The Jeep Gladiator, a mid-size pickup truck, is a product of the Jeep division of Stellantis North America, formerly known as FCA US. The truck made its debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 28, 2018, and hit the market in the spring of 2019 as a 2020 model. Sharing the same platform as the Wrangler JL, the Gladiator marked Jeep’s return to the pickup truck market after discontinuing the Comanche in 1992. Beyond the Americas, the Jeep Gladiator has also been introduced to the Australian market.
The History of the Jeep Gladiator
The Gladiator name carries historical significance for Jeep, tracing its roots back to the original Jeep Gladiator produced from 1962 until 1988, which was later known as the J-Series post-1971. Jeep contemplated reviving several names, including Gladiator, Comanche, and Scrambler, or even opting for a new name altogether. Ultimately, they settled on Gladiator, believing it was the best fit for this truck.
In 2003, a two-door version of a Jeep Scrambler pickup, based on an extended Wrangler model, was showcased at the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting.
By late 2004, the Jeep Gladiator concept was unveiled. The 2005 Gladiator Concept, which previewed the design of the upcoming Jeep Wrangler (JK), featured removable doors and a pickup bed, but not a removable roof. It was powered by a 3.0 L Common-Rail Diesel (CRD) engine created by VM Motori, similar to the engine used in certain models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This was paired with a manual transmission and four-wheel drive. The concept model also included functional rear mini-doors, rear seating, and showcased a green-on-gray color scheme for both its exterior and interior.
Exterior Styling
The exterior design of the Jeep Gladiator, a mid-size pickup truck with four doors and seating for five, is heavily influenced by the Wrangler JL. Taylor Langhals was the principal exterior designer for the Gladiator. In acknowledgment of the frequent use of trucks for hauling and towing, the front grille slots were made larger to facilitate better airflow and more robust engine cooling. Unlike the Wrangler, where the full-sized spare tire is mounted on the rear tailgate, the Gladiator’s spare tire is located under the cargo bed.
The Gladiator offers four roof options, mirroring those available on the Wrangler JL. These include a black vinyl Sun-Rider soft top and a premium black fabric Sun-Rider soft top, both fully retractable. Also available are a black Freedom-Top three-piece hard top and a color-matched Freedom-Top three-piece hard top, both featuring removable aluminum roof panels.
Unique to the Gladiator is the option to completely remove the front and rear doors, and lower the windshield, a feature also found in the Wrangler JL. Jeep even provides a tool kit with the necessary tools for these modifications. Furthermore, the Gladiator stands out as the only truck on the market offering a convertible folding soft top.
An optional front-facing trail camera, installed in one of the front grille slots, displays an image on the touchscreen of the area directly in front of the vehicle. This feature, which requires one of the two larger U Connect touchscreen displays, aids in off-road navigation, such as water fording and climbing over obstacles like logs and rocks. The “Off Road Pages” application, displayed in the instrument cluster, allows Gladiator drivers to monitor approach and departure angles, steering angles and more.
Powertrain
Upon its release, the Jeep Gladiator was equipped solely with a 3.6L Pentastar gasoline V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing, generating 285 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque. From 2021 onward for three years, a 3.0L EcoDiesel Turbocharged diesel V6 engine was made available as an option. This engine delivered 260 horsepower and 442 lb. ft. of torque. However, this EcoDiesel engine was not available for the Mojave trim level. Gasoline-powered Gladiators have the choice between a six-speed manual Aisin AL6 (D478) or a Chrysler-made version of the ZF 8HP automatic transmission. Diesel-powered Gladiators, on the other hand, are only offered with the 8HP75 automatic variant of the ZF 8HP transmission. All powertrain options originate from the Jeep Wrangler (JL). Unlike the Wrangler JL, though, the Gladiator does not provide a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine option.
As with the Jeep Wrangler (JL), which shares its platform, all Gladiator models come standard with four-wheel drive. Four different systems are available: the Command-Trac part-time system and the Selec-Trac full-time system, both accessible on all models except the Rubicon, and two variants of the Rock-Trac system on the Rubicon (both with 4.10 gear ratios): a standard part-time version or an optional full-time version.
Gladiator Trim levels
The Jeep Gladiator offers various trim levels, starting with the basic Sport and mid-level Sport S, going up to the plush Overland, the desert-ready Mojave, and the off-road-prepared Rubicon. A limited-edition model, the Rubicon Launch Edition, limited to 4,190 units, is also available. The distinction between the Gladiator and the Wrangler JL becomes apparent in their luxury trim levels. The high-end Wrangler is labeled “Sahara”, while the equivalent Gladiator is called the “Overland” model. The Overland model, when outfitted with leather upholstery, features a stitched soft-touch dashboard surface and hand-stitched dashboard, similar to the Wrangler Sahara.
