There were not a lot of vehicles on offer in the mid-size truck segment but with the launch of the much-awaited Jeep Gladiator, the buyers now have a much wider range to pick from. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator combines the ruggedness and off-road capability of the Wrangler and adds a lot in terms of towing and cargo-hauling capacity with its bed.
Impressive rear seat
Rugged character and off-road capability
Convertible-configuration
Only one body and bed choice available
Expensive as compared to rivals
A completely new model for 2020
$33545
4dr Crew Cab
5
FWD
220 cu.in.
285 hp @ 6400 rpm
260 lbs.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
6 speed manual
137.3 in.
218 in.
73.8 in.
75 in.
4650 lbs.
10 in.
7650 lbs.
1600 lbs.
16/19/23 mpg
352 mi.
506 mi.
3 yr./ 36000 mi.
5 yr./ 60000 mi.
5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Features
Engine And Performance
Fuel Economy
Exterior
5.2
OVERALL RATING
$33,545 - $35,545
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) | Starting at $33,545 MSRP | (16/19/23) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, regular unleaded | 6-speed manual | four wheel drive | 5 | |
| Sport 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) | Starting at $35,545 MSRP | (17/19/22) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, Gasoline | 8-Speed Automatic | four wheel drive | 5 |
$36,745 - $38,745
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport S 4dr Crew Cab SB 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 6M) | Starting at $36,745 MSRP | (16/19/23) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, regular unleaded | 6-speed manual | four wheel drive | 5 | |
| Sport S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) | Starting at $38,745 MSRP | (17/19/22) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, Gasoline | 8-Speed Automatic | four wheel drive | 5 |
$40,395 - $42,395
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overland 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 6M) | Starting at $40,395 MSRP | (16/19/23) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, regular unleaded | 6-speed manual | four wheel drive | 5 | |
| Overland 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) | Starting at $42,395 MSRP | (17/19/22) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, Gasoline | 8-Speed Automatic | four wheel drive | 5 |
$43,875 - $45,875
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubicon 4dr Crew Cab SB 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 6M) | Starting at $43,875 MSRP | (16/19/23) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, regular unleaded | 6-speed manual | four wheel drive | 5 | |
| Rubicon 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) | Starting at $45,875 MSRP | (17/19/22) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, Gasoline | 8-Speed Automatic | four wheel drive | 5 |
$43,875 - $45,875
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mojave 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) | Starting at $45,875 MSRP | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
| Mojave 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 6M) | Starting at $43,875 MSRP | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
$45,720
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Edition 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) | Starting at $45,720 MSRP | (17/19/22) | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm, 3.6 L, V-6, regular unleaded | 8-speed automatic | four wheel drive | 5 |
Overall Rating
With the Jeep Gladiator on-board, the company has stormed the Pickup truck segment, with a promising perspective. The Jeep Gladiator 2020 can be equipped with a number of packages such as the Max Tow Package, Trailer Tow Package, and the Auxilary Switch Group Package. Powered by a 3.6L V6, the Gladiator can churn out 285 ponies, which are further transmitted to all the 4 wheels.
The main competitors of the Gladiator include the Honda Ridgeline, the Nissan Frontier and the Ford F-150. All of these vehicles are very capable and offer a band for the buck. Let’s find out how the 2020 Jeep Gladiator stacks up against these vehicles.
5.0/10
Features
5.0/10
Engine and Performance
3.0/10
Fuel Economy
8.0/10
Exterior
The Jeep Gladiator is the brand’s stepping stone in the pickup segment, offering high hopes to the Jeep fanatics. The Jeep Gladiator is procurable in 4 trims, Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon. Starting from $33,545, the Sport holds the starting line for the Gladiator, which then goes up to $43,545 for the Rubicon trim.
All trims offer a 3.6-liter V6 as their standard powerhouse, which is capable of generating a decent 285 hp, along with 260 lb.-ft. Of torque.
