The 2020 model year was the first for the Jeep Gladiator. The all-new Gladiator marks Jeep’s return to the world of pickup trucks. From the 1940s to the 1980s, Jeep made a number of popular pickups, including the Comanche.
The new Gladiator borrows its name from one of those vintage trucks, but it’s actually based on the Wrangler. Like the Wrangler and unlike all other pickups on the market, the Gladiator’s doors and top can be removed. The windshield can even be folded down. The Gladiator successfully marries the functionality of a Jeep with that of a pickup for a truly unique driving experience.
Price and Value
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator packs a lot of value into a compact pickup truck. It’s a unique vehicle that’s as comfortable driving off-road as it is on. Most of all, the Gladiator is designed for people who truly love to drive trucks. Although it looks like nothing else on the market, the Gladiator is not a novelty vehicle. The 2020 Gladiator has made a big splash in the marketplace because it so successfully combines fun with practicality.
The 2020 Gladiator does everything that a compact truck should do with the addition of features normally only found in Jeeps. It’s a powerful truck with a distinctive look and truly one-of-a-kind features, including 33-inch wheels. Jeep enthusiasts have been craving a Wrangler-style vehicle with a bed for a long time, and the Gladiator delivers that and more. As far as price, this truck starts out at $33,500.
Size and Seating Capability
The Gladiator seats five adults comfortably. There’s over 41 inches of legroom in the front seats. The rear offers a generous 38.3 inches of legroom, too. The crew cab is the only available option for the 2020 Gladiator. The Gladiator can accommodate two car seats, and it comes equipped with LATCH connectors.
Battery, Range and Engine Specs
A gas-powered 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine comes standard on all 2020 Jeep Gladiators. It cranks out up to 285 horsepower and delivers 260 pounds-feet of torque. The Gladiator can also tow up to 7,650 pounds, depending on the configuration. It’s a very capable vehicle, and for its size, it’s also fuel efficient. The Gladiator gets up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway and a respectable 16 miles per gallon in city traffic.
Trims and Features
There are seven trim levels for the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Each version offers something different in terms of capability and comfort. The Gladiator is endlessly customizable, and there’s a trim that will meet any truck lover’s desires.
All trim levels are available in nine exterior colors. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all trims with an eight-speed automatic available. Unlike many other pickups, the Gladiator is available with just one cab size and one bed length.
Sport
The Sport is the entry-level trim for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. It’s as basic as any vehicle gets these days, with windows that crank by hand and manual door locks. What the Sport can do is work hard. With the optional towing package, it can haul up to 7,650 lbs. Air conditioning, a rearview camera and a 5 inch touchscreen are among the comforts that come standard in the Sport.
Sport S
Like the Sport, the Sport S does all the basics well. Unlike the Sport, the Sport S comes with power windows, visors with lighted vanity mirrors, and automatic headlights as standard features. Active safety features are available for the Sport S trim.
Overland
The Overland has a more robust technology package than the Sport S. It’s fully compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are USB ports available to charge smartphones and other devices, including in the rear seats. The touchscreen that controls the infotainment system is a little larger, too, at 7 inches. Finally, the available extras for the Overland include side steps, ambient interior lighting and daytime running lights.
Rubicon
The Rubicon is more muscular than the lower Gladiator trims. It’s built with off-roading in mind. To that end, it comes with standard features like a front sway bar that can be disconnected for greater axle mobility and a heavy-duty Rock-Trac 4×4 four-wheel drive system. Optional safety features include rear park assist and blind spot detection. There are 33-inch tires for off-roading also available for the Rubicon.
Mojave
Whereas the Rubicon is built with rocky terrain in mind, the Mojave is designed for sand. This is a truck that’s built to move quickly. Fox brand shocks and hydraulics ensure a smooth ride. The Mojave has great handling and performs well on pavement, too. The Mojave comes standard with a tubular-steel roll cage and a backup camera for safety.
North Edition
This Gladiator is designed with cold-weather climates in mind. It includes a trail kit with carabiners, gloves and tow straps. The heated seats and steering wheel, along with remote engine starting, make this truck ideal for any challenging northern climate. A larger 8.4-inch touchscreen is also standard on the North Edition Gladiator. This trim was marketed as a limited edition for the 2020 model year.
High Altitude
The High Altitude is the most luxurious edition of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. This trim comes with quilted Nappa leather upholstery and 20-inch black wheels. Safety features like rear park assist, cross path and blind spot detection are also standard on the Gladiator High Altitude. Remote keyless entry, a premium audio system and the full safety group are included.
Safety
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator wasn’t crash tested before its release, so there’s no data to report about its performance in testing. All trims come with safety features like anti-lock brakes, driver and passenger airbags, traction control and a rollover protection system. Driver assist functions like blind spot detection and park assist are available for some trim levels.
Reliability
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is an all-new model. There have been no recalls related to the 2020 Gladiator to date. It features a reliable, 3.6-liter Pentastar engine that has a good reputation. It’s largely based on the Jeep Wrangler, which is an enduringly popular and very rugged vehicle.
The Takeaway
The 2020 Gladiator is a wonderful model for Jeep to make its return to the world of pickup trucks. It’s a versatile vehicle that can be modified for just about any use. The Gladiator is built to perform with its trims tailored to specific types of terrain. It’s very different from most pickups on the market. For example, the Gladiator is available in hard- and soft-top versions.
Though the Gladiator has just a 5-foot bed, it’s very capable as a truck. This is a fun vehicle for off-roading. It’s also effective for towing gear and for hauling cargo. As a compact, it’s also a comfortable size for driving and parking on city streets. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a spacious, eye-catching truck that does a lot of things very well.