Payload And Towing Capacities
The Jeep Gladiator’s payload and towing capacities differ depending on the specific model. The payload capacity ranges from 1,000 lb (450 kg) as a minimum to a maximum of 1,700 lb (770 kg) for the Sport S model equipped with a 3.6 L V6 engine and a six-speed manual transmission.
The truck bed can be optionally fitted with a rear folding tonneau cover. This feature includes a “Weekend Warrior Mode” that allows for the tailgate to be closed while accommodating 2×4-inch lumber in the pickup bed. The tonneau cover is designed to open in sections, be fully retracted or removed as needed. Additionally, the tailgate is hinged and has the flexibility to be locked in a semi-open position when there is no need for it to be fully down.
Towing capacity also varies across models. The standard Gladiator has a towing capacity of 4,000 lb (1,800 kg). However, select Gladiator Sport models offer a heavy-duty towing package that increases the towing capacity to 7,650 lb (3,470 kg) and includes a 4.10 rear axle ratio. Rubicon models with automatic transmissions can tow up to 7,000 lb. It’s worth noting that the towing capacity for the diesel-powered Gladiator is lower than that of the gasoline-powered variant.
Off-roading Capabilities
The Gladiator boasts off-roading capabilities with an approach angle of 43.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.3 degrees, and a departure angle of 26 degrees. The Rubicon variant further enhances these capabilities with electric lockers on both front and rear axles, and an electronic disconnecting front sway-bar.
Additionally, the Gladiator can be equipped with a front camera system that enables the driver to spot obstacles ahead and to the sides of the vehicle while navigating off-road terrains. For further assistance during off-road adventures, the Off-road Pages feature in the Uconnect infotainment system’s Apps section provides valuable vehicle monitoring information.
The Gladiator stands out with distinctive features such as a flat rear load floor for accommodating taller and longer items within the vehicle’s interior, lockable storage under the rear bench seat, and a detachable Bluetooth wireless speaker that charges when the vehicle is running and the speaker is docked behind the rear bench seat. From the front seats onward, the Gladiator mirrors the interior design of the Jeep Wrangler JL, with a similar dash layout and placement of gear selector, 4WD mode selector, and manual parking brake. However, in models with an automatic gearbox, the gear selector depicts a Gladiator rather than a Willys Jeep, which is found on the Wrangler’s automatic gearbox selector.
Like the Wrangler JL, the Gladiator offers three different touchscreen infotainment systems, each incorporating the rearview camera into the touchscreen:
Untll 2021, Sport, Willys Sport, Sport S, and Willys models were equipped with the U Connect 3 5.0BT radio. It includes an A/M-F/M stereo tuner, Bluetooth capabilities for hands-free calling and audio streaming, a microSD card slot, and an auxiliary audio input jack. SiriusXM Satellite Radio was available as an option. This radio option was discontinued for the Gladiator after the 2021 model year.
All through until 2021, Freedom, Overland, Mojave, and Rubicon models featured the U Connect 4 7.0 infotainment system. This system has all the features of the base-model U Connect 3 5.0BT radio, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and the removal of the microSD card slot. SiriusXM Satellite Radio is an optional feature. The U Connect 4 7.0 system was optional on the 2020 and 2021 Sport S and Willys models. Starting in 2022, Sport, Willys Sport, Sport S, and Willys models came standard with the U Connect 4 7.0 system, as the U Connect 3 5.0BT radio was discontinued.
Up until to 2021, all models except the base Sport and Sport Willys offered the U Connect 4C 8.4 infotainment system with GPS navigation. This system includes all the features of the mid-level U Connect 4 7.0 system, along with HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (including a one-year trial subscription), SiriusXM Travel Link Services (including a five-year trial subscription), U Connect Guardian Services powered by SiriusXM (including a one-year trial subscription), a 4G LTE wireless modem, and Garmin-based GPS navigation. This system was also standard on the 2021 80th Anniversary Edition and High Altitude models. Starting with the 2022 model year, Overland, Mojave, and Rubicon models came standard with the U Connect 4 8.4 system with GPS navigation. The system is also available on all Gladiator models except for the base Sport and Willys Sport models when equipped with the optional 8.4 Radio and Premium Audio Group.
Standard Eight Speaker Audio System
In all Gladiator models, excluding the 80th Anniversary Edition and High Altitude models, an eight-speaker audio system is standard. This system includes four four-inch speakers and four 3.5-inch speakers. A superior Alpine premium audio system with an amplifier, a dashboard-mounted 3.5-inch center-channel speaker, and a subwoofer located under the rear split-bench seat is optional for all models excluding the base Sport and Willys Sport. However, this premium system comes standard on the 80th Anniversary Edition and High Altitude models.
If the U Connect 4C 8.4 infotainment system with GPS navigation or the 8.4 Radio and Premium Audio Group is selected, the Alpine premium audio system is automatically included. Starting from the 2022 model year, this premium sound system became a standard feature on the Overland, Mojave, and Rubicon models.
