The brand new 2020 Jeep Gladiator is basically a pickup truck styled like a Wrangler. This is an absolute no-brainer for Jeep. Sitting alongside the Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Compass, and Patriot, the Gladiator is a welcome addition to an impressive Jeep family. Frankly, it's about time they made a modern pickup.
Towing and Payload
The Gladiator can tow up to 7,650 pounds.. big enough for just about anything you'd want to tote. With a payload of 1,600 pounds, it belongs in the same category of light-duty truck as the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, and the GMC Canyon. Or, a Hummer H3T if you're into that sort of thing. (It actually kind of looks like an H3T in all honesty).
While it's certainly capable of carrying solid weight, you'll need to look elsewhere if you plan to haul 2000+ lbs. of payload.
Open-Air Capability
What separates the Gladiator from all the other pickup trucks on the market? It's definitely the open-air capability - much like the Wrangler before it, the Gladiator can be fitted with a hard or soft top. On days where it's nice enough to drop the top, you can. Oh, and of course you can remove the 4 doors as well.
Available Trims
According to Jeep's website, there's 4 different types of Gladiator. Choose wisely.
(1) Gladiator Sport
Summary: The base model, adequately equipped. You can do better though.
- + 17-inch black wheels
- + Durable steel bed with easy lower three-position tailgate
- + Removable top and doors
- + Lockable rear seat storage
(2) Gladiator Sport S
Summary: Everything featured on the Sport edition, with fancier wheels, keyless entry, and some additional comfort options.
- + 17-inch tech silver aluminium wheels
- + Power wheels, power heated mirrors, and power locking doors and tailgate
- + Available uConnect 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay support
- + Available 115-volt power outlet in truck bed
(3) Gladiator Overland
Summary: Bigger wheels, premium interior, technology upgrades and adaptive cruise control
- + 18-inch granite crystal aluminum wheels
- + Side steps and body-color fender flares, because why not?
- + Available LED headlamps and taillamps
- + Available adaptive cruise control
(4) Gladiator Rubicon
Summary: An offroad machine. The ultimate Gladiator. The one you want.
- + Massive 33-inch off-road tires with high clearance fender flares
- + Rock-trac 4x4 system with up to 84:1 crawl ratio
- + Electronic sway bar disconnect, locking front and rear differentials
- + Vented Rubicon hood, off-road rock rails
- + Available TrailCam off-road Camera
Price
Jeep has yet to finalize the price, but Edmunds.com is estimating a starting price of around $37,000 for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. You can be certain the Rubicon edition will cost substantially more than that.
Release Date
It's expected that Jeep will start officially selling the Gladiator sometime around Q2 2019. No official release date as of yet.