Comparison: Tata Safari vs Jeep Meridian

Plenty of Tata SUVs came and went over the years. The Tata Safari is one of the Indian manufacturer’s best and oldest-running cars, which recently returned to the market. However, there are plenty of fish in this sea, especially since the popularity of SUVs has grown stronger by the minute in the last few years. The Tata Safari regularly comes to blows with popular SUVs like the Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector, Mahindra Scorpio N, and even the mighty Toyota Fortuner. However, there is one more SUV amid these behemoths, and that is the Jeep Meridian.

Launched in May 2022, the Jeep Meridian joined the Compass to become a desirable SUV in the sub-Rs. 50 Lakh price segment. The Meridian is a promising contender from Jeep, and now it has set its eyes on the Indian market to offer some of its iconic driving experience and off-road capabilities for a Fortuner and Kodiaq-rivalling price. But how does it compare to Tata’s biggest and costliest model available in the market today? Here is a detailed comparison between the two SUVs across various important fields to help make an educated and reassuring choice between the two.

Tata Safari vs Jeep Meridian: Dimensions

The size of an SUV is one of its defining aspects. Part of the reason why one wants an SUV over a hatchback or sedan is the enormity of the car. In this case, there is no clear winner between the Safari and the Meridian, as each of them has the upper hand in one or the other metric. The Tata Safari boasts better figures in the width and height categories. On the contrary, the Jeep Meridian gets a better score in length, wheelbase, boot space, and ground clearance boxes. 

The longer Jeep Meridian offers extra legroom (even for the poor saps exiled to the third row) and more boot space with the third row of seats folded down compared to the Safari. The longer wheelbase helps the Meridian deliver a more engaging driving experience, especially while turning at high speeds. The Meridian also has more ground clearance over the Tata Safari. A higher ground clearance gives the Meridian an edge in the off-roading department. Moreover, with the right suspension setup, the Meridian’s high ground clearance can help it glide across some potholes and rough roads easily.

The Tata Safari, on the other hand, presents the passengers with a wider and higher cabin. One of the primary functions of an SUV is to fit five or more people comfortably, not just for a city event but for longer trips as well. The extra shoulder room makes a huge difference when there are three people in the second row as well as the third row. The extra headroom is a boon for the taller folks out there. 

Objectively, both SUVs are adequately large and offer something for everyone. Hence, choosing between the two depends on the buyers’ stature and personal preferences. Check out the Safari for extra shoulder and headroom. Go for the Meridian if you want more bootspace, ground clearance, or legroom.

Tata Safari vs Jeep Meridian: Engine & Transmission

With the engine and transmission in our crosshairs, one thing is clear: it is a close call when one wishes to choose a winner between the two. In a similar fashion to the Tata Harrier and the Jeep Compass, the Tata Safari and the Jeep Meridian all have the same engine. It’s the 2.0-litre Kryotec Turbocharged Diesel from Fiat. The engine makes 350 NM for both cars, but it produced 4 PS more power in the Meridian than the Safari’s 170 PS figure. Tata has tuned the motor for the Safari in a way that it delivers a slender grunt at low RPMs but increases the power constantly as the revs climb up. The Meridian, on the other hand, gets a consistent power delivery from its engine across the rev range. The Meridian, being a Jeep, also features extensive off-roading capabilities. The Meridian is no Wrangler, but it does come with a 4×2 and 4×4 option in all variants. It also makes use of Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system and the 9-speed auto to perform impressive off-roading feats that an FWD SUV cannot fathom.

In the transmission area, once again, both offer a 6-speed manual and an automatic torque converter sourced from ZF. The manual gearbox in the Safari feels precise and offers satisfying control for spirited driving. The Jeep Meridian’s stick shift is not bad either, but the Tata has the manual figured out well. The Meridian’s 9-speed automatic, on the other hand, is a praiseworthy transmission, at the very least. The torque converter, paired with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system and multiple driving modes, offers quicker shifts and overall better responsiveness to any type of terrain touching the wheels. Mileage is another crucial aspect that everyone checks out first. Here, while the difference is not a major one, the Meridian’s 9-speed offers slightly better efficiency at 16 km/l compared to the Safari’s figures around the 15 km/l ballpark. 

Overall, the Meridian’s TC comes out as a better alternative of the two if you want more comfort and resiliency across multiple types of terrains. The Safari’s manual transmission comes out as the one to choose for a better, raw driving experience for enthusiasts.

Tata Safari vs Jeep Meridian: Features and Comfort

Comfort and convenience features have become a must-have for new cars these days. This is even more accurate for cars over the Rs. 10 Lakh price range. The Safari is Tata’s most expensive car available to purchase today. As a result, it justifiably comes with the most tech and comfort features in Tata’s lineup. The Jeep Meridian is, after all, a Jeep. A vehicle wearing the Jeep’s badge is automatically part of a premium brand and an extensive list of tech and comfort features. Unsurprisingly, both SUVs come with the usual features, such as a large sunroof, electrically adjustable seats, rear AC vents, cruise control, driving modes, and a digital instrument cluster.

