Are you bored with the current SUVs in the Rs 35-45 lakh price bracket? Don’t fret because soon, that will change. Jeep has just taken the wraps off the Meridian. This three-row people mover boasts an intriguing blend of the Compass and the Grand Cherokee models. But, the best way to describe it is that it’s in close relation to the Jeep Commander – a model that debuted for the Latin American market in August last year.

In Jeep India’s product portfolio, the Meridian will slot above the Compass but below the Wrangler. The newcomer will have over 80 per cent localised content. And that means price-wise, it should be competitive.

Jeep has yet to unveil the exact dimensions of the Meridian. However, it will be substantially larger than the model it is based on – the Compass. Even though the platform is monocoque, the Meridian features fully independent front and rear suspensions with Frequency Selective Damping technology. As per Jeep, that last bit helps improve the ride quality, and so does the Hydraulic Rebound Stopper.

The Meridian will come with a diesel engine – the same 2.0-litre turbocharged unit that does duty in the Compass. We don’t have the exact output numbers, but Jeep confirms the Meridian can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 10.8 seconds. Flat out, it’ll clock 198kmph. The engine in question will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission (FWD) and a 9-speed automatic (FWD and AWD).

As you’d expect, the cabin is reminiscent of the Compass’. There are lashings of soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard, the centre console and the door panels. And the tan-black colour combination does add a level of luxury into the mix. Raising the practicality bar is a 60:40 split second row of seats and eight different ways to fold away seats to trade for extra luggage room.

Features? The list is quite extensive, with stuff like a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Meridian will also pack a wireless mobile charger, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED-powered headlamps and taillamps, a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, 360-degree camera and a powered tailgate with programmable opening angles.

Safety is top-notch too. There are over 60 active and passive safety and security features available. The list includes six airbags, Rain Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, Automatic Vehicle Hold, Electronic Stability Control and Fading Brake Support.

So, there you have it. The Meridian does look like a strong contender against the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster and the Skoda Kodiaq. Jeep will commence accepting bookings for the upcoming SUV in May this year, while the launch is scheduled for the following month.