The new Gladiator is a long-awaited entrant into the storied brand, a midsize truck meant to compete against the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado. Dressed in a flaming red suit with boxy proportions that heavily contrast today’s popular aero-slick shapes, it’s certainly got presence. What other truck lets you unhook the doors, tear the roof off, fold flat the front windshield, and drive around looking like Bear Grylls in search of his overnight hotel? Yes, there’s leather in our Gladiator.
The Gladiator name sounds wicked, queueing up fond memories of Jeep pickups from the sixties, or Russell Crowe kicking ass in the Roman Colosseum. But you will be paying a pretty penny to enter this theme park. The base Gladiator Sport S starts at 43.876 USD, while the Rubicon model that we’re driving begins at 49.627 USD, with all our bells and whistles pushing it up to 66.055 USD. That gets you the most off-road capable truck that Jeep currently offers, with a lift kit, rugged all-terrain tires, FOX shocks on all four corners, a wider front, and rear track, locking differentials, an electronically disconnecting front sway bar, and a 4:10:1 ratio. And if you must know, it can tow up to 7,650 lbs, gaining commercial workhorse credentials.
In the pandemic era, the Rubicon is clearly overkill. Yes, the beefy tires will let you squish those peskily high curbs, and the lift kit means you can peer over every other Prius when eyeing for those coveted parking spots. Hell, you can pretty much create your own parking spot on the nearby hill at this point. Of note, the off-road button and red-colored diff locker switch will need the occasional dusting. But is it any comfortable to drive? No, not in the slightest. All body-on-frame Jeeps are a bit wobbly, shaky, and unnerving on the streets.
