The last time Jeep offered a truck in its lineup was over 26 years ago. Needless to say the arrival of the Gladiator during the second quarter of 2019 is sure to turn quite a few heads and cause a commotion. Hotly anticipated and purported to combine the off-roading abilities that the brand is known for with the expected functions of a midsize pickup, the Gladiator appears to be ramping up to be a success before its official arrival. Weekend warriors and commuters unite! We’ll provide an in-depth review once we meet the Gladiator face to face, but for the time being here’s what you need to know!
History
For months on end, enthusiasts speculated about what Jeep would name this vehicle, floating around names like “Scrambler” or “Comanche” as nods to previous vehicles in its line-up. The Gladiator debuted at the 2018 LA Auto Show and its moniker is borrowed from a full-size pickup truck that Jeep manufactured from 1962 to 1988. The old Gladiator survived the brand’s numerous transitions from Willys, Kaizer, American Motors, and Chrysler ownership.
Diesel
Standard on the Gladiator is a 3.6-liter V6 engine capable of generating 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The engine can be paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel-drive. Towing capacity is 7,650 pounds with a payload of 1,600 pounds. A new diesel engine with more than 440 lb-ft of torque will make its way under the hood of the Gladiator in 2020.
Trail-Rated
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the obligatory Trail-Rated badge on the front quarter panel. The Gladiator has aggressive approach angles and ample ground clearance, as well as Dana 44 axles – favorites among off-roaders. The Gladiator Rubicon is slated to be the new off-road king of pickups with its standard 35-inch off-road tires, Fox off-road shock absorbers, electronic-locking front and rear differentials, and an electronically-disconnecting front sway bar.
Trims
The Gladiator comes in four trims: Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon. Standard on the Sport trim is a 5-inch infotainment screen with the latest Uconnect feature, USB ports, a backup camera, Bluetooth hands-free calling with voice command, and Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto capabilities. The Sport S trim adds the availability of certain options packages such as the Cold Weather Group and offers a larger Uconnect infotainment touchscreen display.
The Overland trim offers much more luxury thanks to its leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift-knob, a wall-style 115-volt power outlet, and a 7-inch touchscreen display. Heated seats and leather upholstery are both available for those willing to option up. Both the Overland and Rubicon trims also offer an optional 8.4-inch touchscreen display, while the Rubicon alone adds special cameras on all four sides so that Jeepers can monitor the trail. The front trail camera even has an integrated washer so that off-roaders always know what lies ahead.
Follow Miami Lakes Jeep on social media to stay up to date with the latest Jeep Gladiator news – and to know when the pickup rolls across our lot so that you can finally take that test drive!