Jeep Gladiator Review

The Jeep Gladiator is the image of adventure. Pull up any picture of the great outdoors, insert a picture of the Gladiator into it, and it would fit right in! This pickup truck is versatile in more ways than one, you see. No, literally, you can see this truck transform before your very eyes. Need proof? Keep on reading.

Choose Your Adventurer

Do you love to challenge yourself to take on new trails or terrain? Looks like you’re going to need the perfect Jeep Gladiator for the job. There are seven Gladiator trims, ranging from daily drivers to desert dwellers. Which one will you pick?

Sport
Sport S
Willys
Rubicon
Mojave
Rubicon X
Mojave X

Whether you prefer to stay by the water or venture deep into the forest, you can choose from nine paints that match your preferred landscape! Classic choices include Black, Granite, Anvil, Silver Zynith, and Bright White. However, depending on the locale, you’ll easily camouflage in Hydro Blue, Firecracker Red, High Velocity, or Sarge Green.

A Full-Frontal Sensory Experience

The Jeep Gladiator is the only open-air truck in the biz. Are you ready to see it transform? Jeep enthusiasts know about the removable top and doors, but did you know there are several roof options to help you experience the rush of open-air freedom?

Sunrider® for hardtop – Think of this option as a collapsible fabric sunroof that only covers the front row.

3-piece removable hardtop – This hardtop roof snaps off in three easy-to-store pieces. Available in the Black Freedom Top® hardtop, too.

Zipperless Sunrider® soft top – This option replaces the 3-panel roof with afoldable and flexible fabric.

Did you think the Gladiator was done? This pickup still has a couple tricks up its sleeve. A Corning® Gorilla® Glass windshield is standard on all models except the base, and it helps resist cracks and chips caused by off-road debris. Oh, also, it’s a segment-exclusive fold-down windshield, so it can fold down onto the hood, fully inviting the outdoors inside.

The Gladiator has the fortified strength and utility to help you do what you want. Do you want to go jet skiing this weekend? Just say when. Are you ready to dive deep into your garden refresh? The Gladiator has room for tools, totes, and tulip bundles. When you’re ready to go, this Jeep truck will be, too.

The Power of Legends

It all starts with what’s under the hood: a 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine capable of 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Paired with standard 4-wheel drive, you can hit the asphalt or dirt anytime! With the proper equipment, the Gladiator can tow up to 7,700 pounds. Flex your muscles by towing any of these toys:

A water ski boat
A lightweight towable camping trailer
A small hard-sided RV
A small recreational boat
A couple jet skis

Attached to the back is a rugged steel box that handles the weight of heavy textiles, fishing gear, or two dirt bikes. How does it do it? With its best-in-class 4x4 payload capacity of 1,725 pounds, that’s how.

Cargo Craze

Back to the Gladiator’s cargo bed. It measures five feet long and can fit up to 35.5 cubic feet of your stuff inside! Whether you’ve got mountain bikes, camping gear, or wood planks on board, the 3-position tailgate will help you lock it in place as you drive. Speaking of which, the available Cargo Management System is an organizer’s dream. It delivers strong securing solutions, a tonneau bed cover, and the Trail Rail™ System.

The Jeep’s versatility comes into play once again. The tailgate can also be a makeshift bed for sleeping under the stars, a place to enjoy an ice cream cone after a long day at the beach, or a cozy spot at a drive-in movie theater!

We’ve saved the best for last: the Gladiator’s off-road capability. This Jeep’s bona fide engineering was put through rigorous performance testing in some of the world’s most ruthless landscapes, seeing how far it could venture. Keep reading to find out the results.

The Off-Road Toolbox

To venture into the vast beyond, the Gladiator needs its off-road toolbox. Jeep packed this pickup with plenty of equipment to endure the unbearable. You already know that 4-wheel drive comes standard, and that’s just the beginning.

Tru-Lok® Electronic Locking Differentials – Helps you maintain momentum and traction.

Sway Bar Disconnect – Delivers in big ways to provide better front-wheel articulation.

TrailCam Off-Road Camera – Keep a sharp eye on the trail ahead via this forward-facing camera.

Off-Road+ Button – Optimizes throttle, transmission shift points, and traction control on both high- and low-speed adventures.

What’s a gladiator without its armor? The Jeep comes with front and rear tow hooks, steel skid plates, and rock rails so you can explore without a scrape.

Rated for Adventure

The Jeep Gladiator can go anywhere, especially its Rubicon and Mojave trims. The Gladiator Rubicon was made for rocky terrain with its exterior protection and raised ride height. It wears a Trail Rated® badge proudly, earning its traction, water fording, maneuverability, articulation, and ground clearance stripes.

As its name suggests, the Gladiator Mojave belongs among the dunes and other arid biomes. It has even earned a Desert Rated badge (the first in Jeep’s lineup, too!) After hardcore testing in sweltering heat and unstable sand, the Gladiator Mojave proves it can go where other vehicles will never see the light of day.