Pros

• The rugged appearance and off-road capabilities of Jeeps make them stand out.
• Trucks without a roof are your only option.
• The rear seat area is more spacious than in comparable midsize pickups.

Cons

• The Rubicon package’s slow and unresponsive steering is a significant drawback.
• The road can be rocky.
• wasteful use of fuel

The driving style of the Gladiator. We put a V6-powered Gladiator Rubicon through its paces. Our test truck took only 8.5 seconds to travel from 0-60 mph. Although that is relatively slow for a midsize pickup, it feels pretty enough in practice. The V6 engine is powerful and quick to reach motorway speeds. The automated transmission allows for rapid firing and gear changes.

The Gladiator Rubicon is at its best when the road crumbles and turns to dirt. It has sufficient traction and ground clearance to traverse virtually any obstacle. Due to its longer wheelbase, the Gladiator is slightly less maneuverable than the Wrangler in congested areas.

The Gladiator’s massive tires and robust front axle make it excellent off-road, but they also make it challenging to drive on the road. You need to pay special attention since the steering is sloppy, the road is bumpy, and there are crosswinds. However, it’s easier to operate than a Wrangler.

How comfy is the Gladiator seat? The solid front axle provides a hefty vehicle and a less comfortable ride. The Gladiator will jiggle and shake as you travel through rugged terrain. The wind and road noise is louder than in other vehicles. The situation improved significantly after that. The air conditioning is powerful, and there are vents in the back for passengers. It’s comfortable to sit in the seats.

Just how is the inner condition? The Gladiator’s controls are intuitively and conveniently located. Because of its wider back seat, the Jeep has a significant advantage over crew-cab pickups and the usual Jeep driving style of sitting up straight works well. The Gladiator Rubicon model we tried was tall and awkward to enter, but it was made more accessible by the abundance of grab handles and the wide opening of the doors. Were you also unaware that it’s a top-down ride?

Due to the excellent visibility in both directions, drivers have no trouble positioning their tires precisely where they need to be. The standard rearview camera can be paired with a forward-facing, off-road-ready camera.

How reliable is the technology, exactly? The tablet for the media centre is attractive and easy to use. It’s also simple to operate thanks to the well-thought-out combination of fixed buttons, knobs, and touch features. The alternative Alpine stereo system has crisp, pleasant sound quality. The Gladiator’s latest driver assistance systems are welcome additions.

What’s the status of transport and warehousing? The Gladiator is superior to the competition because it can haul a heavy load and has a high tow grade (like the Rubicon). The bed is solidly constructed, with a motorised tailgate and low bedside rails. Due to its tiny body, the original mirrors must be more adequate for seeing beyond a wide load in a Gladiator. You can install aftermarket tow mirrors if you frequently pull trailers.

The rear seat is spacious and foldable, making it ideal for cargo and child safety seats. The lack of storage space is the primary drawback of the Gladiator. There is simply a net pocket within the little centre console and glove box.

How efficient is its utilisation of gas? The Gladiator’s design doesn’t suggest it was intended to be a lightweight gas guzzler. The EPA estimates that the Gladiator’s V6 engine and automatic transmission will yield 19 mpg combined. Comparable six-cylinder medium-sized 4×4 pickups operate similarly.

Jeep does not provide a more efficient four-cylinder engine, but the diesel V6 achieves a respectable combined fuel economy of 24 mpg.

The Gladiator: Should You Buy It? The Gladiator is expensive but well worth it due to its sturdy construction. All versions come standard with a manual transmission, which is excellent if you enjoy them. However, adding an automatic transmission to your purchase will set you back over $2,000 before you even consider options. The warranty covers the usual ground.

Jeep’s Wrangler is a pickup truck. Is any further explanation necessary? Some off-road capability is sacrificed when going from a four-door Wrangler to this. You know you want a car. If you’re thinking, “I need a truck,” this one screams Jeep cool and outdoor adventure. Jeep excelled at its task.

There has yet to be an official word from Jeep regarding the 2024 Gladiator as of this writing. Based on the Gladiator from the previous year, the Overland is the most well-rounded trim. It starts from the same blank slate as the Sport but adds polish in the form of power windows and door locks, an upgraded touchscreen, and built-in navigation. However, splurging on the Rubicon is fine if you regularly traverse rugged terrain. It’s admirable that Jeep has been so committed to developing a diesel engine, but we still need convincing. It would take a while for the diesel’s more excellent gas mileage to justify its initial higher price.

Different Jeep Gladiator models

Five persons can ride comfortably in the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck. You can choose from the Sport, Overland, Rubicon, or Mojave edition. Only a four-door crew cab with a short bed (five feet) is available.