Citroen C5 Aircross vs Jeep Meridian vs Kia Sorento (2026)
The classic full size suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Citroen C5 Aircross if you want the biggest boot (580 L).
- Pick the Jeep Meridian if you want the lowest starting price (₹23.33 Lakh), the most seats (7).
- Pick the Kia Sorento if you want the most power (235 bhp).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Citroen C5 Aircross in short
The C5 Aircross was Citroen's India debut in 2021 — a premium 5-seat European SUV pitched on comfort, now in facelift-era runout with a single Shine variant. Its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel makes 177 PS and 400 Nm through an 8-speed automatic, and the Advanced Comfort suspension with progressive hydraulic cushions remains the plushest ride in the class. With a 580-litre boot and three individual sliding rear seats, it is a left-field alternative to the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan while current stock lasts.
Full C5 Aircross prices & variants →Jeep Meridian in short
The Meridian is Jeep India's three-row flagship below the Grand Cherokee, launched in May 2022 as a stretched, 7-seat sibling of the Compass. It shares the 170 PS/350 Nm 2.0 Multijet diesel with 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic, adds 4x4 on the Overland and 85th Anniversary tops, and upper trims carry Level 2 ADAS — something the Compass never got. Its monocoque comfort and car-like manners position it against the Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster, Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento.
Full Meridian prices & variants →Kia Sorento in short
The Sorento is Kia India's flagship three-row SUV, launched on 4 September 2026 at ₹27.99–40.39 lakh (introductory) across 32 variants. Built at Anantapur, it offers a 193 PS 2.2L diesel with an 8-speed DCT or a ~235 PS 1.6T strong hybrid with a 6-speed automatic — the hybrid available with AWD, unique in the segment — in 7-seat and 6-seat captain-chair layouts (6-seat adds ₹20,000, Black Line trim adds ₹20,000). It squares up to the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq and Jeep Meridian.
Full Sorento prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
C5 Aircross vs Meridian vs Sorento — which should I buy?
Pick the Citroen C5 Aircross if you want the biggest boot (580 L). Pick the Jeep Meridian if you want the lowest starting price (₹23.33 Lakh), the most seats (7). Pick the Kia Sorento if you want the most power (235 bhp). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among C5 Aircross, Meridian, Sorento?
The Jeep Meridian starts lowest at ₹23.33 Lakh, against ₹27.99 Lakh for the Sorento and ₹37.32 Lakh for the C5 Aircross (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Citroen C5 Aircross: not yet NCAP-tested; Jeep Meridian: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Sorento: not yet NCAP-tested.