2023 Jeep Gladiator

Overview

With the Gladiator, Jeep delivered on the demands of Wrangler owners who wanted the fun and freedom of owning an off-road SUV with a pickup-truck bed attached to its hind quarters. The Gladiator, like the Wrangler that it’s based on, has a removable top and doors but comes with 1000 pounds of added max towing capacity. Like its Wrangler sibling, its handling-and-ride behavior make it better suited for trail use versus conventional mid-size pickups such as the Honda Ridgeline and Chevrolet Colorado. You pay for that with less refined manners on paved roads. Every Gladiator has a four-door cab, a 5.0-foot bed, and a capable four-wheel-drive system. Gladiators are available with a six-speed manual transmission and an optional turbodiesel powertrain that greatly improves fuel economy. All come standard with trail-conquering capability.

What’s New for 2023?

Jeep doesn’t shake up the Gladiator Rx much for 2023, but it has added a limited-edition Freedom package, available on Sport S trims for an additional $3295. The Freedom package brings a military-themed exterior to honor US servicemen and women; it hunks up the trucks with a special steel front bumper and rock sliders. A Capability package is available for the High Altitude trim that includes a winch-capable steel front bumper, steel rock sliders, and a front off-road camera. Mid-tier Willys models receive more standard features for 2023, such as keyless entry and remote start. The delicious-looking maroon Snazzberry paint is replaced by a fluorescent High Velocity yellow.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We think the Sport S is the perfect canvas to create our ideal Gladiator. We’d choose the all-terrain tires and anti-spin rear differential for improved traction when the blacktop ends, and we’d add the side steps to make getting in out and easier. We’d also select the three-piece hard top for its ability to quickly open the roof. Inside, we’d spec the headliner for better noise and temperature insulation and upgrade to the larger 8.4-inch touchscreen, because it adds navigation and is more sophisticated than the standard 5.0-inch unit. Our other preferred options include the Cargo Management pack (400-watt power inverter, an under-seat storage bin, and a bed-mounted 115-volt outlet) and the auxiliary switches and upgraded charging system for any lightbars or accessories that we’ll surely add for maximum Jeepness.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Gladiator is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque routed through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic. We tested an Overland model with the automatic, which needed 7.2 seconds to scoot to 60 mph. In other words, it’s slightly slower than most competitors. We’ve also driven a Gladiator with the diesel 3.0-liter V-6, which develops 260 ponies and a mighty 442 pound-feet of twist. Compared with the regular Wrangler, the Gladiator has an extra 19.4 inches between the front and rear wheels. Jeep says this helps improve the pickup’s ride and handling. Now that we’ve driven several examples, we can confirm that it drives much like the Wrangler. On paved roads the truck’s steering lacks precision and the ride can be busy on uneven surfaces. Still, these characteristics are part of the formula that make the Gladiator both a legitimate pickup truck and a trail-ready tool. Enthusiasts care more about the truck’s available off-road equipment, which includes everything from copious skid plates to rock-crawling axle ratios to the ability to ford up to 30 inches of water. Generous ground clearance and approach/departure angles further help the Gladiator conquer parts unknown.

More on the Gladiator Pickup

Towing and Payload Capacity

When properly equipped, the Gladiator can tow an impressive 7650 pounds. Even the weakest version can pull a 4000-pound trailer. For comparison, the Wrangler is only rated to tow up to 3500 pounds. Those looking to load up the Gladiators cargo bed can carry between 1105 and 1700 pounds of payload.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Gladiator models equipped with the standard manual transmission are rated at 16 mpg city and 23 highway. The automatic gearbox increases its estimated city mpg to 16 and drops its highway figure to 22 mpg. The diesel version is rated at 22 mpg city and 28 highway. We’ve only tested gas-burning Gladiators with the automatic transmission on our 75-mph highway route that helps us evaluate real-world fuel economy. The Overland model was the most efficient version, returning 21 mpg on the highway, but the Mojave returned a much lower 15 mpg. However, the latter was equipped with bigger tires and a higher rear axle ratio than the Overland (4.10 versus 3.73). For more information about the Gladiator’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Gladiator has an upright dashboard that imitates the Wrangler’s and supports user-friendly controls. Durable details include a waterproof push-button start, and there are optional convenience features such as a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. Jeep says the truck’s stretched wheelbase improves back-seat legroom versus the four-door Wrangler. The Gladiator also has body and roof panels that can be easily removed to create an open-air cabin. Along with its five-foot cargo bed, the Gladiator is filled with ingenious interior storage options. Its cabin has a handful of spots to stick a smartphone and a handy compartment hidden under the back seat. The seats themselves can be stowed in multiple ways and then securely locked in place for when the trail turns treacherous.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every model has a standard touchscreen, but only the larger 7.0- and 8.4-inch displays come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The stereo system can also be upgraded with an optional subwoofer and portable wireless speaker behind the back seat. Front-seat passengers will be privy to several power points, which include two USBs and a USB-C port; a 115-volt outlet is also available.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Although the Jeep pickup is available with a handful of driver-assistance technology, its roster is significantly smaller than some competitors. The Rubicon model has a useful front-facing camera that comes in handy when blazing trails or crawling over rocks. For more information about the Gladiator’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Available adaptive cruise control Available blind-spot monitoring Available rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Gladiator has a warranty that’s similar to the rest of the Jeep lineup, which includes competitive limited and powertrain coverages. The pickup also includes three years of free maintenance.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years and unlimited miles

Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS

2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland 4×4

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup

PRICE AS TESTED
$55,040 (base price: $41,890)

ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement

220 cu in, 3605 cc

Power

285 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): live axle/live axle
Brakes (F/R): 13.0-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685, 255/70R-18 113T M+S  

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 137.3 in
Length: 218.0 in
Width: 73.8 in
Height: 73.1 in
Passenger volume: 104 cu ft
Curb weight: 4812 lb

C/D
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 7.3 sec
Zero to 90 mph: 16.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: N/A
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.8 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.6 sec @ 88 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 98 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 195 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.74 g
*stability-control-inhibited

C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 18 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 21 mpg
Highway range: 460 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 19/17/22 mpg 

More Features and Specs