2020 Jeep Gladiator Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
For off-road enthusiasts, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a seriously fun ride. Pickup lovers tend to agree. This midsize truck has plenty of power and ample capability. Shoppers will find this truck has a unique personality plus Jeep's distinctive color palette and available Mopar accessories.
What’s New for 2020?
The Gladiator is a completely new model. While it shares many traits with the Wrangler, it isn't really a Wrangler knock-off. Between the wheels, the Gladiator is 19.4 inches longer. This allows the truck to offer more second-row legroom than the SUV. Overall the vehicle is a total of 34 inches longer than the regular Wrangler.
Offered in Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon, the menu sounds similar to the Wrangler's. However, there's also an exclusive Gladiator Launch edition. Production is limited to less than 5,000.
The current engine is Jeep's well-known V6. As it does for the Wrangler, the engine produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. There's a standard six-speed manual and Jeep's new eight-speed automatic transmission. Jeep has added automatic stop-start to this truck. That allows drivers to save fuel at redlights. On the trail, they can turn this feature off.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Jeep Gladiator – The Pros
1. Only Convertible Truck on the Market
If you have wondered what it would be like to have both a convertible and a truck, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is the answer. The removable soft top is complemented by a folding windshield and removable doors. To turn it into a convertible, the Sunrider Soft top can be put down once the rear window and quarter panels are removed. The Freedom Hard Top has two removable panels for an open air feel. However, you can also remove the roof entirely for a day of open air driving.
2. Serious Off-roader
For the introductory price, every Gladiator buyer is getting a serious off-roader. Jeep has pulled out all of the stops. There are special details like the waterproof push-button start that you won't find anywhere else. Rubicon models are the best equipped. The four-wheel drive is upgraded to Dana 44 wide heavy-duty axles and a Rock-Track system with crawl capability. In addition to a pair of locking differentials, an electronic disconnecting sway bar allows for more front wheel articulation.
3. Better Ride Quality
This truck has borrowed the popular Ram 1500's five-link suspension. This makes the 2020 Jeep Gladiator more manageable for drivers and, just as importantly, more comfortable for riders. The Ram five-link suspension has been impressing reviewers for years. Gladiators are the first trucks outside of the Ram family to adopt the five-link style.
4. Exclusive Build
Like the Wrangler, every inch of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator has been designed with the trail in mind. Bumpers, wheel arches and other features are built high off the ground. Ground clearance is ten inches. If you choose the Rubicon, the truck boasts 11 inches of clearance. This tall stance and Jeep's exclusive waterproofing allows the Gladiator to rumble through a small stream or a deep puddle without causing too much owner anxiety. Of course, with its tall stance and four-wheel drive, this truck shouldn't have much trouble handling a snowy road.
5. Terrific Tow Capability
From the outset, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator can handle up to 4,000 pounds in trailer weight. Gladiator Sahara models can tow more than 6,000 pounds, and Rubicons raise that to 7,000 pounds. The new diesel will do even better than that. Top payload is 1,600 pounds. These ratings demonstrate how tough the truck's build really is. Certainly these figures will tempt buyers in the building trades.
6. Smart Utility Features
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator can prove itself on features alone. There are ideas you'd only find at Jeep, such as the rainproof, portable Bluetooth speaker and an all-weather electric outlet. For utility, there's a special three-position tailgate. Damped, it is easy to lift and lower. The special mid position is just right for hauling sheet cargo. A unique trail rail system helps you secure cargo. Inside the cabin, a lockable storage bin is available for valuable items.
7. Stylish Packaging
Taking cues from the Wrangler, the Gladiator establishes its own style. The broad color palette includes fun shades like Punk'n Metallic and Firecracker Red. The interior offers variety, too. Overland seats are available in a rich heritage tan as an alternative to black cloth. Rubicons are offered with a dark saddle leather. The available black and red leather combination adds an exciting red to the dash as well. A wrapped dashboard adds softness that will surprise some who expect the interior to be as rugged as the exterior. Speaking of pleasant surprises, the front and rear cupholders are illuminated.
8. Ample Dash Tech
Gladiators offer the new UConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With a iphone or Android phone, you can stream maps to the screen and utilize your phone's voice commands. Truthfully, the technology is easy to use whether or not you utilize the Apple or Android upgrade. A five-inch screen, USB port, and Bluetooth are standards on the S. This screen is a more generous 7 inches on the Overland. If you want navigation, you can step up to the large 8.4-inch UConnect screen.
9. Serious Safety Tech with Driver Assistance
Like many of its rivals, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is offering a whole suite of driver assistance devices. The automatic braking system is linked to a frontal collision warning. This can spare you from low-speed fender benders. It may prevent or reduce the severity of a high-speed rear-end collision. Jeep makes this system available on the affordable S Sport. Available on higher editions, a blind spot monitor can detect traffic on either side of the truck. The rear cross path alert does the same while in reverse.
10. Smart About Hauling
Good towing and payload ratings are just two examples of the way that Jeep makes sure the 2020 Jeep Gladiator can work for its owner. The whole system is geared to move a load. The bed is constructed from high strength steel. Trailer Sway Control helps manage gravity's pull. Hill Start Assist holds the truck in place until you hit the gas. To make sure you can stop even when a load is heavy, a hydraulic brake assist is standard. The ParkView rearview camera will help the driver line up the hitch. This should mean less trouble when hooking up a trailer.
11. Remarkable Customization
While the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is offered with only the two-row cab and the five-foot bed, the Gladiator is still remarkably customizable. Drivers who are worried about winter weather can claim dual-zone automatic heat, a heated steering wheel, and heated front seats. Packages allow you to add favorite style features to different trim levels. Like the Wrangler, there are many MoPar accessories to make the Gladiator more distinctive. Likewise, MoPar offers ways to make the Gladiator even tougher.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Jeep Gladiator – The Cons
1. Budget Limitations
If your budget is limited, you may need to look at a different midsize truck. Most competitors start off with a lower pricetag. Furthermore, off-roaders can look to the regular two-door Wrangler or four-door Wrangler Unlimited, and they will have the trail capability they want.
2. Fuel Economy Concerns
There are four-cylinder Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyons that have much better fuel economy. Gladiators drink gas like any truck. This means their fuel economy is below the average SUV or car. It earns 23 miles per gallon on the highway. It must be noted here that this is comparable to those same rivals with a V6 engine. Plus, the Gladiator's four-wheel drivetrain has already been included in the assessment. Some rival four-wheel trucks will earn less.
3. Only One Configuration
If your truck purchase is for business, it may trouble you that the Gladiator only comes with the short bed. This may not be enough room to carry the equipment and materials you need on the job.
4. Lane Departure Warning
The one safety feature that isn't on the Gladiator menu is a lane departure warning. Rivals such as the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Honda Ridgeline are offering this system.
5. Waiting for More Engine Choices
Some shoppers will find themselves waiting for the upcoming diesel edition of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. It has great potential for business. It will handle more than 7,500 pounds in towing. On the other hand, some shoppers may wait to see if Jeep comes out with a Gladiator turbo. This isn't a long shot since the Wrangler started offering a thrifty turbo four this year.
Conclusion
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator may be new, but it is claiming its place in American life. It is only fitting that it should make such a grand entrance, given its association with the iconic Wrangler. Off-roaders and pickup truck drivers may get into arguments about its best qualities. One thing's for sure, this truck won't disappoint its owner on any level.
