2020 Jeep Gladiator | CarGurus Test Drive Review

Shop for the new Jeep Gladiator on CarGurus: cargur.us/tnF5v
Rumors about a Jeep pickup truck have been swirling for years. Jeep has had a range of trucks over the past 60 years. There was the Jeepster, the Comanchee, and the Scrambler. But “Scrambler” sounds like a breakfast special at your local diner, and “Gladiator,” the name Jeep chose to resurrect for this truck, is much more fitting.
A 3.6-liter V6 engine makes 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet or torque, good enough for 7,650 pounds of towing capacity. Combined with an optional 8-speed automatic transmission (a 6-speed manual is standard), the Gladiator’s powertrain returns 19 miles per gallon in combined driving.
Jeep has installed multiple versions of the Uconnect infotainment system, and the version you get is determined by the trim you choose. The middle-tier system with a 7-inch display comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as does the top-end 8.4-inch screen. A couple of advanced safety suites pack niceties like blind-spot monitoring, rear parking-assist sensors, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. However, neither the new Wrangler nor the Gladiator have been crash tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, and crash test have never been a strong suit for Jeep’s go-anywhere off-roaders.
Pricing for the Gladiator starts at $33,545 and rises to $43,545 MSRP for the Rubicon trim. But adding options and packages can increase the price even further. The Rubicon Launch Edition started at $60,815. For more information on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, read Chris’ full review on CarGurus: cargur.us/tnF4G
Presenter: Chris Wardlaw
Cinematographer: Dan Sharp
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[@TUBELSLIDER]

Nice honest review! I bought a Gladiator Rubicon a couple of weeks ago and love it so far. The only minor complaint I have, after driving a Z71 Silverado for the past 5 years, is the Gladiator lane wandering at highway speeds which you mentioned in your video. It's the nature of the recirculating ball steering and live axle in the front end. You have to "drive" the Gladiator and pay a bit more attention while going down the highway. After some readjustment to my driving, it has become second nature. I love the looks of the Gladiator, the smart storage they designed under and behind the rear seat, the way the rear seats fold both up and down giving you a flat surface (great place for the dogs to ride), the performance of the 3.6L V6 and 8 speed automatic, the improved Freedom Tops, the fit and finish (best I've had in a Jeep interior yet) and most of all, the stigma of driving a vehicle that I'm sure will attain a cult following! Also, by the way, a 7'6" surfboard will fit inside the passenger side of the Gladiator with the front seat reclined with a couple of inches to spare!! That little fact was very important to me as there are time when I want to keep a surfboard secure and ready to use in my Gladiator!

[@joeshmuckatelli4447]

I have the Gator Green Rubicon version, and what he said at the end is SO TRUE! people comment on how bad ass it looks and how much they like it everywhere I go. It’s a sweet machine.

[@johnwok15]

OMG. Great review, you went over everything...

[@CallOnJesus]

I love my new Gladiator!!

[@the2wheeldon157]

😎🙏🏽

[@CallOnJesus]

@Army Guy don't be a hater.

[@kiabrown7013]

I like the sport looking ones they're good for off road and beautiful truck it's time that Jeep make a change to the road

[@RadicallyLowly]

Ty for the Review 👍🏽

[@gldi8hr]

Good review❗️👏👌🙌

[@jackbauer9077]

I def want one! I am prob going to trade my RAM rebel in on one. Miss having a Jeep and this gives me a Jeep, truck, & convertible. Best of all types.

[@seadoo4life727]

Those rims and tires! Ahhhh

[@genius-no5sl]

Sport would be good with me this truck is obviously epic

[@harrisonlauer6346]

Nailed the floss! 👏🏼

[@elijahj9902]

This is the most beautiful truck I have ever seen.

[@waejotchannel4820]

Love it and support

[@maureengallagher1933]

I too liked the filming and would have liked to see the convertible portion tho. He spoke fast but very clear

[@betweenthepines4000]

You get a few haters on the 3.6 but having had the very stout 3.6 in our Journey for 5 years and almost 100k, it runs like new still. Just purchased a 20’ sport S nearly fully loaded for 10k off the msrp. My very first truck was a 93’ dakota 5.2 with 230/280. It was a slug even 280lbft and brutal on fuel. Speed limits havent changed and more than happy with the 3.6 power output.

