Based on the legendary Wrangler, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator pairs a four-door cab with a five-foot box and a whole bunch of serious off-road equipment. The latter includes items such as large off-road tires, rugged suspension, and advanced all-wheel drive. The 2020 Gladiator represents a unique entry among mid-size pickup trucks. Its unmistakably rugged exterior and removable body panels make it a must have vehicle for many.
2019 – The First Year
After years of speculation, the Jeep Gladiator emerged as the first Jeep pickup truck in nearly 30 years. East Hills Jeep of Greenvale, NY say it was designed to compete head-to-head with popular off-road vehicles such as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, Toyota Tacoma TRD models, and Ford Ranger Raptor.
The 2020 Model
The 2020 Gladiator lineup starts at just over $35,000. True off-roaders will appreciate the Gladiator Sport S with the standard six-speed manual transmission and anti-spin rear differential. The 7.0-inch Radio Group adds a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the Cold Weather package adds a heated steering wheel and heated front seats.
The 2020 Gladiator will arrive in dealerships with a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic, it’s just slightly slower than most mid-size pickup truck rivals. The Gladiator is said to have a diesel 3.0-liter V-6 with 260 horses and a mighty 442 lb-ft of torque for 2020. Choose the Max Towing package and it can tow up to 7650 pounds and carry 1600 in the cargo bed.
Slightly Larger
Compared with the standard Jeep Wrangler, the 2020 Gladiator is 31 inches longer overall and has an extra 19.4 inches between the front and rear wheels. Not only does this increase interior passenger space, it improves the ride and handling. While steering isn’t extremely precise and the ride can be busy on uneven surfaces, these characteristics are part of the formula that make the Gladiator a trail-ready tool. Most enthusiasts care about the truck’s off-road equipment anyways, which the Jeep Gladiator offers in spades. Items include everything from spacious skid plates to rock-crawling axle ratios to the ability to ford up to 30 inches of water.
Real-World MPG
Since Jeep has not released any EPA estimates for the 2020 Gladiator yet however, every model will have an engine stop/start system to help save fuel. We also expect the diesel engine will be thriftier than its gas counterpart even though the vehicle itself will likely cost more out of the gate.
Inside
Inside, the Gladiator has a familiar upright dashboard that imitates the Wrangler. Durable details include a waterproof push-button start and convenience features such as a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. The Gladiator also has body and roof panels that can be easily removed to create an open-air cabin, a feature that Jeep’s a famous for.
The optional larger 7.0- and 8.4-inch displays come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system can also be upgraded with an optional subwoofer and portable wireless speaker behind the back seat. Front-seat passengers will also have several power points, which include two USBs and a USB-C port.
Along with its five-foot cargo bed, the Gladiator is filled with ingenious interior storage options. Its cabin has a handful of spots to stick a smartphone and a handy compartment hidden under the back seat. The seats themselves can be stowed in multiple ways.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Feature
The 2020 Gladiator can be optioned with adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitor
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The 2020 Gladiator will likely include the company’s Wave ownership program that provides two complimentary oil-change and tire-rotation services from the dealer per year for the first two years. The Gladiator comes with a 36,000 mile limited warranty.
