About the Jeep Gladiator

Do you know what’s better than a Jeep Wrangler? A Jeep Wrangler with a truck bed, that’s what. The Gladiator offers the boxy off-road styling of a Wrangler with the added utility of a decently-sized crew cab pickup truck bed. It’s got incredible off-road capabilities but is every bit as ill-mannered on the road as its SUV counterpart. However, the Gladiator’s towing and hauling specs are likely enough to win over on-the-fence buyers. It’s also available with gas and diesel engines, which give it a leg up on some trucks in its class.

The Gladiator’s closest rival is the Toyota Tacoma, which leads its segment. Buyers wanting to stick with Jeep but want an SUV can choose the Grand Cherokee or Wagoneer for luxury or the Wrangler for traditional off-roading.

What are the advantages of the Jeep Gladiator?

The Gladiator offers unmatched off-road capabilities, and in the right configuration, it’s downright unstoppable when the pavement ends. Its interior is nicer than expected, and the Uconnect infotainment is among the best in the business, bringing great features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

What is the best Jeep Gladiator model year?

Any one of the new Jeep Gladiator’s model years is a good choice, but the diesel engine did not become available until the 2021 model year. If you prioritize towing and fuel efficiency, we recommend diesel Gladiators.

What are the disadvantages of the Jeep Gladiator?

The Gladiator is expensive, and it becomes even more so in higher configurations. At the same time, its off-road prowess comes at the expense of on-road manners, so the Gladiator takes a lot of attention when driving on the highway and at higher speeds.

Comparison: Is the Jeep Gladiator better than the Jeep Wrangler?

The two vehicles offer different benefits, and both have tradeoffs. The Gladiator has a truck bed, so it’s better for people who need to haul and do work, while the Wrangler has an enclosed cargo area. The Wrangler is available with a V8 and a plug-in hybrid powertrain, so there’s more diversity of choice with the SUV over the pickup.

How much cargo space does the Jeep Gladiator have?

The Gladiator comes with a five-foot bed. Depending on the configuration, the payload can be as high as 1,710 pounds.

What is the best engine for the Jeep Gladiator?

The base V6 isn’t a bad choice at all, but the available 3.0-liter turbodiesel offers far more torque.

Horsepower and Torque

260 horsepower, 442 pound-feet of torque.

Transmission

Eight-speed automatic transmission.