[@RM-ys1bn]

I purchased hydro Blue this past December. You did fail to mention the Max Tow package which offers 4:10 gears in wider Dana 44s. The Sport and Sport S have this option. That is where you get that peek towing and payload number. I did buy the max tow package because its the Rubicon slightly wider Dana 44s with Same gears, just no locker. That I think it the best buy for any budget minded person of off roader.

[@isaacsmiranda4902]

Yeah it is 2020 Firecracker Red Clear Coat Jeep Gladiator Overland 3.6L v6 4wd crew cab short bed 285 hp and 260 torque 16-23-19 8 speed Transmission $52.920 Ulimate Compact Midsize Truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@computerscientist5953]

with the price of a luxury vehicle. lol

[@trina9366]

I want this truck 😭

[@NakedBlastoise]

Rented one for 1 week. Love the look, just don’t like the lack of power. 6.4L Hemi should come standard on a Rubicon for the price.

[@mike1158d]

I love the "destination charges" on cars... its DELIVERY....they won't let you pick one up from the factory (a VERY few exceptions I bet) so why is it not just part of the price? You can't NOT pay it

[@rarosier6265]

Why not simply purchase the vehicle from a dealership in Toledo where it rolls off the assembly line? Surely, the delivery charge is much less there.

[@stefanfalldorf6573]

Out here in Germany it's the same. You even have to pay to pick it up at the factory (even if it's a special experience) but it's less than at the dealer. There is one exception: Mercedes. If you pick it up at the factory in Stuttgart or in my hometown Bremen (doesn't matter where the Benz is produced) than it's for free. The only brand at the german market without destination charge.

[@deepbludreams]

If you think about it, the destination charge is pretty cheap considering the car maker had to ship an object that weighs over two tons thousands of miles in some cases, imagine what say Fedex would charge for that.

[@Sithlord224]

I love my Gladiator 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@timbatee7433]

I think I'll buy one in about 3 years after dealers stop marking it up 10-20% higher than the MSRP

[@AverageCarGuy]

You can order them through certain dealers and get 5% off dealer invoice now. You just have to know which dealers. Check the forums for more info.

[@ati573]

They aren't marked up where I live

[@jadkirk893]

That’s exactly what I’m doing

[@azalldayson28]

there will be way better options in 3 years

[@waejotchannel4820]

I love jeep

[@livejamie]

Are you not counting the 2003-2006 Chevy SSR as a convertible pickup truck?

[@BigRudy53]

I just looked at a new gladiator and as soon as I started it the idle was all over the place. The sales said geez feels like it's going to stall, sorry fiat is junk! Worst part is the truck was a Rubicon with a 59k sticker🤣

[@drfuhque]

Does the Rubicon come in manual transmission?

[@libertystuffnthingsreviews829]

Why the automatic? Did you drive the new 6spd?

[@minniesaab7255]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@therealest1one]

The dance alone made me go buy one

[@drfuhque]

Best part is, it is available in stick.

[@christopherfoster101]

Wish they came out with a 2-door extended cab version of this.........

[@dtay8913]

Delicious

[@trina9366]

Lol nice flossing 😆

[@jorgehernandez1294]

For everyone , add about 5 to 10k in dealership markup at least for the first year, I remember when the hellcat came out, dealers wanted no less then 100k lol

[@Jackal_Blitz]

I figured having a bed with a cover would be better for storing the roof panels than having to shove them into a back seat... ?

[@jlv3x]

To the reviewer, the purpose of a truck bed is to store things. Therefore you have more room for the freedom tops in the bed than you would have in a Wrangler.

[@ktpinnacle]

Who gets to pick who reviews which vehicles?

[@craigmcallahan]

I think it is the first convertible truck since 2006 Chevy SSR.....well after Dakota. Just saying. 😀

[@TheRdwyer]

Not for the faint of heart. lmao.....yep that anemic 3.6 will push G's you never knew existed...lmao......

[@RickZackExploreOffroad]

The Pentastar is a pretty good little engine. Plenty of torque and with the gear ratio of the Rubicon is more than enough for serious rock crawling.

