Jeep Gladiator

[cpaharley2008]

Ran into a Jeep Gladiator owner yesterday and I asked him if he would buy it again. He said "No", he only gets about 12-13 mpg, the truck bed is only 4' long and he needs a step stool to get into the vehicle. Course he had 35" wheels on the item but still that mileage would drop to single digits while towing. Way too much vehicle with the off road wheels for the motor.

[Micheal K]

So far, there’s only one cab/bed configuration on the gladiator. The bed is 5’ long. If he didn’t get that right, his mpg numbers are probably off too. The base pentastar engine is not great for fuel economy though.
Jeep is now showing wranglers with the 3.0 l ecodiesel, supposedly for sale this year. The gladiator is slated for the diesel as well, not sure if planned release is this year as well.

[cpaharley2008]

I thought the Eco was being dropped due to it issues in the Ram 1500? Maybe a smaller vehicle may do better?

[Micheal K]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I thought the Eco was being dropped due to it issues in the Ram 1500? Maybe a smaller vehicle may do better?

I know the engine has had it’s share of problems but hadn’t heard it was being dropped in the Ram. Looks like you can still build a 2020 Ram 1500 with the ecodiesl on their website.

There are quite a few first impressions for the 2020 diesel wrangler on youtube, I would expect the gladiator to have very similar performance. In terms of reliability, the engine is pretty much the same as is in the ram (same hp, a bit less torque).

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Ran into a Jeep Gladiator owner yesterday and I asked him if he would buy it again. He said "No", he only gets about 12-13 mpg, the truck bed is only 4' long and he needs a step stool to get into the vehicle. Course he had 35" wheels on the item but still that mileage would drop to single digits while towing. Way too much vehicle with the off road wheels for the motor.

Hi: cpaharley2008... Sure hope he's a fast healer!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Doug2000]

The Jeep Gladiator I saw advertised was $61,000 CAD for the V6??

I paid $34,000 CAD for a new Tundra SR5+ DC 4X4 4.6L, perfect for my E19 that will be finished this week. Yipeee

EcoDiesel, my buddy blew his water pump at 45,000 miles ouch, not impressed at all, I wish it was a Cummins 2.8L

[Radar1]

I thought the diesel in the Gladiator might be good for towing, but not according to this article. Jeep Gladiator diesel.

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by Radar1

I thought the diesel in the Gladiator might be good for towing, but not according to this article. Jeep Gladiator diesel.

I'd say their general comments on the cost of the Gladiator are on point. Like for like spec, it seems to run more expensive than anything else in the mid-size pickup class.

I'm not sure how to take their towing challenges. They tried one 5200 lb trailer with no WDH on two different trucks. Both had clear sway problems. Is that really conclusive though? If I could ask them questions:

1) Does that trailer tow OK in a ball-pull config on any other trucks they have tried?
2) Did they weigh the tongue weight?
3) How about trying a competent hitch. A 5200 lb trailer is a lot for a mid-size pickup and not something I'd likely have tried without a WDH.
4) Did they try the diesel Gladiators with any other trailers?

Their other complaint on power seems amiss too. The 3.0 ecodiesel generates 260hp, which is pretty close to the rated power level of most mid-size pickup gas V6 options.


I'm not a fan of the Gladiator, but this test seems to have run into problems that called for more investigation.

[EdColorado]

Off-road competition from Ford coming soon.
F 150:Tremor.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/ca...or/3855405001/

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

I'm not sure how to take their towing challenges. They tried one 5200 lb trailer with no WDH on two different trucks. Both had clear sway problems. Is that really conclusive though? If I could ask them questions:

1) Does that trailer tow OK in a ball-pull config on any other trucks they have tried?
2) Did they weigh the tongue weight?
...

I'm not a fan of the Gladiator, but this test seems to have run into problems that called for more investigation.

I agree that the test is not credible. They did not check that trailer's tongue weight (they quoted a weight "per the manufacturer"), and the trailer was likely not stable.

That does not necessarily mean that the Gladiator (in any configuration) is a good tow vehicle for a trailer of this size, only that the test as reported is not useful.