Jeep is planning to launch a mid-size SUV which would be positioned below the Compass for the Indian market. It will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Jeep is a legendary American carmaker which makes some of the most rugged and capable off-roading SUVs in the world. In fact, it has been doing that for decades now. In India, it offers the Compass, Meridian and Wrangler. Going forward, we might witness the most affordable offering from Jeep. Let us discuss what to expect from it.
Jeep’s Mid-Size SUV
In Europe, the Jeep Avenger received a whopping 1 lakh orders. Note that the Avenger is an SUV which is smaller than the Compass sold in India. Hence, the Creta-rivalling Jeep SUV for India could be based on the Avenger. However, it is just over 4 m in length. But to feature in the mid-size SUV segment in India, we expect that the new Jeep SUV has to be around 4.3 m long. In any case, there have been plenty of news reports online regarding what we could expect from the upcoming mid-size SUV from Jeep.
As per a report by Autocar India, Jeep is aiming to bring a new mid-size SUV to India by 2026. What’s more interesting is the fact that it would be based on Citroen’s C-Cube platform. However, this platform doesn’t support a 4×4 drivetrain. To compensate for that, the new Jeep SUV will be available in electric and ICE iterations. In the electric variant, the dual-motor setup will allow for a 4×4 configuration. Hence, the tradition of every Jeep being offered with the option of a 4×4 version will continue. Judging by the size, the report says that it could carry a 1.6-litre mill and bear a price tag of around Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. More details will emerge in the coming months.
Our View
Jeep has been struggling with sales despite having three SUVs on offer – Compass, Meridian and Wrangler. The competition in each of these segments has increased in the last couple of years. Honestly, the Wrangler category is already a niche space. But the Compass was supposed to be the mass-market product for the American auto giant. But there have been no significant updates to the Compass since its launch back in 2017 apart from one minor facelift in 2021. The plans for the next-gen Compass have been cancelled. That warrants a new Jeep product to ensure the longevity of the brand.
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