Jeep Gladiator Willys Sport Review (With a MANUAL Transmission)

The Gladiator was precisely what everyone was asking for, and is now one of the only two pickups on the market that can be purchased with a manual transmission! I borrowed this Willys Sport from Pierce Auto Center to review and show you everything you need to know about a nearly base model Gladiator and if it is something you might want to buy for yourself.
Thank you, Pierce Auto Center, for letting me borrow this Gladiator to review: www.pierceautocenter.com/
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[@miporsche]

I'm probably about to buy a Carmax 2021 version, very similar. Manual, cloth top. I enjoyed the test drive. Will sleep on it.

[@Eddie-yc5yd]

Jeep should have made a 2 door version.

[@Redfour5]

One thing I've noticed is that factor spray in bedliners from RAM/Jeep are actually my preferred ones...

[@srussia2281]

Manual is the BEST ❤

[@garyschatz3718]

There is still no manual transmission truck available with a decent bed. The Comanche bed was longer than this “bed”.

[@Jamesthor]

I’ve been researching the automatic versus manual transmission. Most off-roaders want an automatic. Then the other factor is today’s traffic. Who wants to sit in traffic, shifting gears and working a clutch for an hour? That is unless your left calf does not have the definition of your right calf and you need to work it out on a daily basis. And Jeep felt the need to up charge you $2500-$4500 for this option. My opinion anyway.

[@readysetrev]

That's an interesting take! I don't think its worth an upcharge of that amount. However, I have always enjoyed driving a good manual transmission. It's less about practicality, and more about enjoyment.

[@AStanton1966]

I have a 2023 Wrangler Willys with the stick. In my opinion, that 6th gear is worthless. I cruised fine on the highway at 65-70mph in 5th. Jeep should delete that 6th gear and move the reverse down to where it was instead. And if I made one more recommendation, all Jeeps should come with a trailer hitch and the aux switch package. You have to assume, while most peple may not tow, they made want to carry a bike rack. And most will add a light or winch to their Jeep. Also know that the automatic Jeeps have a nice grommet to slice through in the engine firewall for additional wiring, if you didn't get the aux switches. The manual tranny Jeeps don't make it as obvious where to drill through the firewall.

[@wadelayton9033]

I don’t believe those tires are stock and it appears to have a lift/level kit. 2024s will have radio antenna inside the front windshield. The stubby antenna isn’t factory either. I have the manual in a 21 Jeep JLU sport. I enjoy it…but I am just a manual fanboy. The autos have gotten so good it’s impossible to fault anyone for taking that feature. Especially as you do modification with larger tires etc. Not as bad in the Gladiator b/c it comes with a 3.73 rear end and the sport JLU wranglers start with a 3.43 rear end. On my jeep, just moving up to Rubicon take off wheels/tires there is a noticeable loss of power that you might not notice if you had the automatic b/c of the effective higher rear end with more gears. I love that still offer manuals. I would buy another one. But I am weird like that :). I also have manual windows and locks. The manual locks is probably the most aggravation. The Gadi’s now come standard with Dana 44 axles, which is nice. Base sport wrangler have weaker axles.

[@readysetrev]

Thanks for all the added information here! I appreciate it.

[@DV8shredder]

Too bad you can't buy one right now, universal clutch recall has a stop sale on all manual gladiators and wranglers

[@readysetrev]

Interesting!

[@garyschatz3718]

The reasons why I don’t want one: my F150 has a real bed. I have 395 hp and get better gas mileage. Mine drives better on the highway. My body won’t rust like the Jeep. I would like to remove roof panels and shift gears but I would miss the other things.

[@readysetrev]

Those are fair points!