[@Sig721Tau]

@@RickZackExploreOffroad True but not for towing a travel trailer.

[@tombyrne1142]

@@RickZackExploreOffroad Pathetic power. I was flooring the 6-speed model trying to get some acceleration. No matter the gear or RPM, it was a slug. The 2019 4Runner we drove to the dealer runs rings around it,, with an automitic transmissions. The suspension and steering is awful. Felt fake and artificial. I will keep my 2007 Dakota Quad cab with the 4.7 HO. I have the lifetime powertrain offering and it does everything better than the Gladiator

[@johnnyk617]

Can’t decide between the wrangler and the gladiator

[@SoCalJeepGladiator]

Does anyone have ACTUAL mpg city and highway?

[@Shakerhood69]

I can see this doing better than the disappointing Ranger.

[@doughuber5867]

Shakerhood69 most people are not off roading very much plus the gladiator is owned by fiat.

[@DavidStewart-np3cj]

33k? That's not gonna sell at all! If you want a small truck. You can build a well-optioned Ram Classic Reg or Quad Cab Express for 33k. With all the bells and whistles.

[@btaxel]

Where have you been? They're selling like crazy. Eventually, yes, it'll taper, but these are not staying on the lots long at all

[@Sig721Tau]

David Stewart What makes you think that everyone wants a full-size truck? Or thinks exactly like you when shopping for a new vehicle?

[@kendallbalderas3586]

Never do the floss again.

[@DarronBirgenheier]

A two-door short cab version is needed. Not everyone wants a Breeder Jeep...

[@tminus543]

I wish jeep would re-design the back doors for tall people.

[@vmac805zero7]

Nice truck but man it’s expensive

[@piersandromannino4109]

I’d take this Jeep with the manual. Automatic is too boring for this kind of vehicle

[@emermbiemer302]

Piersandro Mannino this whole vehicle is retarded unless you go offroading every day

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great review - flossing very funny - Gladiator remains a Wrangler with more practicality - seem to be expensive for a USA made truck

[@porkchop1343]

Cheap looking tires tho

[@trdfenz3005]

I’ll take my 17 tacoma sr 4x4. Paid 26600. Half the price plus Toyota legendary reliability

[@contentdeleted1755]

The Tacoma is okay, but off-road, no Toyota will ever be as good as a Jeep.

[@trdfenz3005]

Your average person will never need the advantage of the jeep off-road. They’ll need the reputation of Toyota for long term value and cost of ownership . My 2 cents

[@normt5463]

Honda Ridgeline not need apply.

[@dsspivey]

Cheapest one your can get at the dealer now is starting at 43k? seriously?

[@skiffles7895]

the only sure fire hit that is taking place is in everyones bank accounts. I love jeep, but 60k for a Midsize?

[@teop7887]

$60k is misleading. With a few good options, the Rubi will run in the low $50s. The cash-cow model is the Sport S.

[@mpsangha]

It starts at 33k... For a crew cab 4x4 that's on par for the segment.

[@teop7887]

@@mpsangha Exactly. There are too many KZbin channels that are using the Rubicon Gladiator as the benchmark model. FCA should rectify this problem as it is causing an inaccurate depiction of the product value and misleading price of purchase.

[@mikehancho695]

I wonder if buying a base model then adding on ones preferred aftermarket parts would cost less/same/more than riding off the lot in the rubicon...

[@teop7887]

@@mikehancho695 It depends how much of the work you can do by yourself. Add labor etc, it's gonna get pricey, and not have the same warranty coverage. Quadratec has one of the best videos on the Gladiator pricing. The best option is the Sport S, with Max Tow package, and bed-liner. I'd add the safety package due to its size, and if possible, the hardtop. That's it. Plenty left for aftermarket bumpers, lockers, and tires. The Max Tow package should allow 33-34s with no lift.

[@coconutcoconut3450]

i wish jeep would build a jeep that drives good on the road too. the steering is a failure

[@AmericanSurvival001]

you just don't understand true offroad, Bronco will to be the same or worse

[@coconutcoconut3450]

@@AmericanSurvival001 you could be right ….I have only been 4wheeling since the 70s ,I have owned about 5=6 jeeps . once you lift a jeep with coil springs ,you open a can of worms. my lifted Toyotas were unstoppable offroad yet drove great on the highway. jeeps seem to fair better with a small lift .