|
Trims |
SPORT |
SPORT S |
OVERLAND |
RUBICON |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (4WD) |
$33,545 |
$36,745 |
$40,395 |
$43,545 |
|
Key Features |
2-Way Manual Lumbar Adjustable Driver Seat |
Includes Sport features, plus: |
Includes Sport S features, plus: |
Includes Overland features, plus: |
|
4-Way Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
Automatic Headlamps |
LED Ambient Interior Lighting |
4:1 Rock-Trac Heavy-Duty Part-Time 4WD System |
|
|
Cloth Bucket Seats |
Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
Overland cloth bucket seats |
Rubicon cloth bucket seats |
|
|
8-Speakers |
Available Alpine Premium Audio System |
Uconnect 7-in. touchscreen display |
Available automatic crash notification service |
|
|
17-Inch Black Steel Styled Wheels |
17-in. tech silver aluminum wheels |
18-Inch Granite Crystal Aluminum Wheels |
17-in. granite crystal aluminum wheels |
|
|
Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera |
Security alarm |
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
Available blind-spot & cross-path detection |
We recommend
We recommend you to go for the Sport S trim since it combines the right blend of utility and features, and is the best value for money in case of the already expensive Jeep Gladiator lineup. Moreover, only the Sport and the Sport S trims can be deployed with the Max Tow Package, enhancing the truck’s towing capacities by a great margin.
Powering the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a 3.6 liter 6 cylinder motor. Mated to the engine is a 6-speed manual transmission. The 8-speed automatic transmission can be opted for as an option for added convenience. The powertrain can produce a maximum of 285 horses, along with 260 lb.-ft. Of torque which just happens to be a respectable set of figures for a pickup truck.
The organization plans to soon roll out a 3.6-liter V6 engine as a powerhouse option for the Gladiator. This engine, as claimed, will churn out 260 ponies, and a robust 442 lb.-ft. Of torque. However, this iteration is scheduled for launch, not before the latter part of 2020.
|
Models |
2020 Jeep Gladiator |
2019 Honda Ridgeline |
2019 Nissan Frontier |
2019 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$33,545 |
$29,990 |
$26,850 |
$31,915 |
|
Engine |
3.6L Regular V6 |
3.5 L Regular V6 |
4 L Regular V6 |
3.5 L Regular V6 |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | FWD | RWD | 4WD |
|
Transmission |
6-Speed Manual |
6-Speed Automatic |
5-Speed Automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
|
Power |
285hp@6,400rpm |
280hp@6,000rpm |
261hp@5,600rpm |
278hp@6,000rpm |
|
Torque |
260lb-ft4,400rpm |
262lb-ft4,700rpm |
281lb-ft4,000rpm |
265lb-ft4,600rpm |
The Jeep Gladiator happens to be the most expensive option of the list. The Wrangler-based pickup triumphs over the competition in terms of the ponies tucked underneath with 285 hp below its belt. The Ridgeline, ranks seconds with 280 hp, followed up closely by the Toyota Tacoma.
The Jeep Gladiator, however, does not carry its king attitude to its torque figures. With just 262 of twist, the ride ranks last against its rivals, with the Nissan Frontier absolutely turning the tables, and obtaining the first position on the torque podium.
The above-discussed torque territory setback of the Jeep Gladiator affects the acceleration time for the Jeep Gladiator. The pickup is really slow to respond to throttle inputs, which makes the acceleration experience a laggy one.
Bringing those power figures to real life, and you’ll realize that acceleration is definitely not the forte for the Gladiator. The Gladiator’s low-end torque ensures that most of your driving time is spent shifting gears. You always need to be in the right gear to achieve highway speeds.
|
Models |
2020 Jeep Gladiator |
2019 Honda Ridgeline |
2019 Nissan Frontier |
2019 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0-60 MPH |
8.1 sec |
6.6 sec |
7.3 sec |
7.7 sec |
|
Quarter Mile |
16.1 sec |
15 sec |
17.9 sec |
15.2 sec |
| Top Speed | 97 MPH | 120 MPH | 125 MPH | 115 MPH |
|
Engine |
3.6L Regular V6 |
3.5 L Regular V6 |
4 L Regular V6 |
3.5 L Regular V6 |
The Jeep Gladiator is the slowest to get-off the mark and gets a good glimpse of all its rival’s taillamps. The ride takes 8.1 seconds in order to sprint from 0-60 MPH, which happens to be the slowest in this comparison. The Honda Ridgeline is the fastest pickup in the question with a 0-60 sprint time of just 6.6 seconds. Nissan Frontier rakes in the second slot with 7.3 seconds 0-6 time under its belt, followed up closely by the Toyota Tacoma with 7.7 seconds.
The Gladiator stops well, courtesy of its big brake rotors. The ride takes 129 ft. to depreciate to a standstill from 60 mph. The performance is better than most of its rivals. The ride comes equipped with an integrated Trailer Brake Controller, which provides adaptive braking power to the trailer’s electric brakes. This arrangement inspires confidence in the Gladiator on-paper.
