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The Gladiator is a mid-size pickup truck with the offroad chops of a Wrangler. We look at interior, technology and more to see how the Gladiator stacks up.
2025 Jeep Gladiator – jeep.com | Shop 2025 Jeep Gladiator on Carsforsale.com
What is New for the 2025 Jeep Gladiator
Is the Jeep Gladiator a “real truck,” or a Wrangler with extra steps? Ultimately, it doesn’t matter because what the Gladiator really is one of Jeep’s halo vehicles. A fitting ambassador for a brand Americans cherish more than any other. For 2025, Jeep is adding in an all-new 4xe powertrain (which is not fully revealed at the time of writing). Additionally power locks and windows are now standard and there are two new colors added: Fathom Blue and Olive Drab. Sadly, the manual transmission is now longer available.
Carsforsale.com Score
7.75/10
Powertrain
Score
7.75/10
Interior
Score
8/10
Technology
Score
8/10
Value
Score
7.25/10
The Breakdown
Classic Wrangler-inspired styling
Great customization
Excellent off-roader
Okay engine power but bad fuel economy
Poor on-road characteristics
No more manual gearbox
Beware poor Jeep build quality
2025 Gladiator Specs
- 285 horsepower from base engine
- 260 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- Towing capacity of 7,700 lbs
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- 3 years of free maintenance
2025 Jeep Gladiator Drivetrain 7.75/10
We desperately wanted something new or exciting to show in the engine department for 2025. Well, the answer to whether we get that or not is both yes and no. Your only engine choice at the moment is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 jetting 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. On the face of it, the horsepower numbers aren’t the worst in the world. But gosh, wouldn’t it be nice for a truck of this caliber to have more torque?
Admittedly, Jeep confirmed it’s bringing their 4xe four-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain to the Gladiator platform later this year. However, the specifics of whether these will be separate from the straight-ICE Gladiator with bespoke trim lineups is still being speculated.
For the moment, you get what’s admittedly a decent powertrain, one that sprints from zero to 60 in around 8.5 seconds. Fuel economy is acceptable for the Gladiators V6 engine with 17 MPGs in the city and 22 on the highway, or about 19 combined. Towing capacity of 7,700 lbs is at the top of the segment, offering 1,200 lbs more towing than the Tacoma or Frontier, and matching the towing capabilities of the Chevrolet Colorado.
When you factor in that a six-speed manual transmission is not returning for 2025, you can’t help but feel like you’re getting less for your money this year over the last. The Wrangler and its Gladiator cousin are two of the last vehicles in North America with a strong contingent of stick-shift drivers, the absence of a manual option feels like a punch to the gut.
2025 Gladiator Interior 8/10
Rear legroom is admirable, all things considered. You get just as much as you do in the equivalent Wrangler Unlimited – 38.3 inches. Like a Wrangler, these seats can be stowed away to add at least a couple dozen extra cubic feet of cargo space inside the cabin. Upholstery options come in four different flavors this year.
With cloth, leather, and premium variants for both depending on the trim, the Gladiator can be a pretty nice place to sit if you opt for a higher options package. Is it nicer than a Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger? Probably not, but at least the Gladiator is far from cramped and has the option of comfortable leather seats.
2025 Gladiator Tech and Features 8/10
Still riding high after a pivotal mid-cycle interior refresh, the 2025 Gladiator is much improved over earlier examples. Its 12.3-inch center screen is just as big as a 2025 Frontier and far larger than the eight-inch unit you get in a base Tacoma. Admittedly, up-trimmed Tacoma’s do get a larger 14-inch center screen. But we don’t think anyone would complain about screen fidelity with either brand.
A 3.5-inch information display is standard between the speedometer and tachometer pods, and a seven-inch display is available as an option. No in-house developed driving UI is quite as nice as what iOS and Google spend billions on, but the Uconnect 5 system in this Gladiator has been one of Jeep’s real highlights over the last couple of years. With eight speakers for the stereo, it’s about on par with the rest of the industry in this form factor. Add removable body panels that make for the only open-air pickup on the market, and that’s one of the better gimmicks in the modern truck space. There are a few new exterior colors as well for added flair.
2025 Jeep Gladiator Trims & Pricing
Sport – $38,695
As basic of a mid-size truck as Jeep currently builds. Historically, this is the trim sought after for its six-speed manual gearbox. Not so anymore, but you do get a big center screen, the same USB connectivity, and durable cloth seats for all your off-roading escapades. Not bad for the price.
Nighthawk – $41,490
Named after a 90s-era US Air Force stealth aircraft, the Gladiator Nighthawk has a partially blacked-out exterior. One complete with lots of Nighthawk-specific exterior trim pieces and black 20-inch wheels on all-terrain tires.
Sport S – $41,600
A totally different theme from the Nighthawk for not much more money, the Sport S is the proper next step up from the base Sport trim. We’re talking remote key entry, and yes, the previous trims go without it. But also heated mirrors, removable doors, a removable soft top, and 17-inch gray wheels. Adaptive cruise control also appears in this trim.
Willys – $45,795
Eight decades plus of heritage wrapped up in a tasteful trim package. Complete with Willy’s specific trim pieces and decals, plus LED headlights, tail lights, fog lamps, and Jeep’s clever Tru-Lok rear axle.
Mojave – $51,695
A desert-optimized package instead of the typical train-rated trims previously. That means you get 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks up front and in the rear.
Rubicon – $51,695
An equivalent trim to the desert-rated Mojave trim, but with an emphasis on trail performance instead. That means you get a clever electronic sway bar disconnect feature to navigate complex woodland terrain.
Rubicon X – $61,695
Much the same as the Rubicon trim but with a little extra razzle-dazzle. Namely, power front seats with an impressive 12 points of adjustment, plus an Alpine premium stereo system.
Mojave X – $61,695
The equivalent trim to the Rubicon X, but matching the trail-rated theme of its lower-trimmed Mojave cousin.
2025 Gladiator Overall Value 7.25/10
We get it. The Jeep life is a tantalizing prospect. But the Gladiator is a big investment, and your money will go further with any of the other mid-sized trucks on the market. That’s especially true because the Gladiator is not even remotely a cheap truck. Especially on the higher end, you’re in Ford Ranger Raptor or a Tacoma TRD Pro.
The truth is simple. If you don’t spend at fair amount of time driving off-road, you’re doing yourself a great disservice. In every other facet, a Frontier, Colorado, Ranger, or Tacoma does a better job than a Gladiator while only being marginally less capable off-road.
2025 Gladiator Overall Score 7.75/10
2025 Jeep Gladiator – jeep.com | Shop 2025 Jeep Gladiator on Carsforsale.com
If the Gladiator’s your thing, all the power to you. But there are better options out there for most people. However, dare we recommend a late 90s-vintage Jeep Comanche instead? It’d probably be more reliable.
2025 Jeep Gladiator FAQ
How much can a Jeep Gladiator tow?
The Jeep Gladiator can tow between 6,000 and 7,700 lbs depending on the trim
What year did the Jeep Gladiator come out?
The Jeep Gladiator was introduced at the 2018 Los Angeles International auto show and went on sale in the spring of 2019 for the 2020 model year.
How long is the bed on the Jeep Gladiator?
The Jeep Gladiator’s rear bed measures 60.3 long x 44.8 inches wide
