For most people, there’s a very specific connotation that comes with the Jeep brand. These are off-road-ready vehicles that were born out of the necessities of World War II, and have since developed into some of the most iconic autos out there. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Jeeps were fundamental in the creation of SUVs as a vehicle class—both through the original Willys, as well as the introduction of later models.
While Jeep is best-known for SUVs, this is part of what makes the Jeep Gladiator so special: It’s not one. Instead of featuring a closed rear, the Jeep Gladiator offers drivers a truck bed. Though this isn’t the first time Jeep has offered a truck model, before 2020, there hadn’t been a new production Jeep truck made in decades.
For many Jeep fans, the allure of a Jeep truck will be enough to warrant a buy. But there are also those who want to do more cross-brand comparison. After all, there are plenty of trucks out there on the market—what distinguishes the Jeep Gladiator? The answers are in our Jeep Gladiator Buyer’s Guide.
Key Specs of the Jeep Gladiator
When looking at any new vehicle, it’s important to have a firm grasp on the specs. This is particularly true if you’re purchasing a truck or SUV that you expect to come with a certain level of performance capability. These are some of the most crucial specs for the Jeep Gladiator:
- Towing Capacity – 4,000-6,000 pounds for most trim lines, with up to 7,650 pounds when properly equipped. These are solid numbers for a mid-sized truck. It’s worth noting, however, that this is extremely good for a mid-sized SUV or off-road-focused vehicle. Those who want a straight work vehicle might want to look at a larger truck model. But for those looking to fulfill hybrid or adventure-based wants, the Gladiator offers plenty of towing power.
- Payload Capacity – Up to 1,700 pound of bed payload is a best-in-class feature of the Jeep Gladiator, along with its towing capacity when properly equipped. This makes the Jeep Gladiator a warrior vehicle for those who want to get the most out of it.
- Bed Size – 60.3 inches, which is short for a truck. But again, the Jeep Gladiator sort of sits between the worlds of truck and SUV. Having that bed space can be remarkably helpful for utility purposes. Though, it’s likely not going to cut it for those who are using their truck bed to haul large items all the time. Again, this comes down to the Jeep Gladiator being a truly unique vehicle, which is ideal for certain things, but not for others.
- Top Options – Four top options for the Jeep Gladiator, including no top, zipper less soft top, black hard top, and body-color hard top. This lets you get exactly the top variety you want for your Gladiator.
Now that you’ve seen some of the main specs of the Jeep Gladiator, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of purchasing one.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Jeep Gladiator
As with all things in life, there are positives and negatives to opting for a Jeep Gladiator. Overall, this is a highly desirable vehicle for many across a variety of uses. Here are a few of the pros of buying a Jeep Gladiator:
- Has the “cool” factor of a Jeep with the drivability and comfort of an SUV, but comes with the utility features of a truck
- Incredible off-roading capabilities
- There is no other pickup truck that offers open- and soft-top options
Let’s be balanced and also review some of the things that drivers might consider drawbacks about the model:
- Not as good at handling on streets as a typical SUV due to truck design and focus on adventure performance
- Doesn’t match the performance of many pure-play trucks, though the Gladiator comes at a more reasonable price point than most, and fills a different niche
Overall, there’s a lot to love about the Jeep Gladiator. But there’s only one way to know for sure if a Jeep Gladiator is right for you: Take it for a test drive.