Bring these stats to real-life, and the case does not remain so. The Gladiator experiences a harsh nose-dive under panic braking situations and undergoes a lot of sways.
|
Model |
2020 Jeep Gladiator |
2019 Honda Ridgeline |
2019 Nissan Frontier |
2019 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Brake Rotors Front |
12.9" |
13" |
11.7" |
10.8" |
|
Brake Rotors Rear |
13.6" |
12.6" |
11.3" |
10" |
|
Curb Weight |
4650 lbs |
4235 lbs |
4225 lbs |
4180 lbs |
|
60-0 MPH |
129 ft |
195 ft** |
131 ft |
180 ft** |
**Used for 70-0 MPH
Built to withstand tough terrains the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator makes it easy to drive on hilly roads. Jeep plans on introducing a 3L Turbo-Diesel engine in late 2020 which is a beast of an engine compared to the stock 3.6L V6. The car is very easy to maneuver on rough terrains with big 17 inch tires and helps the driver to maintain an upright posture while driving on these unstable terrains.
With steady rear and front axles, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator can easily climb huge boulders and trails. The long-wheelbase also means that the vehicle remains steady on any terrain. The suspension is absolutely solid and swallows the toughest of shocks out there.
Drive a Jeep Gladiator and you’ll witness the typical Wrangler characteristics in the ride. The steering does not feel precise and keeps you pretty busy when wading those uneven terrains. Its heavy axles, standard four-wheel-drive system, and high ground clearance make it highly off-roading potent.
The Gladiator’ steering, however, remains a big issue that generally feels light and requires a lot of modulation at high speeds. The pickup feels collected on curvy roads but is definitely not meant to throw around a corner at high speeds.
The Jeep Gladiator can tow up to 4500 lbs on the lower trims, whereas the Rubicon trim can tow up to 7000 lbs. However, the Max Tow Package is your pal if enhanced towing capacity is what you need in your Gladiator. Equip the Sport trim with this package and the towing figures can rise up to 7650 lbs.
|
Model |
2020 Jeep Gladiator |
2019 Honda Ridgeline |
2019 Nissan Frontier |
2019 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Towing Capacity |
4500 lbs |
5000 lbs |
6500 lbs |
6800 lbs |
Without the incorporation of the additional Towing Package, the Jeep Gladiator is a disappointment in terms of its maximum towing capacity. The Toyota Tacoma is the most capable towing truck of the segment with a capacity of 6800 lbs. The Nissan Frontier, making a close chase gets 6500 lbs under its belt. Followed up by the Honda Ridgeline at 5000 lbs, and finally, the Jeep Gladiator that can just carry 4500 lbs hitched to it.
The Jeep Gladiator 2020 is more of a stretched-out Wrangler, which makes the former a little more thirsty than the latter. Considering its powertrain, and boxy shape, the Jeep Gladiator’s 3.6 L, 6 Cylinder engine, mated to the stock 6-speed manual transmission, can give out MPG figures of 16/23/19. Go for the 8-speed automatic transmission and there are not many alterations, with figures of 17/22/19.
|
Model |
2020 Jeep Gladiator |
2019 Honda Ridgeline |
2019 Nissan Frontier |
2019 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
16 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
23 |
26 |
23 |
23 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
19 |
22 |
21 |
21 |
| Fuel Capacity | 22.0 gallons | 19.5 gallons | 21.1 gallons | 21.1 gallons |
| Range (City/Hwy/Combined) | 352/506/418 miles | 371/507/429 miles | 338/464/443 miles | 380/464/443 miles |
| Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The Jeep Gladiator lags behind all its competitors in terms of fuel economy. The Honda Ridgeline comes out as the most fuel-friendly ride with a combined MPG of 22, followed up closely by the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma with both the rides covering 21 miles per gallon.
The Jeep Gladiator’s additional 19-inch wheelbase over the Jeep Wrangler makes its rear seats even more comfortable with added legroom. The Front seat passengers get great outward visibility and a commanding driving position, all thanks to the short, upright dashboard, and the seat’s good lumbar support.
The insides of a Jeep Gladiator boasts a sensible layout with user-friendly controls and rear seats that can fold flat for supplementary cargo storage. The Jeep Gladiator is a cut above all of its competitors when it comes to the interior vibe. The upholstery has a rugged yet rich feel to it, and the laden dashboard design makes the Gladiator every bit of stylish, rugged, and utilitarian.
|
Model |
2020 Jeep Gladiator |
2019 Honda Ridgeline |
2019 Nissan Frontier |
2019 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
42.8/55.7/41.2 |
40.1/62.0/40.9 |
39.9/39.9/42.4 |
39.7/58.3/42.9 |
|
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
42.8/55.7/38.3 |
38.8/61.5/36.7 |
38.6/58.3/33.6 |
38.3/58.9/32.6 |
Some of the most prominent interior features of the Jeep Gladiator are:
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator gets a modernized touch in terms of the infotainment screen. The stock system in all the trims is a 7-inch touchscreen but there’s an option for an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The car comes equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in both the 7 and 8.4-inch displays.
