2020 Jeep Gladiator

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. 

Trim	SPORT	SPORT S	OVERLAND	RUBICON
MSRP	$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	3.6 L, V - 6	3.5 L, V – 6	4 L, V – 6	3.5 L, V – 6
Transmission	6 Speed Manual	6-Speed Automatic	5-Speed Automatic	6 Speed Automatic
Power (hp)	285 hp	280 hp	261 hp	278 hp
Torque (lbs.-ft.)	260 lb-ft at 4400 rpm	262 lb-ft at 4700 rpm	281 lb-ft at 4000 rpm	265 lb-ft at 4600 rpm

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. 

How fast is the Jeep Gladiator 2020?

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 (Sec)	8.1	6.6	7.3	7.7
Quarter mile (Sec)	16.1	15	17.9	15.2
Engine	3.6 L, 6 Cylinder	3.5 L, 6 Cylinder	4.0 L, 6 Cylinder	3.5 L, 6 Cylinder

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.

What about the braking performance of the Jeep Gladiator 2020?

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
Front Brake Rotor(in.)	12.9	13	11.7	10.8
Rear Brake Rotor(in.)	13.6	12.6	11.3	10
60-0 MPH(ft.)	129	195 (70-0)	131	180 (70-0)
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4650	4235	4225	4180

What about its driving dynamics?

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.

What about the Towing Capacity of the Jeep Gladiator 2020?

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

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
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (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
Second (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

Creature comforts on offer in the Jeep Gladiator 2020

Some of the most prominent interior features of the Jeep Gladiator are:

• Heated Front Seats
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
• Lockable Storage
• Passive Entry

Does it come loaded with tech inside? 

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(lbs)	4650	4235	4225	4180
Length(in)	218	210	205.5	212.3
Width(in)	73.8	78.6	72.8	74.4
Height(in)	75	72.2	70.1	70.6
Ground clearance(in)	10	7.3	8.6	9.4
Wheelbase(in)	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.

What are those eye-catching features?

• 18-inch Alloy Wheels
• Removable Doors And Roof
• Rock And Side Rails
• Automatic Headlights
• Foldable Windshield

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.

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control(ESC) with Roll Stability Control
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Automated Emergency Braking
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts
• Parkview Back-Up Camera

Jeep Gladiator vs. Honda Ridgeline

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.

 

Jeep Gladiator  vs. Toyota Tacoma

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.