grey roof, pillars, and ORVMs. The front and the rear along with the side cladding are painted in the body colour. It now rides on 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with grey pockets.

The Jeep Meridian Upland, on the other hand, is for those who seek adventure. The SUV has enhanced adventure elements such as a roof carrier, sunshades, a uniquely designed hood decal, and cargo mats. The side steps and splash guards come as standard in both editions. This SUV comes painted in a Galaxy Blue shade.

How is it on the inside?

The Jeep Meridian X debuts with a new blue footwell light, puddle lamps, floor mats, and a boot mat. The Meridian Upland, on the other hand, gets all the fitments as the Meridian X along with a boot organiser and an emergency tyre inflator. Apart from this, both SUVs benefit from all the features of the Limited (O) trim. This includes a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing front wipers, cornering fog lamps, and a lot more.

While the front seats are electronically adjustable, the second row can be manually split in 60:40 or even tumbled. The last row seat gets a 50:50 split and can be fully reclined to increase the boot space and stuff more luggage.

What’s on the feature list?

Right at the centre of the dashboard, you get a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This system is synced in with nine Alpine speakers to deliver crystal-clear sound inside the cabin. Additionally, to keep one entertained in the second row, the manufacturer offers an optional Wi-Fi-enabled 11.6-inch touchscreen rear entertainment package at a discounted price.

On the safety front, the duo comes equipped with an electronic parking brake, an all-speed traction control system, electronic stability control, and a hill start assist. Furthermore, safety features like airbags and curtain airbags, a 360-degree camera, front and reverse parking sensors, and a tyre pressure monitoring system are also included in the package.

What is it powered by?

While the manufacturer has changed the appearance of the SUV, the soul remains the same as that of the standard Meridian. At the heart of both these SUVs is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that is tuned to produce 168bhp and 350Nm of torque. The transmission duty on the Meridian X is handled by a nine-speed automatic gearbox, whereas customers can also opt for a six-speed manual on the Upland Edition. The 4WD version gets Selec-Terrain and hill descent control.

What about pricing and competition?

The prices for the special editions of the SUV start from Rs. 32.95 lakh (ex-showroom) and go all the way up to Rs. 38.47 lakh (ex-showroom). The carmaker has already commenced bookings through its official website and authorised dealerships across the nation.