All Jeeps come with a UConnect infotainment system and this is the 4th generation of the UConnect system. Both the 7 and 8.4-inch display support pinch zoom capability. Although the Sport trim has a 5-inch standard screen.
Take a Jeep Wrangler, stretch it out, add around 19 inches in its wheelbase, and infuse it with a cargo bed at the back. The end product that you’ll get is fondly called the Jeep Gladiator. Styling for both the Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Gladiator is pretty much identical, with elements such as the 7-slot front grille, bulbous headlights, bulky fenders, and beefy tires. The Jeep Gladiator is not as hefty as you’d expect a typical pickup truck like the Chevy Silverado or the Ford F-150 to be. This Jeep offers goes more against the likes of a Honda Ridgeline, or a Nissan Frontier.
The Jeep Gladiator 2020 hosts an array of removable body panels such as the top and doors, and a windshield that folds flat against the front bumper. All these elements lend the Gladiator an ultra-stylish and highly versatile vehicle.
In the case of the Jeep Wrangler, there is only one bed on offer which happens to be a 5-foot steel bed that comes with a spray-in bed liner and a roll-up cover.
|
Model |
2020 Jeep Gladiator |
2019 Honda Ridgeline |
2019 Nissan Frontier |
2019 Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight |
4650 lbs |
4235 lbs |
4225 lbs |
4180 lbs |
|
Length |
218" |
210" |
205.5" |
212.3" |
|
Width |
73.8" |
78.6" |
72.8" |
74.4" |
|
Height |
75" |
72.2" |
70.1" |
70.6" |
|
Ground Clearance |
10" |
7.3" |
8.6" |
9.4" |
|
Wheelbase |
137.3" |
125.2" |
125.9" |
127.4" |
The Jeep Gladiator 2020 comes out as the heaviest, longest, and the tallest bad-boy of the lot. The Gladiator also carries the highest ground clearance, a fact that manifests the Gladiator’s off-roading capabilities. However, the hefty weight of this ride acts as a further hindrance apart from its downside torque in making the Gladiator a slow contender of this list.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator has not been tested by federal authorities for its performance during an accident. However, the Jeep Wrangler with which the Gladiator shares a lot has been rated. The Wrangler received 4 stars in the frontal crash and 3 stars in rollover protection, courtesy of NHTSA. The IIHS has given it no rating regarding its safety but it might not yet be a deal-breaker.
The Jeep Gladiator comes with a lot of advanced safety features and driver aids, making good on its promise to improve in light of its predecessor’s poor safety record. Most of these systems are common to all trims and well up to par with the industry standard for off-road vehicles.
Priced at $29,990 the Honda Ridgeline is the best this segment has to offer. With a 3.5L V6 under its hood, generating 280 hp along with 262 lb.-ft. Of torque, the Ridgeline is the fastest pickup in this league with a 0-60 dash time of 6.6 seconds. The ride is not just about performing but consider its best-in-class MPG figure of 22, and a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. The Ridgeline is also great at pulling off that utilitarian character.
The Toyota Tacoma is the second most pricey offering on this list after the Jeep Gladiator. With a sticker price of $31,915, the Tacoma houses a 3.5L V6, which is capable of fabricating 278 hp, and 265 lb.-ft. Of twisting force. The ride can sprint from 0-60 in a span of 7.7 seconds (still better than the Gladiator) and is an absolute monster at pulling with a towing capacity of 6800 lbs. The Tacoma is an ultimate offering of this segment, which houses absolute pickup traits at a much reasonable price than the Gladiator.
The Jeep Gladiator 2020 seems like a desperate measure from the company to increase its market share in the auspicious pickup truck segment. The Gladiator combines the Wrangler’s look and off-road potential but lags in the performance aspect. The pickup is the slowest to lift-off and offers the least in class towing capacity. Just in case you want to tow more with your Jeep Gladiator, employ the Max Tow Package to this already expensive ride. All in all. We do not think the Jeep Gladiator is worth your bucks.
Thomas P. Williams 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
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Time to trade it in
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Aaron H. Jeffers 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S 4dr Crew Cab SB 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
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Happy and proud
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McClinton 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
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Based on my driving experience till now, Gladiator 2020 is a better option than other pickups in this price range
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