The Meridian is the one SUV in its section, which incorporates the Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster, that doesn’t get this characteristic.
The Jeep Meridian, the three-row Compass-based SUV, has been out there for over two years and gross sales have been underwhelming. Within the final six months, Meridian wholesales have averaged about 115 models, which is considerably decrease than the Toyota Fortuner (3,013 models), and even under the Skoda Kodiaq (140 models) and MG’s Gloster (139 models). Regardless of its subtle really feel and feature-rich attraction, one notable absence is a sliding second-row bench seat, a characteristic its rivals provide.
Autocar India has learnt that that the explanation behind that is that the made-in-India Meridian was meant to be exported to the UK. For the UK, Jeep had plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant and the area behind the center row was supposed to accommodate the battery pack.
Consequently, there was no area left to combine a sliding mechanism for the reclining second row, which does include 60:40 split-folding and fold-and-tumble capabilities. With the cancellation of export plans, Jeep missed the possibility so as to add this operate, ensuing within the launch with out this characteristic.
Jeep is at the moment engaged on the Meridian facelift, with a launch slated for this yr. Whereas the up to date mannequin will possible include ADAS tech, it stays unsure whether or not Jeep will incorporate the sliding operate.
Additionally see:
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Jeep Meridian vs Toyota Fortuner Legender comparison video
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