2021 Jeep Gladiator Review

　　

2021 Jeep Gladiator Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Look! Up there on the ridge. It's a truck! No, it's a Jeep. Wait, no, it's both. The Jeep Gladiator is classified as a midsize pickup, but it's certainly not your typical truck. It's probably easier to think of it as a longer four-door Wrangler with a 5-foot cargo bed in place of the traditional cargo area. As such, the Gladiator isn't quite as capable in the wilderness as a Wrangler. Nor is it as maximally utilitarian as some other midsize trucks. But it does get you a unique mix of the two.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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) - $34,040 MSRPWillys Sport 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $35,990 MSRPSport S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $37,440 MSRPCalifornia Edition 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $39,135 MSRPWillys 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $40,185 MSRPTexas Trail 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $40,435 MSRPFreedom 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $40,705 MSRPOverland 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $40,890 MSRP80th Anniversary Edition 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $42,235 MSRPRubicon 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) (Most Popular) - $44,320 MSRPMojave 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) - $44,320 MSRPHigh Altitude 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $51,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$218/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　The Jeep Gladiator enters its third year of production in 2021. Notable for this year is a new optional diesel engine. This 3.0-liter diesel V6 provides 260 horsepower and a stout 442 lb-ft of torque. More than just an extra powertrain choice, this addition gives the Gladiator even greater appeal if you're one for road-tripping or overlanding and want the most range possible out of your rig.

　　Is the 2021 Gladiator right for you? Read our Expert Rating below for our in-depth take on what's great and what's not so great about this distinctive midsize pickup.

　　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? We tested a Gladiator Rubicon with the V6 engine. Our test truck needed 8.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. That's a little slow for a midsize pickup, but it doesn't feel like it in everyday driving. The V6 is respectably strong and has no trouble getting you up to highway speeds. The automatic fires off quick and prompt shifts too.

　　The Gladiator Rubicon is a champ when the pavement turns to dirt. It has plenty of ground clearance and traction to see you through or over just about any obstacle. The Gladiator's longer wheelbase does make it a little less wieldy than a Wrangler on tight trails, but it's not that far off.

　　On-pavement handling is compromised by the same giant tires and solid front axle that make the Gladiator excel off-road. The steering lacks precision, and crosswinds and road ruts demand some attention. Overall, though, it's easier to drive than a Wrangler.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Gladiator? There's no getting around the fact that its heavy solid-axle front suspension compromises ride comfort. You'll feel the Gladiator wiggle and jiggle when you drive over lumpy asphalt. You'll also hear more wind and road noise than in other trucks. Beyond that, things brighten considerably. The seats are supportive, and the climate control system is powerful and has vents for rear passengers.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Gladiator has logically arranged controls that are easy to reach. The classic Jeep upright driving position works well here, and the superior backseat space is a real advantage over rival crew-cab pickups. The Gladiator Rubicon, which is the trim we tested, is tall and difficult to climb into, but ample grab handles and wide-opening doors 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 touchscreen has attractive graphics and quick response times. It's also easy to use thanks to a logical mixture of fixed buttons, knobs and touchscreen controls. Sound quality from the optional Alpine stereo is satisfactorily crisp. The Gladiator's available advanced driver aids work well too.

　　

Towing and Storage

8.5/10

　　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 tailgate. 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.

　　The rear seat's volume and folding strategy make it good for cargo and child seats alike. The Gladiator's main weak point is a lack of storage nooks for your personal items. The glove box and center console are small, and in-door storage is nothing more than a net pocket.

　　

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. The EPA estimates the Gladiator with the V6 and automatic transmission gets 19 mpg combined. That's on par with other six-cylinder-equipped midsize 4WD pickups.

　　Jeep doesn't offer a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine option, though the new diesel V6 is promising for maximizing fuel economy.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Gladiator a good value? The Gladiator is nicely built but expensive. A manual transmission is standard across the board, which is great if you want one but hides the fact that you'll pay around $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?

We recommend the Gladiator in the midlevel Overland trim. Beyond the bare-bones base Sport trim, it offers power windows and locks as well as a larger infotainment system, smartphone connectivity, and access to most of Jeep's optional features. But we certainly wouldn't blame buyers for gravitating toward the Rubicon and Mojave trim levels since they offer a uniquely high level of rock-crawling and desert-hopping capability.

　　

2021 Jeep Gladiator models

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator is a five-passenger, four-door midsize truck. It only comes in a crew-cab configuration that's available in four trim levels: Sport, Overland, Rubicon and Mojave. All come with a 5-foot cargo bed and four-wheel drive.

　　A choice of two engines is available. They are:

　　A 3.6-liter V6 (285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque) A diesel-powered turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (260 hp, 442 lb-ft)A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 3.6-liter engine, and an eight-speed automatic is optional. The diesel comes exclusively with an eight-speed automatic. The diesel isn't available on the range-topping Mojave, but all other engine-transmission combos are available across the Gladiator lineup.

　　The Gladiator's base trim, the Sport, is equipped with:

　　Crank windows, manual door locks and manually adjustable mirrors Manually adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Cruise control Eight-speaker audio system 5-inch central display One USB port and voice control capabilityOther standard Gladiator equipment includes:

　　Folding soft top Removable doors Fold-down front windshieldSeveral packages are available for the Sport, including the Willys Sport, the Sport S, the Willys and the 80th Anniversary Edition. They offer a variety of aesthetic touches on the exterior of the Gladiator along with various upgrades to the Jeep's interior tech, breaking up most of the features that come standard on the Overland.

　　The Overland adds to the Sport's standard features with:

　　Automatic headlights Power windows Power door and tailgate locks Heated power mirrors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror 7-inch central display with a newer infotainment interface Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Two USB ports Automatic climate control Leather-wrapped steering wheelThe Rubicon trim provides more off-road capability with standard features such as:

　　4.10 rear axle ratio for increased towing and off-road capability 33-inch all-terrain tires Fenders with increased clearance Locking front and rear differentials Electronically disconnectable front stabilizer bar Fox shock absorbers Body-protecting rock rails and skid plates Special two-speed transfer case for better off-road gearing Finally, there's the Mojave. It's similar to the Rubicon but lacks the locking front differential and disconnecting stabilizer bar. Instead, it's designed for higher-speed off-road driving with:

　　Reinforced frame Transfer case tuned to run four-wheel drive at higher speeds Fox internal bypass shock absorbers with hydraulic jounce bumpers 1-inch lift for the front suspension Desert Rated badge (instead of Trail Rated)All trims can be equipped with a variety of options including:

　　Auxiliary switch group for wiring up to four electrical devices Spray-in bedliner and a semi-rigid roll-up tonneau cover Black hardtop with removable roof panels or a premium soft topAdditional notable options for the Gladiator, available as stand-alone items or in packages, include:

　　LED headlights Larger 8.4-inch infotainment display Leather seating surfaces Premium Alpine sound system Class IV tow hitchAvailable driver safety aids include:

　　Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear parking sensors Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Gladiator and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

　　zzdcar Latest Jeep Gladiator News

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

　　

2021 Gladiator Highlights

Trim: SportWillys SportSport SCalifornia EditionWillysTexas TrailFreedomOverland80th Anniversary EditionMojaveRubiconHigh AltitudeSport

　　

Base MSRP	$34,040
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$198/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	4,000 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles