CR.ORG/CARS NEW CARS 15JEEP IS EXPANDING its lineup
by adding the Gladiator, a pickup
truck version of its popular
Wrangler SUV.
The formula is quite simple:
Stretch the wheelbase, add
a 5-foot truck bed, and improve
the rear suspension—but leave
the brand’s ruggedness, styling,
and simplicity intact.
The Gladiator disrupts the
midsized-truck class with some
key advantages, such as a
removable top and doors, and
the allure of the Jeep brand.
We’re in the middle of putting
the new Gladiator through
our tests, and we’ll have a full
verdict soon. For now, these
are our initial thoughts.WHAT WE LIKE ... SO FAR
The powertrain is a standout
element: The 285-hp V
engine and eight-speed auto-
matic transmission work well
together, as they do on the
Wrangler SUV.
There’s strong power, swift
acceleration, and smooth,
quick shifts. And the Gladiator
has an impressive 7,650-pound
towing capability.
The Gladiator rides better
than the Wrangler, thanks
in part to its 19-inch-longer
wheelbase. The real trick here
is that Jeep adapted the
Ram 1500’s rear coil-spring
suspension, resulting in
a considerably more refined
ride than in most other
pickup trucks.
The dashboard here mirrors
the Wrangler’s, complete with
rugged-looking knobs and
switches. The automatic gear
selector is topped with the
silhouette of a classic WWII-era
Jeep—a nice touch.
The rear seat is roomy for
this class. The interior space
clearly benefits from the
Gladiator being a Wrangler
from the bed forward. The rear
seatback is upright, but there’s
plenty of headroom and
legroom for adults. Air vents,power ports, and cup holders
help make the backseat comfort-
able for passengers. The rear
seat folds up and flat to create
storage flexibility.WHAT WE DON’T
Handling is a different matter.
The steering feels loose, which
makes driving feel imprecise
and requires hefty twirling to
get the truck to turn. (These
same steering characteristics
prove to be well-suited to off-
roading, where they can isolate
the vibrations and impacts you
might otherwise feel.)
Even with the optional
hardtop headliner, there’s no
hiding the fact that this is a
loud vehicle, particularly with
wind noise on the highway.
The Gladiator’s front roof
panels can be removed easily
to provide an open-air driving
experience, but—unlike
the Wrangler—there’s no place
inside the vehicle to store them
when they’re off, and the
vehicle remains open when
parked. A soft top version
is also available.
Advanced safety and driverJeep Gladiator
A pickup truck for Jeep purists is also pretty practical.
assist features are optional,
and include forward collision
warning (FCW), automatic
emergency braking (AEB),
blind spot warning (BSW), rear
cross traffic warning (RCTW),
and adaptive cruise control.
It’s unusual that these features
aren’t standard on any trim.THE BOTTOM LINE
More than a mere Wrangler
variation, this all-new
midsized truck competitor
shines with its attitude, power,
backseat space, and ride
comfort. Plus, the Rubicon
version is set up for some
serious off-roading.Model 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport Price $46,
Engine 285-hp, 3.6-liter V6 Transmission 8-speed
automatic Drive wheels Four-wheel driveWHAT WE
BOUGHT