Full-sized SUVs have always been a nuanced segment in the sense that the bigger they get, the more compelling the purchase. There’s something about their magnanimous size that draws us Indians, maybe it’s the power it offers, maybe it’s because it can effortlessly lug your entire family around, or maybe it’s the feeling of being the king that these cars give you when you sit inside and drive them due to how cars literally move to make way for you.
Jeep with its stellar SUV genetics have finally entered this segment with the Meridian, but in a heavily biased segment, the brand of “Jeep” isn’t enough to rack up sales number. So, how does the Jeep Meridian stack against its behemoth-sized competition, and is it good enough to dethrone the segment king Toyota Fortuner? Let’s find out: –
Engine and Transmission Specifications
Jeep Meridian
MG Gloster
Toyota Fortuner
Mahindra Alturas G4
Skoda Kodiaq
Engine Type
2.0L Turbocharged Diesel
2.0L Turbocharged / Twin Turbocharged Diesel
2.7L Petrol Engine / 2.8 L Diesel
2.2L Turbocharged Diesel
2.0L Turbo-Petrol
Transmission Type
6-Speed Manual / 9-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
5-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Automatic
7-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DSG
Max Power
170 bhp
160 bhp / 215 bhp
163 bhp / 201 bhp
178 bhp
187 bhp
Max Torque
350 Nm
375 Nm / 480 Nm
245 Nm / 500 Nm
420 Nm
320 Nm
Engine Capacity
1984 cc
1996 cc
2694 cc / 2755 cc
2157 cc
1984 cc
Number of cylinders
4 cylinder
4 cylinder
4 cylinder
4 cylinder
4 cylinder
Drive Type
4×2, 4×4
4×2 / 4×4
4×2 / 4×4
4×2 / 4×4
AWD
Chassis Type
Monocoque
Body-on-Frame
Body-on-Frame
Body-on-Frame
Monocoque
The Skoda Kodiaq is the only car in the segment to come with a petrol-only offering.
Apart from the Kodiaq, the Toyota Fortuner also has a petrol engine on offer.
The Fortuner sports the biggest engine in the segment, with its 2.8L diesel engine boasting a class-leading 500 Nm of torque.
The MG Gloster only inches in terms of grunt, with the only offering in the segment with a twin-turbo setup which also boats the highest power rating of 215 bhp.
Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster, and Mahindra Alturas G4 are built on body-on-frame chassis, while the Skoda Kodiaq and jeep Meridian are built on a monocoque chassis. It essentially means that the Meridian and Kodiaq offer a more stable ride with minimal body roll. On the other hand, the Fortuner, Gloster, and Alturas excel in handling those pots and bumps and offer much more superior off-road capability.
Dimensions
Jeep Meridian
MG Gloster
Toyota Fortuner
Mahindra Alturas G4
Skoda Kodiaq
Length (mm)
4769
4985
4795
4850
4699
Width (mm)
1859
1926
1855
1960
1882
Height (mm)
1682
1867
1835
1845
1665
Wheelbase (mm)
2794
2950
2745
2865
2791
Ground clearance (mm)
203
210
225
244
192
MG Gloster absolutely dominated the segment, offering the highest length, width, and wheelbase.
The Alturas, however, is the tallest in the segment and also sports the highest ground clearance.
Toyota Fortuner and Jeep Meridian are neck and neck in terms of size with the Fortuner just inching out ahead.
Skoda Kodiaq is the smallest offering in the segment.
All cars offer ABS, EBD, ESC, Traction control, TPMS, and 6 airbags, while The Alturas and Kodiaq offer 9-airbags.
MG Gloster is the only offering in the segment to get advanced driver-assist safety features like adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist system.
Except for the Toyota Fortuner, all the cars in the segment offer a 360-degree parking camera.
Comfort and Convenience
Jeep Meridian
MG Gloster
Toyota Fortuner
Mahindra Alturas G4
Skoda Kodiaq
Connected Car Tech
Yes
Yes
Yes (only in Legender)
No
Yes
Infotainment Display Size
10.1-inch
12.28 inch
8-inch
8-inch
8-inch
Lane Watch Camera
No
Yes
No
No
No
Powered Tailgate
Yes
Yes
Yes (only in Legender)
Yes
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Yes
Yes (only in Legender)
No
Yes
Massage Seats
No
Yes
No
No
No
Drive Modes
Yes (4)
Yes (3)
Yes (3)
No
Yes (4)
Android Auto/ Apple Carplay
Yes (Wireless)
Yes (Wireless)
Yes (Wireless)
Yes (Wired)
Yes (Wireless)
Automatic AC
Yes (Dual Zone)
Yes (Dual Zone)
Yes
Yes (Dual Zone)
Yes (Triple Zone)
Voice Assistant
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Sunroof
Yes (Panoramic)
Yes (Panoramic)
No
Yes
Yes (Panoramic)
ADAS
No
Yes
No
No
No
The MG Gloster is the most feature-packed offering in the segment, with massage seats, best in segment 12.28-inch infotainment screen, lane-watch camera, and ADAS features.
For the luxury features in the Fortuner such as connected tech, ventilated seats, and a powered tailgate, you will only be able to get them in the top model which is the Legender which can go up to a whopping Rs 50 lakh on-road in certain states.
The Jeep Meridian and the Skoda Kodiaq are almost similar in terms of features, but where Jeep offers a larger infotainment system, Skoda offers triple-zone climate control.
Mahindra Alturas G4 although extremely well equipped, doesn’t offer any sort of connected car technology which honestly is quite disappointing for a car of this segment, considering the fact that even hatchbacks nowadays possess connected capabilities.
Considering the Fortuner is the most expensive offering on this list, for Toyota to not even include a sunroof and only offer feel-good features in the top-of-the-line Legender is just pure sad to see.
Price
Jeep Meridian
MG Gloster
Toyota Fortuner
Mahindra Alturas G4
Skoda Kodiaq
Price (Ex-showroom)
Rs 29.90 – 36.95 lakh
Rs 31.50 – 39.50 lakh
Rs 31.79 – Rs 48.43 lakh
Rs 28.88 – 31.88 lakh
Rs 35.99 – 38.49 lakh
Author’s Take
While the Jeep Meridian is a stellar offering, we truly wish we could say that it is a segment disruptor. Apart from its trusted Jeep brand, the Meridian struggles to keep up with the likes of the MG Gloster and fails to deliver a unique taste to attract towards it the fad of the Fortuner.
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