For 2020 the Jeep Gladiator comes with just one engine option, a 3.6L V6 making 285 horsepower. Transmission options include a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 8-speed automatic. Properly equipped, Jeep claims the Gladiator can tow up to 7,650 lbs. Power is sent first to a transfer case and then to the rear or all-four wheels depending on what mode the Gladiator is in. Needless to say, the Gladiator is likely one of the most capable pick-up trucks in the North American market, being based on the Jeep Wrangler.
The Gladiator comes in four basic trims, Sport, Sport S, Overland and Rubicon. Standard features on the base Sport trim include 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, a body colored grille, a fabric convertible top, a 5-inch touchscreen display, an integrated voice command system with Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-speaker sound system with USB and audio input jacks, steering wheel mounted audio controls and Jeep's Uconnect 3 multimedia system.
The Sport S trim adds nicer 17-inch aluminum wheels, power windows, door locks and heated mirrors as well as remote keyless access.
The Overland trim gets bigger 18-inch wheels, body colored exterior fenders, automatic headlights, nicer side steps for easier entry into the vehicle, a 7-inch touchscreen in the center console with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio with a one-year subscription and a second 7-inch display, this time in the driver's instrument cluster.
The top of the line Rubicon concentrates on being the most off-road capable trim level of the bunch. It features bigger 33-inch tires, a more robust 4x4 system with extra low gearing for rock-crawling, an electronically disconnecting front sway bar, locking front and rear differentials, rock sliders on the side of the vehicle and FOX branded shock absorbers. Options on the Rubicon include a forward-facing camera for extra tricky off-road work as well as wider Dana 44 axles.
The Gladiator, like every version of the Wrangler that came before it, is highly customizable. There are several different roof configurations including what Jeep call a "Freedom Top" which can be fully removed, or removed in several different sections, giving owners a few options on how much sun they'd like to get during a drive. Like the Wrangler, its relatively easy to remove the doors and the vehicle can be driven without them easily. Despite being one of the best off-road vehicles ever built, the Gladiator is available with a full adaptive cruise control system which will automatically speed up and slow down with traffic, even coming to a complete stop when necessary.
Unmistakable Jeep Styling
Pickup Truck Utility
Off-roading Ability
Athletic Engine Options
The Jeep Gladiator is a brand-new vehicle for 2020. It combines the styling and off-roading prowess of the Jeep Wrangler but adds a pickup-style truck bed. The result is a mid-sized pickup truck with a ton of practicality and unparalleled off-roading ability. The Gladiator remains mechanically very similar to the Wrangler it's based on, however the longer wheelbase makes for a more stable vehicle on the highway, which in turn allows the Gladiator to work extremely well when towing.
The Jeep Gladiator starts at around $33,500, making its base price a bit more expensive than its main rivals including the Toyota Tacoma and the Ford Ranger. However, the low starting price of the Tacoma and Ranger can mostly be attributed to the stripped out base models that are often sold as commercial fleet vehicles. There is no equivalent Gladiator trim, as even the base model comes well equipped both in terms of both interior amenities as well as in terms of more concrete mechanical items like 4-wheel drive and a V6, both of which are standard across the Gladiator range.