Furthermore, all models equipped with the Alpine system have the unique option of a portable wireless Bluetooth speaker that recharges when docked behind the split-bench seat. This feature is exclusive to the Gladiator and not available on its sibling, the Jeep Wrangler (JL).
Gladiator Special Editions
The Jeep Gladiator boasts several special editions, each with its unique features and offerings.
The Gladiator Altitude
The Gladiator Altitude, launched in 2020, is a variant of the Sport S model. It features a body-color grille and fender flares, 18-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels, a black hardtop, and blacked-out interior accents.
The Gladiator High Altitude Edition
Another notable edition is the Gladiator High Altitude Edition, unveiled at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show. This high-end trim level features a unique emblem on the rear tailgate and offers twenty-inch all-season tires with black-painted aluminum-alloy wheels. Other exclusive features include color-keyed front and rear fender flares, door handles, side mirrors, and bumpers. The LED front and rear lighting, a color-keyed three-piece hardtop roof, a standard 8.4-inch U Connect 4C touchscreen infotainment system with SiriusXM Guardian, satellite radio, and Travel Link services and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration are also part of the package. It also boasts an Alpine nine-speaker premium amplified audio system with a subwoofer, leather-trimmed seats with heating for both front bucket seats and the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and black “Trail Rated 4X4” emblems on both front fenders.
The Gladiator North Edition
In 2019, Jeep introduced the Gladiator North Edition, which is based on the luxury-oriented Overland model. This edition targets Gladiator buyers residing in colder climates. In addition to the standard equipment on the Overland, the North Edition model adds features such as the U Connect 4C 8.4 touchscreen infotainment system with SiriusXM Guardian, satellite radio, and Travel Link services and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. It also includes the nine-speaker Alpine premium amplified audio system with a subwoofer, the Cold Weather Group (comprising dual heated front bucket seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a remote vehicle starter system), a unique “North” emblem on the rear tailgate, and rubberized all-weather front and rear floor mats. The North Edition was the first special-edition Gladiator trim level to be released, followed by the Gladiator Mojave model.
The Gladiator Mojave
The Jeep Gladiator Mojave, unveiled at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, marks the debut of Jeep’s first “Desert-Rated” model. The Mojave trim is characterized by 33-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires (with mud-terrain tires as an optional upgrade), unique seventeen-inch painted aluminum-alloy wheels, and FOX brand 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs. Distinguishing features include a “Desert Rated 4X4” emblem on both front fenders, replacing the usual “Trail Rated 4X4” emblem, and unique “Mojave” decals on both sides of the hood. Other special features include orange tow hooks, an “Off Road Plus” button on the center console for enhanced off-road capabilities, and the ability to lock the Gladiator’s rear axles at high speeds in 4WD High mode – a feature exclusive to the Mojave. When equipped with optional leather-trimmed seats, the interior boasts a special heat-reflective material designed to endure extreme heat. All Mojave interiors display unique orange stitching on the seats, steering wheel, dashboard, and door trim panels.
Gladiator Rubicon Launch Edition
Jeep marked the Gladiator’s launch with the limited-edition Rubicon Launch Edition model. This model was only available for pre-order through a special website on April 4, 2019 (Jeep 4X4 Day). Based on the top-of-the-line Rubicon trim level, the Rubicon Launch Edition includes all available options for that trim level with no additional options. With an MSRP of $62,310, Jeep produced only 4,190 units of the limited-edition Rubicon Launch Edition Gladiators. The number “4,190” pays tribute to the 419 area code of Toledo, Ohio, where the Gladiator is assembled. The Rubicon Launch Edition stands out from other Gladiator models with its special badging, exclusive wheels, and a leather-wrapped instrument panel adorned with red stitching. The Launch Edition was available in five colors: Black, Bright White, Firecracker Red, Granite Crystal Metallic, and Billet Silver Metallic.
The Gladiator Texas Trail Edition
The Jeep Gladiator Texas Trail Edition made its debut on April 12, 2021. This special edition, exclusive to Texas, is based on the Gladiator Sport S trim and features unique 1836 decals, commemorating Texas’s Declaration of Independence. The exterior comes standard with 17-inch Mid-Gloss Black Aluminum wheels, black side steps, and a hardtop, along with Jeep’s exclusive “Trail Rated” badge. Both Pentastar and EcoDiesel V6 engines are available for this edition, with a starting MSRP of $40,535.
The Gladiator Willys
In 2021, Jeep introduced the Gladiator Willys, based on the Sport S model. With a base price of $39,260, the Willys edition shares several features with the higher-spec Rubicon, including standard Rock Rails and robust 32-inch BF Goodrich KM2 mud-terrain tires. It also comes equipped with a locking rear differential and Jeep’s Command-Trac 4×4 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. Additional features that set the Willys Edition apart include a hood decal, a retro-style 4WD tailgate decal, 17-inch black aluminum wheels with gray pad print, and a gloss black grille.
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