The Jeep Meridian, a three-row SUV based on the Compass, has been available in the market for over two years. However, its sales figures have been disappointing. Over the past six months, Meridian wholesales have averaged only about 115 units per month. In contrast, its competitors, such as the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, and MG Gloster, have performed significantly better, with the Fortuner leading at 3,013 units, and the Kodiaq and Gloster at 140 and 139 units respectively.

Despite its premium feel and abundance of features, the Meridian lacks one critical feature that its rivals offer: a sliding second-row bench seat. This absence stands out, particularly because it is the only SUV in its segment without this feature. The Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Fortuner, and MG Gloster all include sliding second-row seats, which enhance flexibility and passenger comfort by allowing more control over legroom and cargo space.

The reason for this omission traces back to Jeep’s initial plans for the Meridian. The made-in-India Meridian was intended for export to the UK, where Jeep had planned to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant. In this version, the space behind the middle row was designated for the battery pack, which left no room to integrate a sliding mechanism for the second-row seats. Instead, the Meridian offers a 60:40 split-folding and fold-and-tumble function for the second row but without the sliding feature. When export plans to the UK were cancelled, Jeep missed the opportunity to add the sliding seat function to the Meridian.

Looking ahead, Jeep is preparing to launch a facelifted version of the Meridian later this year. The updated model is expected to include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology, which will likely enhance its safety and convenience features. However, it remains uncertain whether the new version will incorporate the sliding second-row seat function that many potential buyers might desire.

In conclusion, the lack of a sliding second-row seat in the Jeep Meridian stems from its initial design considerations for the UK market, where space for a hybrid battery pack was prioritized. This decision has impacted its appeal in the Indian market, where competitors offer more versatile seating arrangements. With the upcoming facelift, it will be interesting to see if Jeep addresses this omission to better compete with its rivals in the segment.