[@justinfontaine9069]

Wow. I paid less for my 2018 Corvette C7 that is loaded. Lot of money for that rig.

[@Sig721Tau]

Your C7 is now discontinued. Lol

[@justinfontaine9069]

@@Sig721Tau I know and I have the last manual version of a Corvette. Fantastic car.

[@collinpaine2572]

54k with no lockers and a gas v6. Ill take my diesel zr2 and save 12k.

[@joshuamccormick5497]

Enjoy your transmission issues and shitty interior quality. And you can't take the roof and doors off lol

[@RickZackExploreOffroad]

Entry price for the Rubicon is 43K. That is lockers, front and back, and sway bar disconnects. Entry level for the Zr2 diesel is about the same. Of course there is no argument what will be the better off road. www.outsideonline.com/2137991/new-colorado-zr2-isnt-road-beast-chevy-claims news.pickuptrucks.com/2019/07/off-road-comparison-can-the-gladiator-rubicon-dethrone-the-colorado-zr2.html www.auto123.com/en/news/comparison-2020-jeep-gladiator-vs-2019-chevrolet-colorado-zr2/65822/

[@Sig721Tau]

colin paine Cool story, bro. This is a video about Jeeps, not a government motors made truck.

[@jeeplova]

More flaucing please,that was too short :)

[@freggo6604]

Nice but too expensive. Chicken Tax ? ( Google it if you do not know what it is)

[@dave3682]

Chicken tax only applies to pickups built outside of North America. The Gladiator is built in Toledo. Ohio. Like everything else in the industry, its only as expensive as you make it. You have to keep in mind that the Gladiator comes standard with as a crew-cab with a v6 and 4x4, all things most other brands make you pay extra for. For example, a base model Gladiator with the 8-speed automatic tranny is only a couple thousand dollars more expensive than a base model Toyota Tacoma with the crew-cab, v6, and 4x4 all optioned in. The small price gap between the two trucks is made up for when you consider that the base Gladiator is much more off-road capable than the base Tacoma and the Tacoma lacks any party tricks like the Gladiator's ability to have the top and doors removed. All-in-all, the Gladiator is pretty competitively priced from the base trim, its only when you start piling on option and climbing trims that the Gladiator starts to get a bit pricey compared to its peers.

[@freggo6604]

@@dave3682 You missed the point. The chicken tax prevents less expensive imports. So US car makers get away with overpriced products. It is a fact that SUVs, pickup trucks etc are far more profitable. Hence US carmakers produce fewer passenger cars or even retire entire lines. This may not sound like a problem, the price gauging aside, but consumers again get trained to buy huge, fuel inefficient vehicles. Naturally these are basically only for domestic use as export in significant numbers is impossible. Then the so called president can complain again that other countries do not buy American cars. Try driving or parking a big SUV or full size pickup truck in Paris, London or Berlin.

[@dave3682]

@@freggo6604 ohhhh, gotcha. You're right, I missed the point you were trying to make. But I have to disagree with the premise that the chicken tax makes vehicles expensive by eliminating cheap imports as the competition created by free market capitalism automatically keeps prices from getting out of hand as it ensures that any product that does not deliver enough 'bang for your buck' will fail as consumers purchase the products that do instead. (Admitably, in the auto business this doesn't always work out perfectly because American car buyers are idiots who buy vehicles based on looks, brand loyalties, or are suckered into buying the first vehicle they sit in by some cunning salesman instead of actually doing any research and actually buying the best vehicle for themselves in their price range.) Still, all that aside, the market cannot introduce any product that it's targeted consumer cannot afford or it will fail. Americans buy hoards of trucks and SUVs every year so obviously they can afford them (or at least most can) This creates a win-win for everyone involved as SUVs and trucks are generally far better vehicles than smaller vehicles and, like you said, they are also more profitable to sell for the company. But again, they are only profitable IF they sell, which means that they have to be competitively priced with the competition. Further, it could be argued that the chicken tax is the only reason America even has an auto industry today which creates billions of dollars annually for the economy and directly or indirectly employs hundreds of thousands of Americans. Just like how the Jones Act can also largely be credited as the reason that we still have an American Merchant Marine today, even though it also has it's imperfections.

