Jeep has finally revealed the Commander three-row SUV. The Commander was internally known as Jeep Low-D and will be sold in India as the Jeep Meridian. The model will first go on sale in Brazil followed by India, sometime in mid-2022.
- Styling inspired by larger SUVs from Jeep’s portfolio
- Gets more features than the Compass
- Will come to India with a 2.0-liter diesel engine
Jeep Commander (Meridian): what’s new?
The Commander has been spied on test many times in the last year in India and Brazil. Official images today confirm that the three-row Jeep Commander gets quite a few unique bits to differentiate itself from the two-row Compass SUV on which it is based on. The Commander will be produced at the Jeep plant in Goiana, Brazil, that also builds the Compass, Renegade and the Fiat Toro – all three and the Commander share the same platform. Right hand drive versions will be built at the Ranjangaon plant in India that also builds the Compass, and will be exported globally.
Jeep Commander (Meridian): what’s different from Compass?
At first glance, the Commander does look like a longer Compass, but a closer look shows the difference in design details. The Commander actually shares quite a bit of its styling elements from the larger Grand Cherokee L. Some design details that link back to the Compass include the front grille with the top section folded backwards, and the familiar chrome detailing along the upper edges of the windows. The rectangular full-LED headlamp and slim tail-lamps are designs seen on Jeep’s new-generation Grand Cherokee, with the window-line also similar to newer Jeep models. Upfront, the bumper design too is unique to the Commander, with large faux vents featuring LED DRLs and fog lamps, a chrome strip running across the fascia.
As far as dimensions go, the Commander is 4,769mm long, 1,859mm wide and 1,682mm high, which makes it 364mm longer, 41mm wider and 42mm higher than the Compass. The Commander has a wheelbase of 2,794mm, which is again 158mm longer than that of the Compass.
| Jeep Commander vs Compass (Dimensions) | ||
| Jeep Commander | Jeep Compass | |
| Length | 4,769mm | 4,405mm |
| Width | 1,859mm | 1,818mm |
| Height | 1,682mm | 1,640mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,794mm | 2,636mm |
The added length is evident when viewed from the sides. The rear doors are larger and so are the rear quarter windows and apart from the long wheelbase, the rear overhang seems longer too. The Commander’s tailgate is more upright and gets a premium look when viewed from the rear three quarters, again, quite similar to the other Jeep models, especially the new flagship Wagoneer SUV. The slim LED tail lights joined by a chrome strip round off the looks.
Jeep Commander (Meridian): Interior similar to Compass
On the inside, the dashboard design is mostly identical to that of the Compass, but look closer and you will notice new metal inserts and a suede fabric trim on the dashboard and door panels. The front seats too look straight out of the Compass, though they are wrapped in brown leather upholstery with embroidered suede details. An interesting design touch are the words ‘Jeep 1941’ embossed into the front centre armrest. The rose gold accents on the center console also look particularly nice.
Just like the updated Compass in India, the Commander also gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, while the central infotainmewnt screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is 10.1-inch in size. Other features include electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats, wireless cell phone charger, connected car features, Alexa virtual assistant, panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon sound system, trunk with electric opening. Safety features include 7 airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking system, lane keep assist and more.
The most important highlight of the Commander is obviously its third row of seats. The second-row seats splits in a 60:40 ratio to allow access to the third-row. Third-row passengers will also have amenities such as blower speed adjustment and charging ports.
Jeep Commander (Meridian): mild-hybrid diesel confirmed
In Brazil, Jeep has continued with the existing 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine for the Commander. This engine produces 170hp and 380Nm of peak torque (30Nm more than what’s produced on the Compass) and comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. It also gets a 4×4 system as standard.
While the Brazilian-spec Jeep Commander diesel does not get the speculated mild-hybrid system, the right-hand drive versions of the Commander (Meridian) that will be produced in India is still expected to get a mild-hybrid system and more power for the diesel engine.
The Commander also gets a 185hp, 270Nm 1.3-liter turbo petrol engine with flex-fuel tech. This engine comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and drives only the front wheels. This engine is also available in the Compass sold overseas and a few other Stellantis models.
Jeep Commander (Meridian): India launch details
The Commander will be sold as Jeep Meridian in India and will launch by mid-2022. Key rivals for the Meridian would include the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Skoda Kodiaq in the Indian market.
Also See:
Upcoming three-row SUVs, MPVs in India: 2021 and beyond
Jeep confirms electric axle for 4X4 compact SUV