Somewhere along the way, diesel got vilified, exiled from dinner-table conversations (entirely in Delhi). Which is why slipping behind the wheel of the Jeep Meridian 4×4 AT Overland for a 3,000 km (2,982 to be precise) expedition across three states: Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, felt less like a road trip and more like a reclamation of faith.
The plan? A circuit starting in Mumbai, plunging south to Pune, sweeping through Kolhapur, down the Konkan curve into Goa and Karwar, veering west to Jog Falls, tracing the Arabian Sea before darting into coffee country, Mangalore, Coorg, Bylakuppe, Mysore, and looping back to Bangalore before the long haul home to Mumbai. 2982 km of tarmac, twisties, potholes, and rain-slick ghats. A proving ground not just for Jeep’s large SUV in India, but for everything that makes a diesel SUV matter.
Mumbai to Pune – The Familiar Kick-Off
The 94 km of arrow-straight tarmac isn’t exactly Nürburgring, but it’s the perfect test of Meridian’s refinement at speed. The 2.0-litre Multijet turbo-diesel hums away at barely 1,500 rpm in ninth gear, torque fat and eager, as the cabin remains serenely quiet. Only the occasional truck lumbering in the right lane forces the nine-speed ’box to shuffle gears. But once you learn to coax it, everything falls into place.
The panoramic dual-pane sunroof makes the monsoon skies feel like they’re part of the itinerary. Inside, camel-tan upholstery and a crisp 10.1-inch Uconnect touchscreen lend a premium sheen to what is otherwise a plough between two cities. Pune arrives before coffee cravings peak.
Pune to Kolhapur – Stretching Its Legs
South of Pune, the road merges into NH48, a wide, busy route marked by patches of broken tarmac due to relentless traffic. This is where the Meridian’s Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) suspension earns its paycheck. Small potholes? Flattened. Long undulations? Smoothed out like freshly rolled pizza dough. Only the nastiest, misshapen speed humps thud through to the cabin, but never enough to unsettle passengers. Even in the third row, which is not a usual seating position.
Kolhapur, famed for mutton thalis and world-famous chappals, feels like the perfect pitstop. The Jeep’s powered tailgate swallows luggage with the grace of a premium hotel concierge.
Kolhapur to Goa via Chorla Ghat – A Dance with Physics
Leaving Kolhapur, the road to Goa plunges into ghats, where gravity and diesel torque conspire in equal measure. The Meridian’s 4×4 system, with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, doesn’t get a proper workout here, but the extra assurance of 4WD Lock is comforting when rain lashes and roads slick up.
At nearly 1.8 tonnes, the Jeep’s body roll is well-restrained, and the steering is precise enough to inspire confidence. It’s no hot hatch, but you can carry a respectable pace through bends. The fully independent suspension setup performs well, keeping the large SUV poised. By the time Goa’s beachside shacks come into view, it’s clear this isn’t just a family-haulier. The Meridian can hustle when the tarmac tempts.
Goa to Karwar – Sea Breeze Meets Seven-Slot Grille
Goa’s narrow bylanes, lined with Portuguese-era houses, test the Meridian’s proportions. At 4,769 mm long, the Jeep feels big without being unwieldy. Surround-view cameras and blind-spot detection prove their worth in this scenario. Crossing into Karwar, the coastline stretches endlessly, the SUV glinting in chrome as if Jeep designed it specifically for seaside photographs. Diesel clatter? Almost non-existent in the cabin, where the Alpine sound system blasts “Surfin' U.S.A”, fittingly.
Karwar to Jog Falls – Into the Wild
The climb towards Jog Falls, one of India’s tallest waterfalls, puts torque to the test. Steep inclines, hairpins, and wet gravel roads demand grunt. With 350 Nm available, the Meridian never gasps, though the gearbox’s occasional hesitation reminds you it’s tuned for smoothness, not aggression. The payoff? Reaching Jog Falls at dawn, mist curling through the valley. Diesel and waterfall thunder in chorus.
Jog Falls to Mangalore – Grace in the Chaos
The road southward unravels into a medley of narrow village lanes, half-laid highways, and sudden traffic snarls. Yet, this is where the Jeep’s ride quality shines. At the same time, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist turn monotonous stretches into less of a chore. Mangalore, with its seafood and Arabian Sea breeze, becomes another milestone. At 1,500 km into the journey, fatigue is surprisingly absent. The Meridian’s large seats, adjustable lumbar, and ventilated cushions deserve applause.
Mangalore to Coorg – Coffee and Control
Coorg is coffee country, but to get there, you need to ascend winding roads snaking through dense forests. It’s a test of patience, braking, and agility. The electronic safety suite, AEB, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise-control remind you that this isn’t just a rugged diesel brute. It’s a modern SUV, in step with America’s safety playbook. Bylakuppe, home to Tibetan monasteries, arrives as a calm interlude.
Mysore to Bangalore – The Final Push
The drive to Mysore and onward to Bangalore is familiar highway territory, wide, fast, but teeming with impatient drivers. Here, the Meridian plays smoothly, planted, and with enough presence to command the space, gliding past. The 10.2-inch driver display becomes a companion, providing fuel economy information. The SUV achieves a respectable 12–14 kmpl on the highway, which is impressive for its weight.
Back to Mumbai – The Loop Closes
From Bangalore, it’s the long march back north. The odometer ticks over 2,950 km as the familiar skyline of Mumbai rises once again. The diesel tank is drained, hearts full, and backs surprisingly unbroken. What lingers instead is the memory of torque-rich climbs, suspension that shrugged off India’s worst tarmac, and an SUV that felt just as at home in Coorg’s coffee plantations as it did on Goa’s beaches.
The Jeep Meridian may not shout the loudest, but it whispers confidence across every kilometre. And in a world that frowns upon diesel, that whisper feels like a roar.