[@tombyrne1142]

Test drove a Gladiator today. My impressions: 1) Steering is numb. No feel and overboosted. 2) The suspension is too isolated. The driver is completely disconnected from the road. 3) Dead slow, even for what it is. I drove one with the 6-speed. In spite of having an engine which is similar in every way to the V6 in my better half's 2019 4Runner that we drove to the test drive, the Gladiator was dead slow. Floored in second gear I could not get any pull out of it at any RPM. It rides like a fake car. By that I mean, you can't feel anything. Sorry, but this is far worse than my 2993 Willys that I bought brand new. In fact, it was the worst new car test drive experience except for the 2019 Wrangler we tested last year. That was a 4 cylinder automatic. What a dog. I have always been a Chrysler and Jeep fan. I currently own a 2007 Dakota Quad Cab with the 4.7 HO. In spite of having 112k on the clock, it drives and rides better than the Gladiator (although my 2004 rode better than my 2007. I also have a 99 Neon SCCA car and an 89 Shelby Dakota. Given the experience I had with the Jeeps and the cheap and artificial feel of the AWD Charger SXT I drove, I am done with Chrysler. I am hopeful that the forthcoming Ford Bronco will be a better vehicle.

[@gtrance3567]

Great truck but too $$ and bed is small.

[@Yourgirlinessa]

Let's not be ridiculous. It's a wrangler with a bed. They've obviously made the necessary changes to accommodate the longer wheelbase but everything else is exactly the same- never more obvious than the rear door ending SO far from the bed. Its a great looking truck and it's a really capable truck but it is by far the laziest thing to come out of the auto industry in some time now. They made no effort to make this thing unique. It should be taller. It should be wider. Its bed should be deeper. and it should feature more truck isms. THAT truck is worth the price of the current gladiator.

[@jeffbatchelor6489]

$52,000 Jeep Wrangler variant is disgusting.

[@fakebrake]

I do like the look, sad it's made by fiat.

[@BrandonPrentice]

Can somebody tell me specifically why everyone shits on the Fiat brand? I see these kind of comments all the time but I don't understand the bias against it (I know nothing about Fiat)

[@fakebrake]

@@BrandonPrentice simple. Look up reliability. Not good.

[@henrys.3399]

nah, way overpriced, i'll stick with Silverado

[@trinchiii51]

As a truck it sucks. Too expensive, not enough towing.

[@coziii.1829]

trinchiii51 Your crazy best in class Plus I have seen pickups at 73 to 87k This thing is cheap

[@jlv3x]

How does the towing suck if it's best in class?

[@angel2703504]

got cancer at min 7:02

[@wbl5649]

A pretty face don't make a pretty heart, its a Jeep it has a shitty reputation. And god forbid they combine the the Ford F150 with this design is as rumored, two awful brands.

[@BarbermanMalik]

I'm sorry, but For a "NEW" vehicle, that's one ugly looking vehicle!

[@propacit41]

Its just a base, your supposed to modify it, make it look like your own. After your done it will look bad ass to you.

[@bobcat5412]

Not sure how this qualifies as an ugly looking vehicle unless of course you dont like wranglers and if that's the case, why watch and comment. To each their own. I love it.

[@bikeryder757]

@@bobcat5412 I think the truck looks awesome! It is a matter of personal taste! Too bad I can't afford one! Trucks in general are way over priced IMHO.

[@RickZackExploreOffroad]

It's a case of function over form. Since it is incredibly capable, hence very functional, to me it is beautiful.

[@BarbermanMalik]

I guess I should have explained myself clearly. My thoughts on the look of this truck is, the truck stylings and the look is way to Retro/old looking. I'm not convinced since this is Jeeps newest edition to the pickup category, it is NOT an attractive looking vehicle, and I think they're not going to get a lot of Millennials has customer. In other words, this crap looks like a weekend project with you an a couple of your friends, that's gone bad. LBVVS.