NOVEMBER 2019 jpmagazine.com
I was concerned that driving the Gladiator
would feel like settling for mediocre
capabilities in between the Wrangler and
Power Wagon. It did not. The Gladiator
made her own place and name. After 1,000
miles and five days behind the wheel,
I came to the amazing conclusion that
I didn’t even notice how comfortable I
was all week. Sparrow had served as my
overlanding rig with seamless grace and
ease. Like a perfectly attentive butler ready
Pros and Cons of the Power Wagon, Wrangler Rubicon,
and Gladiator Rubicon—As They Function in My WorldVEHICLE PROS CONS
Power Wagon • Hauling and towing capacity • Fuel economy- Aerodynamics and road noise • Real estate—least maneuverable
(fewer windshield replacements) of the three - Max comfort
Wrangler • Shortest wheelbase of the three = • Less cargo space and load carrying
most mobility, biggest clearance capacity—“light duty”- Enclosed cargo area • Least comfortable due to shorter
wheelbase ride and less total space
Gladiator • More hauling and towing than • Af termarket parts—since the back
the Wrangler half of the Gladiator is different than- Better fuel economy than the anything else out there, options for
Power Wagon (much better) bumpers, shocks, suspension, camper
tops, and bed systems will take a while
to hit the market
to provide whatever assistance you might
require for your adventure, it seemed like
everything fit perfectly, worked together
perfectly, and even provided a few things I
loved and didn’t know I needed. Adaptive
cruise control, front camera, select speed
c ontrol, O f f- Road Plus—all features not
found on any of the other rigs in this
comparison, except the Gladiator.
W ill there b e more Gladiator s in the
Barlow fleet? Oh, yes.9
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