The Jeep Gladiator has been around for a few years, and it's a nice way to have a pickup, while still being in the Jeep family. Together, we'll take a look at how the truck has changed over the years to see which one is the best for you.
Key Takeaways:
- The Gladiator comes with a number of special editions that come with unique badging, with some being limited to only 1000.
- The Gladiator name was revived, and this most recent iteration took it to a whole new level thanks to its features, and versatility.
- If you're wanting something that can tow the most, then look for a Sport trim.
- The Gladiator comes with a few roof options, ranging from hard to soft.
First Generation (2020-Present)
The most recent iteration of the Gladiator shares the name of a long forgotten model of Jeep from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Having been conceptualized in 2004, it took more than a decade for Jeep to unleash the Gladiator.
When this version hit the market, it came as a four-door, five-passenger mid-size truck. Taking some styling notes from others in the Jeep family, this truck was meant for work and play. Car and Driver also says that this Gladiator is “built for the weekend” but that can mean whatever you need it to.
Four different roof options are available for you to pick from. These are two versions of a soft top, with one coming with a more premium material, while both are able to still be retracted. If you're more interested in hard tops, Jeep has you covered with two options for that as well. One of the options is black, while the other matches the color of the vehicle.
Much like other vehicles in the Jeep line, you can remove the front and rear doors, giving you the most freedom that a pickup truck has seen.
Are There Different Trim Levels of the Jeep Gladiator?
The Gladiator is available on a number of trims, depending on the year model you get. From 2020-2023, you could find the Sport, Sport S, and Overland trims, while the Willys Sport was offered from 2021-2023. Willys was also introduced in 2021, and is still going strong into the current day.
If you're looking for something flashy when it comes to the Gladiator, then look no further than the High Altitude trim. Available on 2020, and 2023 models. This is the most expensive trim the Gladiator has seen. This trim had access to a capability package that added a winch-capable steel front bumper, steel rock sliders, and a front off-road camera.
When it hit the roads in 2020, Jeep launched it with a limited-edition Rubicon trim. This trim was limited to 4,190 units, making it a great find for this model.
Being that this is a truck, it can also do some towing, but the exact capacities are trim dependent. The standard towing capacity sits at 4,000 lbs, while the Sport trim got it up all the way to 7,650 lbs. The limited edition Rubicon sat around 7,000 making it even more sought after.
What Off-Road Features Are Seen From the Jeep Gladiator?
Much like the towing aspect, if you manage to find a Rubicon variant, you'll have a front- and rear-axle electric lockers and an electronic disconnecting front sway-bar. While other trims don't have the same.
Up until 2021, any trim with Sport in it, and the Willys trims will come with a U Connect 3 5.0BT radio. Coming with your standard tuner, as well as Bluetooth, auxiliary ports, and even a microSD card slot, giving you a few ways to play your favorite tunes.
Some special editions that you can look for are the North Edition, Mojave, and the FarOut Edition. Taking a closer look at these editions will show how they differ from one another.
The North Edition is made for a colder climate, while that isn't exactly what we have in Florida, if you take frequent trips up north in the winter, this is the one for you. It comes with heated front bucket seats, as well as a heated steering wheel, and a remote start system. Even if you don't use these features often, a unique “North” emblem will set you apart from the rest.
The Mojave Gladiator is Jeep's first ever “desert-rated” model. If that sounds more of your speed, then you're in luck. This edition came with massive 33-inch all-terrain tires that are wrapped around 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Also coming with FOX brand 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, and unique emblems as well as decals.
The FarOut edition came out in 2023, and much like the Rubicon, this was a limited trim, but it came with even less. This was only available in 1,000 units. Being that the 3.0L diesel engine was phased out, this was the last time you could get it on a Gladiator. To commemorate that, Jeep gave this edition hood graphics, and tailgate badging to show what's under the hood.
Is a Used Jeep Gladiator Worth Purchasing?
No matter what you're looking for in a Gladiator, there's one thing that is certain, and that's that it can do what you need it to and more. Come on by to Jarrett to see our stock of Gladiator trucks!