EXCLUSIVE: Bigger Jeep 7-Seater SUV To Rival Fortuner, Endeavour Coming In 2021

• Jeep’s 7-seater SUV will rival the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Mahindra Alturas G4.
• We expect it to borrow plenty of bits from the China-spec Grand Commander.
• Prices for the Jeep Commander are expected to be in the range of Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom).

It’s confirmed! Jeep enthusiasts can rejoice as the American SUV-maker will soon expand its portfolio with a new 7-seater SUV. Our sources have confirmed that the upcoming SUV will be based on the China-spec Grand Commander’s platform and will be launched on our shores by 2021. The specifications, design and features of the upcoming SUV is yet to be known. Since the Grand Commander is already on sale in China, it’s safe to assume that the India-spec SUV could borrow plenty of bits from it.

Visually, the Grand Commander is smart looking with a simple, no-nonsense yet attractive design. The front-end comes with Jeep’s traditional 7-slat grille and LED headlamps with DRLs. Below the headlamps are the indicator units and a sleek airdam with round fog lamps. At the side, the SUV comes with an upright silhouette while the squared-off wheel arches and 19-inch alloy wheels add to the SUV stance. Moving on to the rear, the SUV comes with sleek split LED tail lamps that get a dash of chrome surround, a splitter and dual-exhausts.  

In terms of size, the Grand Commander is 4873mm long, 1892mm wide, 1738mm tall and has a 2800mm-long wheelbase. Here’s how it fares against the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner:

Inside, the Grand Commander’s interior design takes influence from the bigger Grand Cherokee, which is no bad thing. The central console comes with a big touchscreen unit flanked by vertical AC vents. Other feel-good elements include the hooded dials and a chunky three-spoke steering wheel.  

Noted features in the Grand Commander include Apple CarPlay, three-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, powered front seats, a coloured multi-info display, a Harman sound system as well as keyless entry with push button start. Safety features include an electric parking brake with auto hold, lane assistant, a blind spot monitor and rear parking blindspot warning. 

Under the hood, the China-spec Grand Commander comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that comes in two states of tune: 234PS and 350Nm (two-wheel drive) and 265PS and 400Nm (all-wheel drive). Both variants come with a 9-speed automatic transmission only. For India, Jeep will most likely offer the India-spec 7-seater SUV with a diesel engine as well.   

Prices for the upcoming 7-seater Jeep are expected to be in the range of Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh. When launched, the SUV will lock horns with the Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner and Mahindra Alturas G4. 

Note: FCA declined to comment when we contacted it regarding the latest development.