Look back into the automotive history books and ask yourself this question. What’s been missing in the last 30 years? Your answer is this: The Jeep truck!
Jeep recently introduced the 2020 Gladiator, which is its first pickup truck in almost 30 years, and it is rolling onto dealer lots as we speak. Its body style is obviously Wrangler inspired, but what other similarities and differences do the two possess? This article highlights just a few of the highlights of both vehicles.
- Exterior - The distinction is obvious in that the Gladiator is a truck and has a bed, while the Wrangler has its signature, boxy SUV design. Both vehicles have the exact same Jeep classic removable doors, a windshield that folds down. They are both available in hard and soft tops, which are both removable.
- Trim Packages - The Wrangler and Gladiator are offered in basically matching trim packages, with one exception. Both begin at the base "Sport" model. The next level up is the "Sport S," which adds basics like air conditioning, power equipment, and a larger digital screen. The higher end Wrangler sports the "Sahara" name, while the luxury trim on the Gladiator is known as the "Overland". The highest trim level of both vehicles is the Rubicon, which comes with a variety of features that prepare both vehicles for heavy off-road use.
- Dimensions - A Wrangler Unlimited is 188 inches long, 74 inches wide and 74 inches tall, and has a wheelbase of 118.4 inches. Because the Gladiator is a truck with a bed, it differs significantly from the Wrangler is in its length. The new Gladiator is 219 inches long, which is 31 inches longer than the Wrangler Unlimited. The Gladiator's bed is 5 feet in length
- Interior – The inside of both vehicles is virtually the same although the Gladiator has added second-row seating. The Gladiator's rear seat features an underneath lockable storage area, while behind it is an optional, portable Bluetooth speaker.
- Powertrain - The Gladiator launches with only one engine, the 3.6-liter V6, which will make the same 285 hp and 260 lb.-ft of torque as the Wrangler. Both the Wrangler and Gladiator come standard with 4-wheel drive. The Gladiator can certainly carry more cargo than the Wrangler due to its bed, and it can also tow more.
So, if you have ever been driving or riding in a Jeep Wrangler and wished you had more cargo room, the Gladiator is your jam! Buying a Gladiator over a Wrangler means you will sacrifice some of the off-road capabilities, and money, for that pickup truck functionality and the satisfaction that comes with owning one of the coolest trucks on the market. But really, you can't really go wrong with either.
And, if you are a “green enthusiast”, rumor has it that there is a plug-in hybrid in the works.
