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The Jeep Gladiator comes with some new upgrades in 2024. Does this offroad champion behave on paved roads? We look at trim options and more in our review.
What’s New for the 2024 Jeep Gladiator?
The 2024 Jeep Gladiator is the brand’s first serious refresh of the model since it first debuted in 2019. It comes with only a single engine choice and 4WD across the lineup. Buyers do get to choose between an automatic or manual gearbox across seven different trim levels. The Gladiator is unquestionably the best pickup to go off-roading with as its size and capability are specifically suited to the trails.
At first glance, it might be hard to spot but Jeep refreshed the Gladiator for 2024 with a slightly new face and a lot more interior content. It comes standard with a bigger infotainment system and with more side-curtain airbags. Sadly, the diesel engine is no longer available.
2024 Jeep Gladiator – jeep.com | Shop 2024 Jeep Gladiator on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
8/10
Powertrain
Score
8.25/10
Interior
Score
8/10
Technology
Score
7.75/10
Value
Score
8/10
The Breakdown
Open-air experience
Endlessly customizable
Real off-road capability
Only one engine
Poor on-road experience
Poor fuel economy
A compromise in truck form
2024 Gladiator Specs
- 285 horsepower from base engine
- 260 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 7 available trims
- New 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Standard side-curtain airbags
- 3 years of free maintenance
- Towing capacity of 7,700 lbs
2024 Jeep Gladiator Powertrain 8.25/10
The entire Gladiator lineup gets the same V6. It makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. That’s not all that much in a field of rivals that regularly offer over 300 horsepower. Still, the Gladiator comes with 4WD standard and offers a pair of excellent transmission options.
Most will likely choose the eight-speed automatic which is smooth and simple to use. Some will go for the standard six-speed manual gearbox though and they’ll be rewarded with good engagement and a consistent clutch pedal feel.
Sadly, that’s about the most engaging part of the on-road driving experience with the Gladiator. It’s amazing to drive off-road but on pavement, it’s a chore. The steering is numb, the body jitters and shakes over rough roads, and it feels slow to do just about anything. Off-road its removable doors and top are a fantastic feature. On the road though they contribute to heavy wind noise in the cabin.
On top of that, the Gladiator only gets up to 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. That’s tied with the Nissan Frontier at the back of the pack in the mid-sized pickup truck segment. To put it simply, we would only drive the Gladiator if towing, dirt, rocks, mud, or snow were in the plan for the day. Speaking of towing, this Jeep can tow up to 7,700 pounds and handle up to 1,700 pounds of payload.
That workman’s attitude shows up again when the road runs out as the Gladiator is simply better than any other truck in this segment in the dirt. Jeep’s rich history of off-roading prowess shows up and benefits the Gladiator with specific shocks, tires, and off-roading bits like rock rails to maximize off-road capability.
2024 Jeep Gladiator Interior 8/10
While the engine in the Gladiator is the same as it was last year and the exterior is only slightly changed, the interior is most clearly improved. The dash is updated with a new widescreen infotainment system and a pair of leather-trimmed seats are available on the top trims. The climate control system is powerful if not a bit loud at times but it accomplishes its goals without delay.
Overall, the cabin is largely practical and straightforward. As is the case in the Wrangler, crank windows and manual locks are standard on the base trim. Power locks and windows are standard on trims above it and those switches sit in the middle of the cabin.
Visibility is good and the seating is comfortable throughout the cabin. The rear seats are more spacious than those in the Wrangler Unlimited and can even be stowed in favor of additional cargo-carrying capacity. In fact, it’s in the realm of cargo and customizability that the Gladiator really stands out in this segment. Just like with the Wrangler, buyers have the choice to add all sorts of additional racks, storage spaces, off-road gadgets, and overlanding equipment to suit their needs.
2024 Jeep Gladiator Technology Features 7.75/10
A new 12.3-inch infotainment system is standard across the Jeep Gladiator lineup this year and it’s great. Utilizing Uconnect 5 as its user interface is a win for the brand and it provides customers with a quick, powerful, and easy-to-navigate system. It also incorporates wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for those who prefer it.
Every Gladiator also comes with a digital driver information display though it comes in two flavors. The base model consists of a small 3.5-inch display but a 7-inch fully-customizable unit is also available. Interestingly, every Gladiator also gets a minimum of eight speakers which is above average for the segment. A subwoofer and a portable wireless speaker are also available. Off-road trail cameras are also available and helpful.
In terms of safety tech, the Gladiator is far behind the competition. It offers exactly zero advanced driver safety aids. Buyers have to pay extra to get features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. These systems have proven to save lives and to not have them on such a large and unwieldy vehicle isn’t what we’d call putting safety first. On top of that, the IIHS has found that the front crash protection is poor and that the headlights are at best marginal.
2024 Jeep Gladiator Trims & Pricing
Sport – $41,085
The base Gladiator comes with 17-inch wheels, 32-inch all-season tires, crank windows, removable doors, a folding soft top, a fold-down windshield, cruise control, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and eight speakers.
Sport S – $44,585
The Sport S adds power windows, body-colored fenders, power door locks, powered wing mirrors, and gray 17-inch wheels.
Willys – $46,890
This trim includes 32-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails, a locking rear differential, LED headlights, a class IV tow hitch, dual-zone automatic climate control, a larger driver information display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Mojave – $58,230
This trim is made for desert running and features 33-inch all-terrain tires, fenders with more tire clearance, a locking rear differential, FOX internal bypass shock absorbers and hydraulic jounce bumpers, upgraded cloth upholstery, rock rails, skid plates, and a two-speed transfer case.
Rubicon – $58,230
The Rubicon has most of the same features as the Mojave but as it’s made for rock crawling it also gets a front locking differential and a disconnectable front sway bar.
Mojave X – $64,890
This trim adds heated and ventilated front seats with leather upholstery, automatic high beams, steel bumpers, and a body-colored three-piece hardtop.
Rubicon X – $64,890
This trim adds all of the same extra features from the Mojave X but keeps the rest of the Rubicon features.
2024 Jeep Gladiator Overall Value 8/10
The value proposition of the Gladiator lives and dies on how one uses it. Those who love off-road, soft-roading, and overlanding won’t find a better option. It really is unquestionably the best in the segment when it comes to those aspects of design and execution. On the other hand, it requires the buyer to make big trade-offs regarding ride comfort, fuel economy, driver feedback, and price.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8/10
2024 Jeep Gladiator – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2024 Jeep Gladiator on Carsforsale.com
Ultimately, the Gladiator is not a good truck to drive on the road. To me, that means that unless off-roading is a regular part of your life, you should avoid this truck. Sure, it looks cool, and it’s objectively very capable off-road but if your driving life is 99% on paved roads then the Gladiator is far less engaging and enjoyable when compared to any other truck in the segment.
2024 Jeep Gladiator FAQ
When did Jeep Gladiators Come Out?
The Jeep Gladiator was released in 2019.
Can a Jeep Gladiator Tow a Camper?
The Jeep Gladiator can tow a camper that weighs no more than 7,700 pounds.
Which Jeep Gladiator is best for off-roading?
This depends on the type of off-roading one wants to do. High-speed desert running is done best with the Mojave X and rock crawling is best accomplished with the Rubicon X.
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