Back in the 2020 model year, the folks at Jeep took the automotive world by storm with the introduction Gladiator, a flat-bed pickup truck with the off-road attitude and branding of Jeep. Gladiators’ arrival qualified as anything but a surprise as Jeep dropped can’t-miss hints for several years of its impending arrival.
A pickup design with Jeep branding has been toyed with in past times, most recently with the Comanche designate last sold in 1992 but never with this much investment and marketing muscle behind the project. In the past five years, the mid-size five-seat Gladiator carved out a niche market of enthusiastic devotees with 2023 sales reaching 55,188.
The world looks different within Gladiator’s short five year existence. Covid-19 arrived reminding the world that global pandemics still exist and threw a wrench into the global supply chain. The Jeep brand, once the property of Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) now welcomes Stellantis as its parent overlord.
The four-wheel drive Gladiator sports unique opportunities not available in other mid-size rivals including a completely removable roof welcoming an open-air experience. As with Jeep’s compact off-road Wrangler SUV, removeable side doors are available allowing natural air conditioning to whiz by. Oh, and by the way, the front windshield folds down if needed. Gladiator’s workman-like body-on-frame design provides superior payload (up to 1,725 pounds) and towing ratings (up to 7,700 pounds). It’s not just another pretty face, Gladiator’s got spunk.
The mid-size exoskeleton-like Gladiator fills another important niche for parent company Stellantis as its RAM truck division still remains void of a mid-size opportunity (or a compact selection for that matter) with a lazar focus and full-size pickups and work vans.
Since its inception, Gladiator’s been driven by a well-tested 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 powertrain cranking out 285 horsepower utilized in other Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram (CDJR) family members including the Chrysler Pacifica Minivan and RAM 1500 pickup. It’s 22-gallon contents ingesting regular, 87-octane fuel.
Engine start/stop (ESS) technology comes standard, quieting the engine at prolonged stops to conserve fuel and works in relative silence compared with many other similar systems. That said, our paltry 17 miles city and 22 mpg highway estimates rank relatively low in the mid-size truck category.
Gladiator and Toyota’s Tacoma pickup rate as the sole mid-size bodies offering a driver-engaged six-speed manual transmission. Most Gladiator sales occur with the traditional and optional ($2,500) eight-speed automatic.
A fuel extending 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine joined as a secondary option (for an extra $4,000) on loan from the RAM truck division, but fades away in 2024. This marked yet another loosely guarded not-so-secret secret and follows an industry trend as Ford, Ram and GM scale back diesel availability in compact and mid-size pickup.
The epic charge to an electrified future also factors into Gladiator a-la-diesel’s early retirement. No immediate word yet concerning Gladiator’s future plug-in strategies, but Jeep in June of 2024 unveiled an all-electric version of the luxury-appointed five-door Jeep Wagoneer promising a range of more than 300 miles between recharging. It’s the brand’s first all-electric attempt with dealer shipments expected by fall of 2024.
Gladiator may consider taking inspiration from the compact Wrangler’s success into electrification as its plug-in hybrid edition (PHEV) ranked as the industry’s best-selling PHEV in the U.S. during the 2023 calendar year. A Gladiator PHEV makes an intriguing case study.
Expect a plethora of updates in 2024. Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille receives a design rework, and all trims now include side curtain airbags covering the first and second rows. A supersized 12.3-inch, landscape, multifunction center screen with the latest Uconnect 5 software is now onboard all trims developed in tandem with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available 12-way adjustable front seats. The cute whip radio antenna now fades into insignificance and integrates into the windshield.
Tailgates burst fourth a touch of elegance as all trims include a tempered, gentle drop down effect eliminating the annoying ‘thud drop’ common in less mannered pickups. Our trim included the optional ($625) black, tri-fold soft, tonneau cover securing items inside the bed out of sight of prying eyes. While full-size pickups offer multiple bed lengths, Gladiator’s include a suitable 5.5-foot cargo bed standard. Four standard-sized side doors adorn the sides.
Three different removable roof designs include one soft top and two hard tops (one black, the other body colored). Our tester’s optional (and recommended), hard-top, three panel design ($1,595) lifted effortlessly within minutes thanks in part to manually-operated hook tabs un-connecting the roof from the frame. Nine exterior colors include a new Anvil hue.
Our Mojave tester included the largest ground clearance of any trim at 11.6 inches. It’s a healthy heave in and out with no lower running board side rails. Molded grab pillars built into the A and B pillars assist greatly as does a dash-grab bar benefiting front passengers. Not a comfortable fit for the mobility challenged.
While headlights return with a circular theme, rear taillights take a definitive square vibe flanking the tailgate. Dune-ready side-view mirrors also utilize the same approximate-size square, smaller than many competitors, but just as responsive. The hood’s artsy black air vent brings style to the canvas, but little functionality. Bold strap-like door handles drape in black too with enough clearance for the thickest work glove or wintertime parka hand accessory.
