Jeep Meridian: The Design Decision Behind the Absence of a Sliding Second Row

The Jeep Meridian, a three-row SUV based on the Compass platform, has faced challenges in the Indian market, particularly in comparison to its competitors. Despite its allure with sophisticated features, the absence of a sliding second-row bench seat has been a notable drawback.

Since its launch over two years ago, Meridian has struggled to match the sales figures of rivals like the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, and MG Gloster. Recent sales data reveals average monthly wholesales of around 115 units, significantly lower than its counterparts. This shortfall can partly be attributed to the absence of a feature increasingly popular in this segment: a sliding second-row seat.

The decision not to include a sliding mechanism in the Meridian's second row stemmed from its original design intent for export to the UK. Initially planned to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant for the UK market, Jeep earmarked the space behind the second row for the battery pack. This strategic design choice left insufficient room for integrating a sliding function, despite offering 60:40 split-folding and fold-and-tumble features.

However, with the cancellation of the export plans, the opportunity to retrofit the sliding feature was missed. Consequently, Meridian launched in India without this sought-after functionality, affecting its competitive edge in the domestic SUV market.

Looking ahead, Jeep is gearing up for the launch of the Meridian facelift later this year. While advancements such as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technology are anticipated, speculation remains about whether Jeep will incorporate the sliding second-row seat in the updated model. This decision could be pivotal in enhancing Meridian's appeal and competitiveness against its established rivals.

The absence of a sliding second-row seat in the current Jeep Meridian underscores the intricate balance between design choices and market expectations. As Jeep cars prepares to unveil the facelifted model, industry observers and potential buyers alike await eagerly to see how these updates will shape the future of this promising SUV in India's competitive automotive landscape.