Jeep · 2019–present

Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured by the Jeep division of Stellantis North America (formerly FCA US). It was introduced at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 28, 2018, and went on sale in the spring of 2019 as a 2020 model. Based on the same platform as the Wrangler JL, the Gladiator is Jeep's first pickup truck since the Comanche was discontinued in 1992, although the very similar dual-cab AEV Brute was custom-made using the Wrangler platform from 2013 until 2017 by American Expedition Vehicles under license. The first markets outside the Americas were Australia and New Zealand. It is now also marketed in China, Japan, South Korea, South Africa as well as in selected nations in South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

All Jeep Gladiator data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

History

The vehicle's name harkens back to the original Jeep Gladiator, made from 1962 until 1988 and known as the J-Series after 1971. Jeep considered reviving the Gladiator name alongside Comanche and, most commonly, Scrambler, as well as simply using a new name, before deciding on Gladiator, feeling it fits the truck the best. A two-door version of a Jeep Scrambler pickup based on a lengthened Wrangler was shown in 2003 at the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting. In late 2004, the Jeep Gladiator concept was introduced. The 2005 Gladiator Concept did not feature a removable roof, but had removable doors and a pickup bed. It also previewed the design of the upcoming Jeep Wrangler (JK). The Gladiator concept was powered by a 3.0 L Common-Rail Diesel (CRD) engine produced by VM Motori (similar to the one used in some models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee), mated to a manual transmission, and four-wheel-drive. It featured functional rear mini-doors and rear passenger seating. The Gladiator concept featured a green-on-gray color scheme for both the exterior and interior.

Exterior design

The four-door, five-passenger mid-size Gladiator features exterior and interior styling cues from the Jeep Wrangler (JL). Taylor Langhals was the lead exterior designer on Gladiator. Because a truck is frequently used for both hauling and towing, the front grille slots were enlarged to allow for increased airflow and heavier-duty engine cooling. A full-sized spare tire, normally mounted on the Wrangler's rear tailgate, is mounted underneath the cargo bed of the Gladiator. Four different roof options are available, similar to those on the Wrangler JL, including a black vinyl Sun-Rider soft top and a premium black fabric Sun-Rider soft top (both of which can be fully retracted), a black Freedom-Top three-piece hard top, and a color-keyed Freedom-Top three-piece hard top, both of which have removable roof panels over the front row of seating. The truck has front and rear doors that can be fully removed, as well as a windshield that can be lowered (like the Wrangler JL). Jeep includes a tool kit with the tools necessary to remove the doors and lower the windshield. The Gladiator is unique in that it is the only truck available with a convertible folding soft top. A front-facing trail cam, mounted in one of the front grille slots, is also available that displays an image on the touchscreen of what is directly in front of the vehicle (this feature requires one of the two larger U Connect touchscreen displays), and will assist in off-road maneuverability, such as water fording, as well as climbing over objects like logs and rocks. The "Off Road Pages" application, displayed in the instrument cluster, allows a Gladiator driver to view approach and departure angles, steering angles, and more.

Powertrain

At launch, the sole engine on the Jeep Gladiator was the 3.6 L Pentastar gasoline V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing, producing 285 hp (213 kW; 289 PS) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) of torque. However, for three years starting with the 2021 model year, the 3.0 L EcoDiesel Turbocharged diesel V6 engine was available as an option, producing 260 hp (194 kW; 264 PS) and 442 lb⋅ft (599 N⋅m) of torque. The EcoDiesel engine was available on all trim levels of the Gladiator except the Mojave trim. Gasoline-powered Gladiators offer the option of either the six-speed manual Aisin AL6 (D478), or the Chrysler-manufactured version of the ZF 8HP transmission automatic transmission.Diesel-powered Gladiators offer only the 8HP75 automatic version of the ZF 8HP transmission. All powertrain options are derived from the Jeep Wrangler (JL); however, unlike the Wrangler JL, the Gladiator does not offer the turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine as an option. The V6 diesel engine was withdrawn after 2023 with the last diesel models designated FarOut editions. Like the Jeep Wrangler (JL) on which it shares a platform, all Gladiator models come standard with four wheel drive. There are four systems available: the Command-Trac part-time system, available on all models except for the off-road-oriented Rubicon, the Selec-Trac full-time system, also available on all models except for the Rubicon, and two versions of the Rock-Trac system on the Rubicon (both with 4.10 gear ratios): either a standard part-time version or an optional full-time version. For the 2025 model year, Jeep announced that it will be bringing its 4Xe hybrid powertrain to the Gladiator as well. It was expected to use the same 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder setup from the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4Xe. On September 22, 2025, Stella

