Jeep is among the oldest car brands in America. It has produced several outstanding SUVs over the years, and the Jeep Gladiator is one of them. But is the Jeep Gladiator a good car?
Yes, the Jeep Gladiator is an excellent off-road machine. Not only is this rugged SUV spacious, but it is also powerful, comfortable, and with great towing and hauling ability. Since it’s big than a Jeep Wrangler, it makes a perfect off-road SUV for a family.
Jeep Gladiator may boast several exceptional features, but it also comes with lots of issues that interested buyers should know about. For instance, the latest Jeep Gladiator is associated with the engine, suspension, transmission, and powertrain problems.
All in all, it is still an excellent car but not ideal for those looking for a high-performance off-roader. Besides, it’s slightly costlier than its competitors like the Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado.
History of the Jeep Gladiator
Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pickup truck produced by Jeep. The original Jeep Gladiator was produced between 1962 and 1988. On the contrary, the latest Jeep Gladiator started production in 2019 to date. Regardless, both cars are well made and suitable for off-road driving and not on-road driving.
Astonishingly, the Jeep Gladiator was referred to as J-Series in 1971. Additionally, Jeep thought of reviving the Gladiator name alongside Comanche and most commonly scrambler. Nonetheless, they decided to settle with Gladiator.
The Jeep Gladiator comes with several variants and some of them include Sport, Sport-S, Overland, Mojave, and Rubicon. The base trim is Sport, while the most advanced trim is High Altitude, followed by Rubicon and Mojave.
Features of the Jeep Gladiator
Appearance
The latest Jeep Gladiator looks more striking and appealing than the older model. Unlike the older model that only had two doors, this one comes with four doors. Additionally, it seats up to five people, instead of two like the previous generation.
The Jeep Gladiator looks durable and powerful, but it does not feature a high-end interior like that of its competitors like the Ford Ranger or GMC Canyon. Nonetheless, the interior is still good with lots of exceptional features. It is also spacious and has a large trunk area.
Performance
If you want a powerful off-road SUV, the Jeep Gladiator is an excellent choice. But if you’re looking for an outstanding on-drive SUV, this car performs poorly. Nevertheless, you have the option to select from the various trims that Jeep offers.
The base trim is the Gladiator Sport 4X4 and it comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces a maximum of 285hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. While the high-end trim is the Gladiator High Altitude. Other popular trims are Mojave, Overland, Willys, and Rubicon.
Comfort and cargo space
The Jeep Gladiator is a big car. Therefore, it is very comfortable and spacious. However, it is a five-seater with four doors. So, if you’re a family and desire a reliable car for off-road driving, this is a nice choice. Additionally, it comes with ample cargo space that will fit your luggage as you head outdoors or on a trip.
Fuel-efficiency
Even though most Jeep models are fuel-efficient, the Jeep Gladiator is not fuel-efficient. This is because it has an EPA rating of 16 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and a combined 19 mpg. Nonetheless, if you compare this to its competitors, you will find that it’s quite more efficient.
Price
It depends on which Jeep Gladiator you’re looking for. If you want a used 1988 Jeep Gladiator, the price ranges from $5,000 to $20,000. However, if you want to buy the latest Jeep Gladiators made from 2020 to date, you will have to part with at least $35,000. Nonetheless, this is still quite high compared to its rivals.
FAQ
How reliable is the Jeep Gladiator?
The Jeep Gladiator is a very reliable car. Most reliability agencies rate it above-average reliability. Both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports have above-average reliability. However, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator comes with lots of problems and interested buyers should be on the lookout.
What is the high mileage for the Jeep Gladiator?
The high mileage for a Jeep Gladiator is about 150,000 miles. The older Jeep Gladiators used to hold up well when maintained properly. Some even clocked over 200,000 miles before having serious issues. The latest Jeep Gladiator hasn’t been on the market for long to know how well they hold up.
What are the common problems with the Jeep Gladiator?
The older Jeep Gladiators were quite reliable but they are hard to find on the market. On the contrary, the latest models have several issues, which include defective driveshaft, steering wheel issues, powertrain problems, transmission problems, engine stalling when idling, and much more.
Most of these problems can be found in the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. And since this latest Jeep Gladiator has not been on the market for long, it is still not clear whether it has more issues or not.
How fast is the Jeep Gladiator?
If you’re looking for a fast off-roader, Jeep Gladiator should be one of the last vehicles to consider. This is because it is not very fast. The Jeep Gladiator can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. On top of that, it has a top speed of 97 mph, which is quite low compared to most of its rivals.
Is Jeep Gladiator cheap to maintain?
No, Jeep Gladiator is neither cheap nor expensive to maintain. This is because it has an average maintenance cost of about $630, which is almost the same as the industry average. Nonetheless, Jeep spare parts and the cost of maintenance are affordable, making it somewhat cheaper to maintain.
Summary
Generally, the Jeep Gladiator is an excellent car. It has a spacious and comfortable interior, fantastic towing capability, an easy-to-use touchscreen, and outstanding off-road capabilities. Nevertheless, this car also comes with several issues like engine problems, transmission issues, and suspension challenges.
Despite the latest generation of Jeep Gladiator having several issues, it is still a fantastic car for off-roading driving. It is also more reliable than most of its competitors, and it is cheaper to maintain. Nonetheless, its initial price should be revised as it’s reasonably high.
