2020 Jeep Gladiator Review

　　

2020 Jeep Gladiator Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　The introduction of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator gives midsize-truck shoppers an intriguing new option to consider. Simply put, the Gladiator is a four-door Wrangler Unlimited with an extended wheelbase and a 5-foot cargo bed instead of the normal cargo area. This Wrangler DNA promises to give the Gladiator off-road performance that no other truck can match.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$198/mo  for Gladiator Sport

　　Gladiator Sport

　　Sport 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $33,545 MSRPSport S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $36,745 MSRPOverland 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $40,395 MSRPRubicon 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) (Most Popular) - $43,875 MSRPMojave 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $43,875 MSRPNorth Edition 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $45,720 MSRP

　　vs

　　$218/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　There's plenty of towing and hauling capability here, too. When appropriately equipped, the Gladiator can tow a class-leading 7,650 pounds. The cargo bed is only available in a 5-foot-long configuration, but it's easy to access and has some useful features such as a special tailgate position that enables you to haul 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood.

　　A Rubicon version is available, just like on the Wrangler. Features such as lockable front and rear differentials, standard 33-inch all-terrain tires and a disconnectable front stabilizer bar give the Gladiator Rubicon the ability to traverse difficult terrain with ease. There's also a Mojave variant with an extra inch of front suspension lift, a high-speed transfer case and other special features that help you drive across dirt and sand in a hurry. But even if you're just cruising around town, you can have fun with the Gladiator's removable top and doors. It's the only convertible pickup on the market.

　　There are a few downsides. The Wrangler-based underpinnings that give the Gladiator its off-road prowess are a detriment for driving on the street and result in vague steering and a sometimes jiggly and wandering ride quality. Also, the Gladiator can end up getting significantly more expensive than its rivals when you start adding a bunch of options. Overall, however, we're quite fond of the Gladiator and think it's a great pick for a truck that delivers off-road capability, cargo hauling and fun all in one.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Gladiator drive? The Rubicon benefits from a well-matched engine and transmission combination, and it has no equal when the pavement turns to dirt. Pavement performance is compromised by the same giant tires and solid front axle that make it excel off-road, but the chassis is nevertheless nicely optimized around these necessary limitations.

　　Previous Wrangler owners will find the ride and handling better than ever, while first-time buyers will notice the unsettled steering over uneven and bumpy terrain and lack of precision in the steering. It still tracks nicely through corners, though crosswinds and road ruts demand some attention. Overall, though, it's not as bad as the shorter-wheelbase Wrangler.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Gladiator? We didn't expect it, but the Gladiator is mostly comfortable. There's no getting around the fact that its heavy solid-axle front suspension compromises ride comfort by transmitting some wiggle and jiggle over chattery pavement and lumpy asphalt into the cabin. After that, however, things brighten considerably thanks to supportive seats and a powerful climate control system with vents for rear passengers. Compared to the Wrangler, it also has a reasonably quiet cabin thanks to new tires and a less boomy interior.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Gladiator features logical and intuitive instruments and controls that are close at hand thanks to the classic vertical dash. Programmable accessory switches make it a cinch to install aftermarket equipment. The classic Jeep driving position works well here, and the superior backseat space is a real advantage compared to rivals. The Gladiator is tall and difficult to climb into, but there are ample grab handles and wide-opening doors to ease the process. And did we mention it's a convertible?

　　Visibility out of the front and rear is excellent, and drivers can easily place their tires where they need to go. A standard rearview camera can be paired with an optional forward-looking one meant for crawling off-road.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The infotainment setup gives the Gladiator a leg up against its competition because it is attractive, simple and capable. The sound system produces a crisp sound, and the optional 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen navigation-audio system offers sharp graphics and a quick response. It's all easy to control with a logical mixture of fixed buttons, knobs and touchscreen controls.

　　Safety equipment is increased as well, as the Gladiator gets a new automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control option combo that not only works well but is also compatible with accessories that off-roaders want to add. It even works with the front windshield folded down!

　　

Towing and Storage

7.0/10

　　How are the towing and storage? The Gladiator excels compared to rivals with a strong tow rating (even the Rubicon) and ample payload capacity. Its bed is thoughtfully designed, with low bedsides and a power-locking rear tailgate, and the rear seat's volume and folding strategy make it good for cargo and child seats alike. Its main weak point is a lack of small-item storage nooks for road trips.