Trim levels

The Gladiator is available in Sport, Sport S, Overland (until 2023), Willys Sport (2021–2023), Willys (from 2021), limited edition Freedom (2021–2023), Mojave, and Rubicon trim levels. For 2020, and again in 2023, a limited edition High Altitude trim level was offered, as the most expensive Gladiator model. From 2024, there are new top-of-the-line Mojave X and Rubicon X models. Upon its launch in 2020, a limited-edition Rubicon Launch Edition model was offered, limited to 4,190 units. The Gladiator and equivalent Wrangler JL diverge when it comes to their luxury trim levels. The luxury Wrangler is named "Sahara", while the luxury trim Gladiator was the "Overland" model. When equipped with leather upholstery, the Overland received a stitched soft-touch dashboard surface and a hand-stitched dashboard, similar to that of the Wrangler Sahara. In Australia and New Zealand, trim levels were Sport S, Overland and Rubicon for 2020-2021 models. From 2022, trim levels were reduced to Night Eagle and Rubicon to bring the range in line with the Compass, Wrangler, and Grand Cherokee portfolios in terms of variant names for that market. Features-wise, the Night Eagle trim level is similar to the equivalent Willys Sport trim level in the United States. As with European models, Australian models came with the higher-spec LED taillights to allow for amber turn signals. All models are sold with only the petrol 3.6 L V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission. For the Middle Eastern market, the Sport, Overland, and Rubicon models were sold in United Arab Emirates, and member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The U.S. Mojave model was introduced in 2021 and renamed Sandrunner for the Middle East. Available models are Sport and Sandrunner only. In South Africa, Japan, and South Korea only

Payload and towing capacities

Payload capacity varies by trim. The minimum is 1,000 lb (450 kg) and the maximum payload is 1,700 lb (770 kg) for the Sport S with 3.6 L V6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission. The bed of the truck can be optionally equipped with a rear folding tonneau cover, which features a "Weekend Warrior Mode" that allows for the tailgate to be closed and 2x4-inch lumber to be hauled in the pickup bed. Only one section of the tonneau cover can be open, and the cover can also be fully retracted or removed if required. The tailgate is hinged and can be locked in a partially-open position if the tailgate does not need to be fully down. Towing capacity also varies. The standard Gladiator features a towing capacity of 4,000 lb (1,800 kg). A heavy-duty towing package is available on select Gladiator Sport models, increasing the towing capacity to 7,650 lb (3,470 kg) and includes a 4.10 rear axle ratio. Rubicon models with automatic transmissions tow 7,000lb. The diesel-powered Gladiator will feature a lower towing capacity rating than the gasoline-powered variant.

Off-roading

The Gladiator features an approach angle of 43.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.3 degrees, and a departure angle of 26 degrees. The Rubicon comes with front- and rear-axle electric lockers and an electronically disconnecting front sway bar. A front camera system is available on the Gladiator that allows the driver to see obstacles in front and to the sides of the vehicle while off-road. Information to help with monitoring the vehicle during off-roading can be found in the Off-road Pages, which are contained in the Apps section of the Uconnect infotainment system.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Jeep Gladiator (JT)

aka

Jeep JT (Mexico)

Manufacturer

Jeep

Production

April 2019–present

Model years

2020–present

Assembly

United States: Toledo, Ohio (Toledo Complex)

Designer

Taylor Langhals

Engine

3.6 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline), 3.0 L EcoDiesel V6 turbo (diesel)

Transmission

6-speed Aisin AL6 (D478) manual, 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic

Class

Mid-size pickup truck

Body style

4-door pickup truck with removable roof and doors

Related

Jeep Wrangler (JL)

Layout

Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Predecessor

Jeep CJ-10, Jeep Comanche

Kerb weight

4650 -

Wheelbase

137.3 in

Length

218.0 in

Width

73.8 in

Height

73.1 -

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60756198CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Gladiator_(JT)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1372425844 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2020_Jeep_Gladiator_Sport_S,_front_right,_06-15-2025.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: MercurySable99 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.jeep.com/gladiator.htmlLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

More from Jeep