Re: Jeep Meridian Review Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR The difference is almost a full 9 lakhs at my local dealership -
Jeep Compass Model S 4*4 AT - 37.94 lakhs
Jeep Meridian Limited(o) 4*4 AT - 46.75 lakhs. |
Exactly. I’m pretty clear they’ve priced the Meridian 3 - 4 lakh more than what it should be. The price difference on road between the two (S diesel AT vs Limited O diesel AT, each 4x4, should have been max 3-4L IMO. Not 1-1.5 like Harrier / Safari I feel but max 3-4L, not the laughable ~8 odd lakh that it is now. Quote:
Originally Posted by achyutaghosh But both are 7 seaters at the end of it. Indicates 2 things-
1. How right sized Harrier was in the first place
2. How poorly packaged the Compass was in the first place |
Bang on. The Harrier is a generous sized 5 seater while the Compass is indeed unduly compact for its price and segment. Frankly, if the Compass had been 10-15% bigger and at the same price as it is now, I’d have been much more inclined to actively consider the Compass. I really only need a Tucson sized “comfortable” 5 seater ideally. That’s where I also feel this LWB Tucson is going to be viewed very favourably by a number of prospective customers in this segment, provided again they don’t go bonkers with pricing. Quote:
Originally Posted by achyutaghosh Does the Meridian offer anything extra over the Compass other than the 3rd row? |
Linking two extracts from my own ownership thread. The first extract is what I perceived when I compared the Compass and Meridian from a purchase standpoint.
The second one is from when I took a friend with his S/AT Compass along with my Meridian and both of us compared notes from driving and sitting around in the two cars. The differences, in some detail, are spelt out in both our reviews as well as the comparo images and the difference is reasonably significant. Personally I feel much more than the Harrier vs Safari. Quote:
Originally Posted by Axe77 7. Compass
The Meridian pricing is a funny thing. When you look at the Kodiaq, Tiguan etc and what they offer, one could argue that the Meridian is no better or no worse priced than any of these options. On the other hand, one can’t help but ponder that at the end of the day, one is paying 8L more than the Compass for:
# a bigger boot;
# a more comfortable second row;
# a better tuned engine that feels distinctly smoother;
# slightly more pleasant interiors with that incredibly tasteful mocha finish; and
…
well, that’s it!
You can play alphabet soup all day long with C segment and D segment tags, but from a functional standpoint, the Meridian presents a larger Compass with a very limited use third row, even though it does create significant design differentiation while doing so. I don’t consider this a long haul 3 row people mover by any ‘stretch’ (pun intended), although it can serve to seat your least favourite child on the odd occasion.
With this price to value equation in mind, I did test drive the Compass one more time to see if I’m ok with living with that interior size rather than blow an ~8L rupee hole for the larger Meridian. Test driving it back to back, both wife and I were clear - the additional space in the Meridian was a must have and much welcome.
8L welcome? No.
But did we want to pay 37L and buy into the Compass with its tight internal footprint. No!
We also felt that the drive of the Meridian was distinctly ‘smoother’ than the Compass, perhaps down to some slightly different tuning that its been given - another key factor. | Quote:
Originally Posted by Axe77 The Meridian vs the Compass | 2021 Compass 4x4 S A/T owner’s take on the Meridian Axe77’s comparison review:
I’ve now driven the Compass and Meridian back to back on two occasions. Once with the test drive cars of Jeep and the other time was my pal’s Compass and my Meridian.
# The first thing off the bat that’s evident is that the Meridian is smoother to drive than the Compass. I’m not sure what aspect of tuning has achieved this, but this is undoubtedly the case.
# While both sport the same engine specs, I have not found the Meridian slower than the Compass in any respect.
# Ride, handling and suspension characteristics are a hint improved over the Compass.
# While one might be arguably a derivative of the other, the Meridian has its own distinctive look and feel. Calling it an elongated compass in totality would be doing the Meridian a disservice (although even I’ve used that phrase in a limited context).
# The interiors definitely feel a touch nicer, thanks to the additional room inside and the choice of colors.
# Some nice internal touches that I’ve covered elsewhere are the niche in the centre storage that can hold a phone and the side cladding in the centre console where one can rest one’s knee.
# The 2nd row is more comfortable than the Compass, with a little extra width, although the Meridian should ideally have been a hint wider than it is to enhance passenger comfort for three abreast in the 2nd row.
# While both cars are handsome in their own right, I find the Compass the better looker with its taut design and better proportions. The chrome overkill on the Meridian only enhances this further in favour of the Compass.
# The Meridian clearly enjoys a higher ground clearance too. Handy for an SUV.
Overall, there is no doubt that the Meridian does improve on the Compass in many important areas. Its just that in terms of segment and price differentiation, that difference is not worth the 8L difference in the asking on road price. At best a 3/3.5L difference between the two would be justifiable in my opinion. This is particularly relevant given that the Compass itself is overpriced to begin with. Comparison via pictures | |