　　A tow package-equipped Sport S model can handle up to 7,650 pounds, but even the Rubicon can take on a 7,000-pound trailer. If you're a frequent trailer tower, consider adding aftermarket tow mirrors since the Gladiator's narrow body means you won't be able to look past a wide load with the stock mirrors.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Just by looking at its blocky styling, you can tell the Gladiator isn't intended to be a fuel economy champ. Rated at an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined (17 city/22 highway) with the automatic transmission, the Gladiator trails all others in the segment. It's one of the least efficient midsize trucks on the market.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Gladiator a good value? The Gladiator is nicely built. And if the Wrangler is any judge, it'll have great resale value. But the Gladiator is thirstier than most in its class, and it is expensive. A manual transmission is standard across the board, which is great if you want one but hides the fact that you'll pay $2,000 out of the gate to get an automatic before you add any real options. Warranty coverage is decidedly average.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　It's a Jeep Wrangler pickup. Need we say more? Yes, you give up some off-road capability when you go from a four-door Wrangler to this. But if you start from the point of view of "I need a truck," this one oozes outdoor fun and Jeep personality. Jeep really did it right.

　　

Which Gladiator does zzdcar recommend?

There are two ideal configurations for the Gladiator: one for hauling and one for off-roading. Go with a Gladiator Sport S and the optional heavy-duty tow package for segment-leading towing and cargo-hauling capability. Alternately, the Gladiator Rubicon, with its specialized hardware, will let you tackle the toughest of terrain.

　　

2020 Jeep Gladiator models

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a five-passenger, four-door midsize truck. It's available in four trim levels — Sport, Sport S, Overland, Rubicon and Mojave — that provide increasing levels of comfort, convenience and off-road capability.

　　All come with a 5-foot cargo bed, a four-wheel-drive system and a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and an eight-speed automatic is optional.

　　The Gladiator's Sport trim is equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, all-season tires, crank windows, manual door locks and mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, an eight-speaker audio system, a 5-inch central display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and voice control capability.

　　The Gladiator also comes with a convertible folding soft top, removable doors and a fold-down front windshield. A Class II bumper hitch with a 4,500-pound tow capacity, anti-sway trailer control, and a combination four-and-seven-pin trailer plug is standard.

　　Jeep also offers a Sport S trim level that adds the most common power and luxury features to the Sport, such as alloy wheels, power windows, power door and tailgate locks, heated power mirrors, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　Both trims allow for certain options and packages to increase towing and hauling capability. These include the Trailer Tow package and the more capable Max Tow package (includes 4.10 axle ratios).

　　Opting for the Sport S opens up availability to more options. The Technology Group package is worth getting and includes a 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and automatic climate control. Other notable picks include the Cargo Group package (a rail-based cargo management system and a 115-volt power outlet in the bed) and the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages that append a variety of advanced driver safety aids.

　　The Overland model dresses up a Sport S with style and function features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, body-color wheel arches, side steps, and tinted rear side and rear windows. Additional standard features include automatic headlights, LED ambient footwell lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the 7-inch infotainment system (with additional USB ports for the rear passengers), and a 110-volt outlet in the center console.

　　The Rubicon trim provides more off-road capability with a different transfer case that provides a lower crawl ratio for better climbing and crawling, fenders with increased clearance to accommodate larger 33-inch all-terrain tires, locking front and rear differentials, an electronically disconnectable front stabilizer bar, Fox shock absorbers, and body-protecting rock rails and skid plates.

　　Finally, there's the Mojave. It's similar to the Rubicon but lacks the Rubicon's locking front differential and disconnecting sway bar made for rock crawling. Instead there's gear focused on desert-running. One of the Mojave's advantages is the flexibility offered by its transfer case, which enables low-range gear use at higher speeds than the Rubicon. Jeep also reinforced the frame, developed unique Fox internal bypass shocks with hydraulic jounce bumpers to cushion impacts, and lifted the front end by 1 inch. It is also the first Jeep to wear a Desert Rated badge on its flank.

　　All trims can be equipped with a premium sound system with a nine-channel 552-watt amp and subwoofer, an auxiliary switch group that lets owners wire up to four electrical devices to customizable switches inside the cabin, a spray-in bedliner, a semi-rigid roll-up tonneau cover, a black hardtop with removable roof panels, and a premium soft top made of a thicker material that offers more insulation than the standard top. Overland and Rubicon models can get their hardtops painted in body color.

　　Additional notable options for the Gladiator, depending on the trim level, include a three-piece hardtop roof, a premium soft-top roof, a spray-in bedliner, a tonneau cover, LED headlights, a larger 8.4-inch infotainment display, leather seating surfaces, a premium Alpine sound system, and a detachable wireless (Bluetooth-based) speaker.

　　zzdcar Latest Jeep Gladiator News

　　You Can Now Order a 2-Door Jeep Wrangler With 35-Inch Tires

　　

2020 Gladiator Highlights

Trim: SportSport SOverlandRubiconMojaveNorth EditionSport

　　

Base MSRP	$33,545
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$198/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	7,650 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles