The Jeep Gladiator returned in the 2020 model year with the new JT generation, embodying many of the qualities of the Jeep Wrangler but in a configuration that was competitive with modern midsize pickup trucks. But why has the Jeep Gladiator been so popular in today's market after it was absent from the industry for so long? Well, it's because it came back with a fury, sporting some amazing updates and features that many shoppers have been looking for in a pickup truck.
In fact, the current JT generation sports some impressive highlights that make the Gladiator a worthwhile option for those currently shopping through used trucks for sale for a good midsize pickup. Here are seven important highlights of the current-gen Gladiator that will appeal to prospective used truck shoppers. Check them out and let us know if they interest you.
1. Pickup Truck Bed
Many consider the Gladiator's cargo box as essentially bolting a bed box onto a Jeep Wrangler, and that's not a bad description of what it is. However, it also kind of sells short just how functional and useful that cargo box is for the Gladiator. It gives you a ton of utility that you would expect from a midsize pickup truck but with all of the capabilities that Jeep's off-road vehicles are known for.
So you get the combination of an extremely off-road-centric SUV with suspension articulation, large tires, and traction control but with the towing and payload capacity of a traditional midsize pickup truck. This makes the Gladiator incredibly useful. Additionally, as the JT generation has evolved, so has the payload capacity; it started at 1,700 lbs, but with improvements over the years, the Gladiator can now hold a max payload of 1,725 lbs.
Plus, the cargo box has inner deck rail slides, so you can customize and outfit it with security straps, cargo cages, or shelves if you want. The added cargo management makes it useful for all sorts of outdoor activities or work functions. With a dampened tailgate, you can easily load or unload cargo. This is a huge selling point for the Gladiator.
2. Midsize Towing Capacity
A cargo bed is great, but another significant part of the utility of pickup trucks is their towing capabilities. As a midsize truck, there is a cap on what you can tow, but you can still hitch a trailer, flatbed, or other vehicle to the truck within the tow limit and have fun or get work done. That's part of what makes the Gladiator so appealing.
When the Gladiator came back onto the scene, its tow capacity was at 7,650 lbs, but over the years, it's increased to 7,700 lbs. So, if you're shopping for a used truck, you have some great metrics to utilize. You can achieve that best tow rating when the Gladiator is equipped with the Max Tow Package.
The ability to equip trailer brake controllers and use the touchscreen for trailering and camera views gives you greater efficiency. Even if all you're doing is towing small vehicles, having the ability to do so with the Gladiator is a big step up from what you're capable of towing with the Wrangler, which tops out at 5,000 lbs. So you get more tow capacity and more capabilities with the Gladiator compared to its SUV sibling.
3. Infotainment Suite
The Wrangler, in recent years, has upgraded its infotainment with a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen, and Jeep was quick to have the Gladiator follow suit. If you opt for an early JT-gen Gladiator, you have either a 5-, 7-, or 8.4-inch touchscreen. But if you opt for a 2022 model, the 5-inch screen is no longer an option, with the 7-inch as the new standard.
For the 2024 model year, Jeep upgraded the infotainment suite once more, standardizing the 12.3-inch HD touchscreen across the trim line. So you have a large screen in the cabin regardless of the trim. You may have to pay more for a used 2024 Gladiator, but no matter what trim you go with, you're getting the more updated touchscreen.
Another highlight is that the new system offers SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and navigation support with any trim grade that comes with the Uconnect 4C system. If you shop for a used Mojave, Overland, or Rubicon trim, the Gladiator comes with a nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system, which gives you added luxury for media access in your rugged midsize pickup.
4. EcoDiesel Turbo V6
Select years of the JT generation—between 2021 and 2023—have the turbocharged EcoDiesel V6. If the high torque and traction control are big selling points to you, then these are model years you should consider. A diesel powertrain is great both for fuel economy and for stability and low-end torque output.
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 manages 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and it's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is one of the highlights of the Gladiator because, combined with Jeep's 4x4 systems like Rock-Trac, Selec-Trac, or Command-Trac, it enables superb traction control and low-range gear ratios for things like rock crawling and mudding. Plus, with the Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential, you have a truck that can make the most of its 11.1-inch ground clearance and available 33-inch tires on select trim grades.
Combining the power of a turbo-diesel with the Gladiator's articulated suspension and off-roading capabilities is a good way to travel off-road with bold performance and rugged functionality. If you're into the low-end torque that diesel engines provide and you're attracted to off-road capabilities, this is a huge selling point—and since it's only available on older Gladiators, you'll certainly want to buy used.
5. Mojave X & Rubicon X
There are a few notable trims within the Jeep brand's lineup, especially in the Wrangler. Trims like the Mojave and Rubicon are often attached to the Wrangler, but they also are available for the Gladiator. The newer JT models have access to upgraded versions of these trims in the form of the Mojave X and Rubicon X, which add additional features to the already feature-rich Gladiator.
The Mojave X and Rubicon X come with integrated off-road cameras for the 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen, and they also feature 12-way power-adjustable front seats with Nappa leather upholstery. There are added features like front and rear steel bumpers, rock rails, and a full-time 4x4 transfer case for improved off-road stability and traction control. There is a lot more versatility put back into the hands of drivers thanks to the six-speed manual transmission.
The Mojave X and Rubicon X also come with unique decals and color schemes, helping them stand out from other trims. Features like the ParkSense rear parking assistance system and the nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system only increase the appeal. If you were shopping for a fully-featured, off-road-capable, and luxury used Gladiator, then the Mojave X or Rubicon X are ideal if your budget allows.
6. Exclusive Trim Levels
While shopping for used trucks, you likely won't be looking for state-exclusive trims, but that is one of the highlights of the JT generation of the Jeep Gladiator. There is a cache of unique, exclusive trims; for instance, the Texas Trail trim is available exclusively in Texas, just as well as a High Tide Edition that launched exclusively for Florida. There's also the North Edition that debuted in 2020 as part of the New England Auto Show.
If you're hunting for a used Gladiator, you're unlikely to get your hands on the limited state-exclusive trims, but they are out there. Eager and dedicated shoppers might even be able to get their hands on them by shopping diligently. Even barring the state-exclusive trims, there are plenty of unique trims available.
Jeep has teamed up with various organizations to offer unique trims and editions during the JT generation, including partnerships with USO and even Universal Studios for a Jurassic Park package for the Gladiator. These add a lot of value to the Gladiator if you are interested in buying a used model. They might be rare and hard to find but could be well worth it if you are into collector's items.
7. Modular Upgrade Kits
If there's one highlight of the JT-gen Gladiator that cannot be overstated enough, it's the modularity. This is a big part of the Jeep identity, and it has served nameplates like the Wrangler well for decades. The prospect of altering, kitting, and upgrading your Jeep has carried over into the Gladiator's ecosystem brilliantly, and it affords owners and prospective shoppers a lot of options for customizing their Gladiator.
From the outset, you have modular rooftops to choose from; in addition, the Gladiator is designed from the start as an open-air midsize truck, so it gives you plenty to enjoy as you travel outside and soak in the great outdoors. Various decals and vinyls are available as OEM and aftermarket accessories to personalize the Gladiator. Jeep has teamed with multiple organizations to offer all sorts of add-ons and kits for the Gladiator.
For instance, the Jeep Performance Parts two-inch lift kit from Mopar gets extra inches on ground clearance, while partnerships with American Expedition Vehicles made AEV-branded kits and parts for the Gladiator. These kinds of accessories and packages can improve your Gladiator your way, adding to the appeal of this midsize pickup. If there's anything you want to alter, there is a way to do it, and Jeep is always facilitating ways to make it easy for you to do so.
