The Jeep faithful has been clamoring for a pickup
ever since the Gladiator concept was introduced at the 2005 North American Auto
Show. Now, 14 years later, their wait is almost over as the company has begun
shipping the production pickup to dealerships. Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto
Show last fall, the 2020 Gladiator is billed as the “most capable midsize truck
ever” as it has excellent off-roading abilities and a best-in-class towing
capacity of up to 3,470 kg.
Styling is heavily influenced by the Wrangler and
the Gladiator is the only truck in the segment to have a removable roof. A soft
top comes standard, but customers can also order a black or body color
three-piece hardtop. The interior largely carries over from the Wrangler, but the
Gladiator has unique rear seats which can fold flat to allow for loading of
larger items. The rear seats can also be folded up into a “stadium” position to
reveal a hidden storage bin underneath.
The Gladiator is being launched with a familiar
3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that produces 285 hp and 352 Nm of torque. It is connected to a six-speed manual transmission,
but an eight-speed automatic is also available. Next year, Jeep will offer a
3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 599 Nm of
torque. The engine should appeal to drivers who want to tow with their
Gladiator, but it will only be available with an automatic gearbox.
Pricing starts at US$ 33,545 and the entry-level Gladiator
Sport comes equipped with air conditioning, Keyless Go and a Uconnect 3
infotainment system with 5-inch touchscreen display. The model also has 17-inch
steel wheels, Dana 44 axles and a Command-Trac four-wheel drive system.