Four 4x4 designs include most trims opting for the tried, true and tested part-time Command Trac transfer case when manually negotiating a floor-bound shifter between two-wheel high, four-wheel high and low-speed four-low (must shift into neutral before selecting four-low). The Rubicon trim boasts two transfer case Rock-Trac selections (full or part time) while Sport and Mojave offer the optional full-time Select Trac.
Seven 2024 trims include two all-new opportunities: Mojave X and Rubicon X joining Sport, Sport S, Willys, Mojave and Rubicon. Pricing starts at $37,895 for a Sport trim. The seven available trims reflect a growth spurt as only four adorned 2020 model year Gladiators.
For 2024, base Sport trims include an available noir-themed NightHawk appearance package ($5,295) with 20-inch black gloss aluminum wheels, black bumper accents, rock rails and deep-tint sunscreen windows. Our Mojave tester with silver Zynith clear coat paint ($595) checked in at $51,395. Pricing quickly elevates no matter the trim selected compliments of a wide assortment of available temptations. After succumbing to said temptations and swallowing the $1,895 destination charge, the bottom line ended at $66,810.
Tempting, notable extras included a $2,295 technology group (GPS in-dash navigation, premium audio system, forward-facing trail cam); $1,095 for heated steering wheel/front seats, $55 spray-in bed liner and an assortment of dealer add ons.
Mojave and Mojave X trims stand taller standing thanks to FOX 2.5-inch bypass shocks and one-inch higher front suspension; it’s quite easy to see these mechanical extras between the tires and body. Heavy duty solid rear axles are home to 22-inch all terrain tires. Orange accents and tow hooks adorn front and back bumpers. Inside, sport seats include bolsters.
The electronic, dashboard located push-start/stop button includes the words ‘Off’ or ‘Run’ or ‘ACC’ (for accessory) with amber illumination alerting pilots of the current state of engine activity (nice touch). The revamped-for-2024 instrument panel reflects old school easy-glance thinking with a small digital center screen illuminating digital speed among other nuggets flanked by two analog circular gauges including the right-side conventional speedometer and left side tachometer.
The Uconnect 5 system employees the industry’s best secondary steering wheel controls with finger-tip managed toggle-like buttons on the wheel’s behind side making volume and station selections simple. Both USB A and C ports stand ready for duty connecting portable devices with UConnect5. A new seven-microphone array joins Uconnect5 enhancing voice recognition. The 12.3-inch touch screen includes bright icons and takes little time to master.
Gladiator includes multiple ways to adjust climate controls: either directly from the touchscreen or my preferred method, twisting the large, circular, center dial below the screen to adjust fan speed. Temperatures controls from blue/red buttons framing the screen’s side while direction selects from a nearby push button. Flanking the central dials; a left-side volume and right-side selection orb. It’s not unusual to increase the volume, and instead send fan speed higher. Happy accidents easily sidestepped with practice.
Removable side doors build in an added benefit of extra light weights, easing opening and closing efforts. Three fully-grown, full-sized adults enjoy ample head room in row two thanks to the pickups flat, non-curved roof line with leg room a bit tight. Unlike most crossover vehicles, seat backs don’t fold down when extra cargo flexibility is called upon, instead, the script flips and seat cushions shine by flipping upward and gently kissing the backrest when such encounters receive approval. Shallow storage bins reside under the cushions and with locking potential in many trims, representing the usable opportunity in a vehicle with minimal nooks and sizeable door pockets.
Mojave specifically and Gladiator in general build for rugged multi-level terrain and drive like the trucks they are. When on road, expect some bounce in its step and body sway along the way, along with audible grunts reflecting the underpinnings of the work-ready body-on-frame DNA.
All 2024 model year Jeeps automatically enroll in Jeep Wave, a perky two-year owner loyalty program. The first two oil changes and tire rotation get covered free of charge from any participating Jeep Dealer. All Jeep Wave enrollies gain access to a super-secret phone line (844) JEEP WAVE if questions arise concerning the Gladiator. Also, 24-hour roadside assistance cobbles together as part of the five-year/60,000-mile warranty coverage. Access to promotions and live Jeep-themed events round out the wavy wave.
The ‘Wave’ references an unofficial, not-so-secretive polite hand gesture exchanged when passing another Jeep vehicle (usually from the opposite direction) on-or-off road. No precise choreographed movement needs rote memorization, just an acknowledgement exposing four or five fingers (two-fingered peace sign also accepted) accompanied by a wrist twist. Whenever Jeeps arrive for evaluation, It’s a gentle reminder brushing up Jeep etiquette remains close at hand.
2024 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
Price as tested: $66,810
Engine: 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar
Horsepower: 285
Wheelbase: 137.3 inches
Length: 218 inches
Height: 73.1 inches
Width: 73.8 inches
Curb weight: 5,004 pounds
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city/ 22 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000 miles
Assembly: Toledo, Ohio