Jeep Meridian struting its stuff at FRI, Dehradun.

Delhi to Dehradun ft. Jeep Meridian: A drive to remember

Some birthdays call for celebrations. Mine called for an open highway, my best friend beside me and a Jeep Meridian that reminded me why some journeys matter more than the destination.

by · India Today

In Short

  • The new expressway made the Delhi to Dehradun journey smoother and quicker
  • Jeep Meridian impressed with refined diesel performance, stability and highway comfort
  • Its suspension and supportive rear seats helped keep fatigue in check

Birthdays have a funny way of changing as the years go by. The excitement of cutting a cake gradually gives way to quieter celebrations, and this year, I wanted mine to be remembered for something more meaningful than dinner reservations or another evening spent in the city.

There's a generous 481-litre boot, which was more than enough for our short trip.

The plan was beautifully simple: pack the Jeep Meridian, pick up my 62-year-old mother and drive to Dehradun. It had been a while since we’d taken a proper road trip together. With the new Delhi-Dehradun Expressway’s promise to make the journey quicker and more enjoyable, there seemed to be no better excuse to spend an entire day doing what I love most - driving.

A must before every road trip! Filling up the right pressures for all tyres, including the spare.

In my mind, the Meridian felt like the perfect vehicle for this sort of journey. Birthday goodies, two suitcases and the usual collection of road-trip essentials disappeared effortlessly into the boot, leaving the cabin as blissfully uncluttered as the morning ahead. Despite being nearly five metres long, it never felt cumbersome while negotiating Delhi's early morning traffic.

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway has helped cut travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours.

The commanding driving position, generous visibility and light steering immediately inspired confidence, reminding me why this SUV has always been more about effortless usability than intimidating road presence, which, to be honest, it doesn’t lack. But, like always, before heading out of the city, we filled up the tyres with the right pressure, which is essential for anyone taking a road trip.

There was no gift waiting in Dehradun. The best present was the long drive with my best friend.

Before long, the city faded into the mirrors, and the highway stretched invitingly towards Uttarakhand. The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway has transformed one of North India’s most popular drives. What was once a tiring combination of traffic, diversions, and endless bottlenecks has become a smooth ribbon of tarmac that finally allows both driver and machine to settle into a rhythm. The section that has been long in building is now completely operational, although fuel stations and food stops are still being built.

Jeep’s familiar 2.0-litre diesel remains one of the finest companions for effortless highway touring.

Powering the Meridian is the familiar 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, Multijet diesel motor, which is used on other vehicles in India, as well. It puts out 170bhp, but more importantly, 350Nm of torque, which just keeps you chugging along marvellously. It’s not about outright performance; instead, it delivers the kind of relaxed, effortless pace that makes covering hundreds of kilometres feel almost second nature. Also, the Meridian highway manners are impeccable, with minimal wind and tyre noise.

Excellent visibility, supportive seats and a relaxed driving position made hours disappear behind the wheel.

The nine-speed automatic transmission deserves equal credit on open roads. Around town, it can occasionally hesitate when asked for an immediate response, but on the expressway, it fades quietly into the background, keeping the engine spinning lazily while making overtakes feel reassuringly uncomplicated.

Physical buttons are always a win in today's day and age. Kudos, Jeep.

The 120kmph cruising speed arrives with very little drama, and the Meridian remains planted regardless of crosswinds or changing road surfaces. It isn’t a car that encourages haste. Instead, it rewards smoothness, making long-distance touring feel remarkably unhurried even when the kilometres disappear faster than expected.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is easy to use, and works fairly well.

Long drives have a habit of exposing weaknesses that short media drives often hide, and that’s where the Meridian truly impressed. Its suspension strikes an excellent balance between absorbency and body control, ironing out expansion joints and rough patches without feeling floaty or unsettled.

Thoughtful details like memory seats become genuinely useful when sharing driving duties.

Comfort wasn’t limited to the driver’s seat either, and that mattered far more on this journey. My mother spent the better part of the day enjoying the changing landscapes rather than shifting around in search of a more comfortable position. The rear seats, too, looked extremely supportive and had a sliding function for finding more legroom. Speaking of which, the boot space without the third row is simply massive.

There's a 10.2-inch digital driver's display which works fine, but I would've preferred analogue ones.

Thoughtful ergonomics, physical controls for essential functions and a cabin that prioritises usability over unnecessary theatrics only reinforced the Meridian’s credentials as a genuine touring SUV. Even the materials to the touch felt premium, and although the overall theme is dark, it didn’t seem to lack a sense of space.

I love the fact that the volume control for the music sits behind the steering wheel! Strangely intuitive.

Every memorable drive deserves a destination that rewards the journey, and few places do that better than Dehradun’s Forest Research Institute. Its magnificent colonial architecture, sprawling lawns and tree-lined avenues possess a timeless charm that encourages you to slow down and simply appreciate your surroundings.

One gripe I had was the size of the footrest, which felt quite small.

We spent far longer there than originally planned, walking through the grounds, taking photographs and soaking in an atmosphere that somehow feels both grand and wonderfully peaceful. In many ways, it perfectly complemented the drive itself – unhurried, relaxed and quietly memorable.

The nine-speaker Alpine system is awesome! It has great depth, and fidelity is on point.

As the afternoon gave way to the journey home, I realised the Meridian had done exactly what every great long-distance SUV should. It didn’t need constant attention, yet it consistently delivered where it mattered most: ride quality, refinement, performance and comfort. The new expressway shortened the distance between Delhi and Dehradun, but the drive itself never felt rushed.

There has to be a mandatory picture at the border crossing, right?

The Meridian continues to stand out as one of the finest long-distance SUVs on sale today. Its diesel motor delivers effortless performance, while the nine-speed automatic feels perfectly suited to relaxed highway cruising. Ride quality remains one of its greatest strengths, absorbing broken surfaces with composure while maintaining excellent stability at speed.

A fitting departure. The Meridian framed perfectly at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.

Add to that a spacious, thoughtfully designed cabin, supportive seats and impressive refinement, and the Meridian proves itself to be a superb companion for family road trips. Driving it from Delhi to Dehradun on my birthday wasn’t simply another test; it became a reminder of why some cars are remembered long after the specifications are forgotten. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the starting price for the Meridian 4x2 (Longitude) is just Rs 23.33 lakh (ex-showroom), which is great value. On our drive, we had the top-of-the-line Overland edition, which is packed to the gills with most features one would need for a car that costs north of Rs 35 lakh. It felt pricier than that, which is a definite plus.

The Meridian will forever be a part of my memory. Thanks again, Jeep!

Somewhere between the smooth tarmac, the towering trees of the Forest Research Institute and a day spent with my mother, another birthday quietly became one I’ll remember for years to come. In the end, it wasn’t about the drive; it was about spending time with my best friend, and that was the most wonderful gift one could ask for on any given day.

Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine

- Ends