Jeep Gladiator
2020-2024
The Gladiator represents pure American adventure spirit, combining the freedom of open-air driving with serious truck capability. It's the vehicle for those who want to haul their boat to the lake and then remove the doors for the drive home.
Quick Take
The Jeep Gladiator is the only open-air pickup truck in the market, combining Wrangler off-road capability with truck utility. It features removable doors and roof panels, along with best-in-class off-road capability including factory rock rails and skid plates.
Best For
Key Strength
Unmatched Open-Air Experience
Watch For
Compromised On-Road Refinement
The Story
Heritage & Legacy
Born from the legendary Wrangler platform, the Gladiator revives Jeep's truck heritage that began with the original Gladiator in 1962. It carries forward 80 years of Jeep's go-anywhere capability into the modern pickup truck segment.
Design Philosophy
Form follows function with distinctive seven-slot grille and utilitarian design that prioritizes capability over refinement. Every element serves a purpose, from the fold-flat windshield to the integrated tie-down points in the bed.
The Driving Experience
Engine Character
The Pentastar V6 delivers steady, reliable power with a focus on low-end torque for off-road crawling and towing. It's not particularly refined but provides the dependable grunt needed for serious work and play.
Chassis Dynamics
Built for capability over comfort, with solid axles front and rear that excel off-road but create a bouncy, truck-like ride on pavement. The long wheelbase provides stability while maintaining impressive approach and departure angles.
Sound Signature
Distinctive exhaust note with removable doors amplifies the mechanical symphony of V6 engine, transmission, and wind noise.
Strengths & Tradeoffs
Defining Strengths
The Gladiator is the only midsize pickup offering removable doors and a fold-down windshield, creating a unique driving experience no competitor can match. Combined with the available soft or hard top removal, it transforms from practical truck to adventure machine instantly.
With standard 4WD, advanced transfer cases, and Rubicon models featuring locking differentials and disconnecting sway bars, the Gladiator tackles terrain that would stop conventional pickups. Ground clearance, approach angles, and water fording depth exceed most competitors significantly.
Honest Tradeoffs
The solid axles and off-road suspension tuning create a choppy ride on pavement, with noticeable body roll and wandering at highway speeds. Wind noise with the soft top is excessive, making highway cruising less comfortable than traditional pickups.
The V6 engine struggles with aerodynamics and weight, delivering some of the worst fuel economy in the midsize pickup segment. Real-world mpg often falls well short of EPA estimates, especially with larger tires and roof removed.
Ideal Owner
Outdoor enthusiasts who need genuine truck capability combined with unmatched off-road prowess and open-air freedom.