The Tata Safari has an airy interior, courtesy of large windows and a panoramic sunroof, providing a sense of openness ideal for families. The one-touch folding third-row seats and multiple storage compartments offer unrivalled practicality. While Tata’s new touchscreen infotainment system may not be the most intuitive, it looks great and gets the job done. While both SUVs feature ventilated seats, the Safari takes it a step further by providing ventilation to the second-row seats as well. The Meridian gets a 9-speaker setup, while the top-spec Tata Safari gets a 10-speaker music system from JBL.

The Jeep Meridian, on the other hand, feels more luxurious and refined once you step inside. There are soft-touch materials all over the cabin, and the dual-zone climate control offers individual fan speed control for optimal and personalized comfort to the front row. The Meridian also offers 10-way electrically adjustable seats to the driver and passenger compared to Safari’s 8-way and 4-way movements, respectively. Also, the Safari’s driver-only power window with one-touch up and down feels tame in comparison with all of Meridian’s power windows offering the function.

To sum it up, the Jeep Meridian offers an added level of luxury, refinement, and comfort inside the cabin. The Tata Safari, on the other hand, prefers practicality and value while also making sure the features list is quite generous. 

Tata Safari vs Jeep Meridian: Safety Features

When it comes to safety, Tata is one of the best bets you can make in this country. For years, Tata has made some of the safest and strongest cars in India, and the Safari is no exception. At the same time, Jeep has also made a name for itself as one of the best automakers in the SUV segment, and their SUVs are capable and robust machines to tackle the wilderness of every corner of the planet. 

The Tata Safari proudly boasts a 5-star Global NCAP safety score, meaning it is about as safe as it gets in the unfortunate event of an accident. Both SUVs come equipped with the expected safety tech such as ABS, Traction Control, Hill Hold Assist, Hiss Descent Control, and a 360-degree camera. The Tata Safari also offers ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, auto emergency braking, and forward & rear collision warning. 

The costlier Jeep Meridian does not have ADAS. However, it does have some tricks up its sleeve, or rather, under its hood. Jeep holds global recognition for making strong cars that last longer than many others. The Jeep Meridian has not undergone a Global NCAP crash test but scored a wonderful 5-star safety rating in the Euro NCAP test. Other than ADAS, you will find most other driver-assist features including ABS, EBD, traction control, stability control, auto headlamps, and even hill descent control in the Meridian. 

Both the SUVs here have made an effort to be as safe as possible, with one better than the other by a slight margin. The Tata Safari comes out as a relatively safer choice between the two, thanks to its proven build quality. Nevertheless, you can rest assured that whatever option you choose will come with enough safety features to ensure maximum safety.

Tata Safari vs Jeep Meridian: Prices & Variants

Perhaps this is where both SUVs are significantly different. They are both somewhat evenly matched when it comes to features, but that is not the case in the price tag. The Meridian may come out as a winner between the two in terms of performance, luxury, off-roading capabilities, and comfort, but all that comes at a hefty price tag. And the price might be too much for some.

Much like the Nexon and Harrier, the Tata Safari’s variants do not share the same nomenclature as the Tiago and Tigor. The Safari’s base model is called ‘Smart’, and it comes with a price tag of Rs. 16.19 to Rs. 16.69 lakh. You get essential features like 6 airbags and 2nd row AC vents in the base model itself. The mid-tier variant ‘Pure’ ranges from Rs. 17.69 to Rs. 22.09 lakh and adds a 10.24” infotainment unit and cruise control along with other tech. Then comes the upper-mid variant called ‘Adventure’ with a Rs. 20.99 to Rs. 24.89 lakh price. You can have a panoramic sunroof, 360° camera, and even ADAS in this tier. Finally, we have the top-level ‘Accomplished’ that costs Rs. 23.99 to Rs. 27.34 lakh. This one gives you many premium features including ventilated seats for 1st and second rows.

Jeep presents the Meridian as an all-in-one luxury SUV, and the price can be a testament to that. The base model of Jeep called ‘Limited (O)’ starts from Rs. 33.40 lakh and goes as high as Rs. 38.01 lakh. The base trim comes with wireless, charger, rear camera, and even cruise control. The middle variant is christened ‘Limited +’, and it ranges from Rs. 35.93 to Rs. 38.61 lakh. There’s a standalone upper-mid variant called Upland that costs Rs. 36.55 lakh ex-showroom. And the top-level ‘Overland’ variant costs Rs. 36.77 to Rs. 39.46 lakh. Here, you get everything from ventilated seats to electrically adjustable driver seat with memory function.

Although the Jeep Meridian is built in its Indian facility near Pune, it cannot match the price of the Safari by a long shot. The difference between the two price tags is too big to ignore, and Safari easily wins in this category.

Tata Safari vs Jeep Meridian: Summary

So there you go. The two SUVs seem to be quite similar at first glance, but they tend to lean towards a particular niche and cater to different needs once you get to know more about them. 

With such a steep price difference between the two, it is impossible to ignore the Safari’s value for money. The Safari offers practicality, safety, ADAS, and an engaging driving experience for a bargain price compared to other SUVs like the Jeep Meridian.

On the contrary, the Jeep Meridian comes in as a luxury SUV that is capable of providing a comfortable driving experience on the road and a vast reach off-road. The Meridian also comes with universal brand recognition and unreliable road presence.

Both SUVs are tempting enough, depending on the buyer, and neither one disappoints in terms of the objective responsibilities of a potent luxury SUV.