Strengths:
Strong off-road abilities and background character that is traditional of jeep vehicles. Great towing capacity.
Weaknesses:
No diesel engine option available, the one-size model for everyone, hefty price tag.
Result:
It contains all of the regular Jeep must-have with a pickup-truck feel.
Overview
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator picks up were in the early 1990s, the last cargo-bed-carrying version of the brand — the Comanche — left off. The truck version combines a four-door cab with a five-foot box and a compulsory batch of serious off-road great and useful off-road equipment that is based on the legendary Wrangler. The latter has wide off-road tires, a sturdy suspension, and sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems. While a diesel-powered V-6 will eventually arrive, this Jeep currently has only one gasoline version available. Despite that, the 2020 Gladiator is a special mid-size pickup truck entry and has earned a spot on our 2020 top10 best list. The unmistakably sturdy exterior and interchangeable body panels make it a very sleek and fashionable vehicle that can be used for many different purposes.
New For 2020
The all-new Gladiator finally emerges from the shadows as the first Jeep pickup truck in nearly 30 years after years of excitement and speculation. Its first official appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show unveiled a host of new details about the long-awaited version of the brand, which was rumoured to be named everything from Scrambler (a name briefly used from 1981 to 1985) to simply “Wrangler Pickup.” Although it won’t be in showrooms for several months yet, Jeep’s latest offering would eventually compete head-to-head with iconic off-road rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, Toyota Tacoma TRD models, and the Ford Ranger Raptor.
Prices And Which One To Buy?
- Sport model: $35,040
- Sport S model: $38,240
- Overland model: $41,890
- Rubicon model: $45,040
The Gladiator lineup 2020 starts at just over $35,000 and costs $2000 more than a standard Jeep Wrangler four-door base model. It’s believed that the extra money is worth spending for the additional practicality of its truck bed and another towing capacity of 4150 pounds. It’s suggested to stick with the Sport S Gladiator and also stick to the regular six-speed manual transmission. It’s also recommended to attach the anti-spin rear differential (which includes all-terrain knobbier tires) together with the Trailer Tow package to allow the full towing capacity to be unlocked. The 7.0-inch Radio Group adds a bigger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features, and a heated steering wheel and front seats are added to the Cold Weather kit. The Gladiator will also have the option three-piece hardtop instead of the regular soft-top. With the Sport S model, it offers extra features and options that aren’t on the base model of the Gladiator.
Performance, Transmission, Engine, And Towing Features
In dealerships, the 2020 Gladiator will arrive with a 3.6-litre V-6 delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft torque routed through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. The automatic Overland model was tested, and it took 7.2 seconds to get from zero to 60 mph. In other words, it is slightly slower than most competitors in the mid-size pickup truck range. It’s been noted that Gladiator will add a 3.0-litre V-6 diesel that will produce 260 horses and a strong twist of 442 lb-ft of twist, but that will not arrive until 2020. If you decide to choose the max towing kit, it has the ability to carry up to 7650 pounds in the cargo bed, which is closely aligned with the Canyon and Colorado diesel engines.
The Gladiator is 31 inches longer in comparison to the regular Jeep Wrangler and has an extra 19.4 inches between the front and rear wheels. Not only does this increase interior passenger space by a fair amount, but Jeep also says that when carrying cargo, it improves ride and handling ability as well. One was test-driven and it is said that it’s a lot like driving the Wrangler. Like some previous models, sometimes the steering is not very reliable and the ride can be busy on uneven surfaces. Still, these features are part of the formula that makes the Gladiator a legitimate pick-up truck as well as a trail-ready vehicle.
Many Jeep enthusiasts are focused on the off-road capabilities of these types of vehicles. Some ideal traits that it contains are skid plates and rock-crawling axle ratios that give it the ability to clear up to 30 inches of water. This high ground clearance gives the vehicle the ability to clear areas where many other vehicles cannot.
Fuel economy
Jeep hasn’t released an official statement on EPA estimates for the Gladiator, so its fuel economy and real-world miles per gallon remains somewhat of a mystery for the time being. It’s noted that every model that is released will have an engine stop/start system to mitigate the fuel costs. It’s also expected that the diesel engine will be a little niftier than the gas engine, but will also cost more.
Interior, Cargo, And Infotainment Details
With a convertible hard and soft top, great infotainment, and a truck bed, these are welcome additions. But the removable pieces of the exterior will have an effect on noise levels and there is only one cab size for now. The Gladiator has a dashboard that is upright that kind of resembles the Jeep Wrangler. It also has very user-friendly controls that are simple to navigate your way around. It has a waterproof push start button with optional convenience characteristics like a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. Jeep has stated that the extended wheelbase gives a lot more legroom in the backseat in comparison to the four-door Wrangler. The Gladiator also contains roof and body panels that can be taken off to give the cabin more open air.
Each model will have a regular touchscreen, but only the larger displays will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is an option to upgrade the stereo system with a subwoofer and wireless speakers that are located behind the back seat. Several power outlets will be scattered around the front seats which include two USBs, a USB-C port, and a 115-volt outlet.
The Gladiator has a bunch of interior storage options as well. You can put your cell phones in a variety of different compartments in the vehicle, including hidden ones under the back seat. A nice option is that the seats can be stowed in many different ways and then locked in place when off-roading becomes trickier.
Safety Features
The Gladiator has not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The vehicle comes with a number of different driver-assistance features. The Rubicon model has a front-facing camera that is very convenient when going over rough terrain. Adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitors are also part of the safety features.
Warranty
The Gladiator will most likely share the same warranty and maintenance coverage as the rest of the Jeep lineup. It will probably also come included with the company’s Wave ownership program that gives customers a few oil-changes and tire-rotations free of charge for the first two years. The limited warranty period is said to cover 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles.