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The 2023 Jeep Gladiator is what happens when you outgrow your Wrangler. This mid-size pickup can be compared to the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, particularly when they’re outfitted in off-road trims.
It’s certainly not the best pickup, but it’s the most interesting. We like the Gladiator for its fun design, its removable roof and doors, and its surprising utility. It’s hardly comfortable or inexpensive, though. It’s an 4.8 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
This pickup version of the Jeep Wrangler revives a long-dormant Jeep name. It’s 19 inches longer than a Wrangler, but it shares its front end, two of its powertrains, and its general style and swagger.
We think the Gladiator looks pretty cool with its traditional Jeep styling married to a useful 5-foot pickup bed. It’s all Wrangler inside, so look for lots of shapes, curves, and funky Easter eggs—but not much comfort, convenience, or luxury.
The 285-hp V-6 that’s standard provides unimpressive acceleration with either the 6-speed manual or the 8-speed automatic transmissions. Better, but much more expensive, is the 3.0-liter turbodiesel with its mountain of torque. It comes only with the automatic.
There’s no upcharge for four-wheel drive, though, and even base Sport versions offer decent capability. Slap Rubicon or Mojave badges on the big hood, though, and the Gladiator becomes a veritable rock-crawler or desert-tamer. These pickups give the Ford Raptor a serious run for its money, even if they’re a lot slower.
Fuel economy is not an asset, though. Look for as low as 19 mpg combined with the V-6.
Inside, you’ll find two park benches. OK, the Gladiator’s not quite that bad, but the flat front seats and the somewhat narrow rear bench hardly invite long-distance driving. The cabin is somewhat narrow for a fairly large vehicle, and its ergonomics are quirky if not downright inconvenient.
We like the 7.0-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens, which feature simple but useful infotainment software and standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. That’s about where the fancy bits end, though, unless you start spending extra. Automatic emergency braking, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors—heck, even power windows—are optional.
A four-star NHTSA rating should be an eyebrow-raiser if safety is your priority.
How much does the 2023 Jeep Gladiator cost?
The $38,970 Gladiator Sport anchors the lineup with four-wheel drive, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and air conditioning—but not much else.
Plan on spending a good $5,000 in options if you want features such as a hard top, power windows, or upgraded audio.
Our money would be on a Gladiator Rubicon or Mojave for a smidge under $50,000—or well more than that with optional features.
Where is the 2023 Jeep Gladiator made?
In Toledo, Ohio.
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