Here’s who Jeep thinks you are: someone who likes to ascend mountain tops and then stand there, looking meaningfully out into the distance. You’re someone who likes to throw jetpacks or whatever into the truck bed and bound, messily, through desert terrain. Well, that’s who they showed in their big video screens as they introduced the refreshed Gladiator, the only “trail rated” pickup truck, according to Jeep. But they’re also a bit more honest when it comes to things they actually did update, like standard Apple Carplay and Android Auto and a “stealth” antenna. There’s also a new Mojave!
Let’s just put up this livestream now and I’ll update as it goes?
UPDATE 1: Jeep is now selling an overlanding camper for the Gladiator:
It appears that’s a pop-up top, and there are what look to be flip-down side panels. Maybe kitchen stuff in there?
UPDATE 2: Here’s some of the new features of the updated Gladiator:
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Iconic Jeep® Gladiator exterior features new seven-slot grille, windshield-integrated trail-ready stealth antenna and seven all-new wheel designs
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Gladiator delivers Jeep brand’s open-air freedom to the truck segment with its folding windshield, three roof choices and three door choices, including available half doors and removable doors
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Unmatched capability with unsurpassed 4×4 max towing and best-in-class payload:
- Up to 7,700 pounds max towing
- Up to 1,725 pounds max payload
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Refined interior with more technology and amenities, including available 12-way power adjustable front seats and all-new instrument panel featuring Uconnect 5 system with best-in-class standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with improved speech intelligibility
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New 2024 Jeep Gladiator delivers standard first- and second-row side-curtain airbags, standard forward collision warning (Sport S and above) and standard advanced cruise control with stop (Sport S and above)
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Two new models, Mojave X and Rubicon X, expand Gladiator’s portfolio with integrated off-road camera, steel bumpers and Nappa leather-trimmed 12-way power adjustable front seats
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Factory application of Jeep Adventure Guides featuring Trails Offroad, delivering comprehensive off-road trail guides for the 62 Jeep® Badge of Honor trails loaded right into the Uconnect 5 Nav system, with an upgradable subscription that unlocks full catalog of 3,000-plus Trails Offroad trail guides
UPDATE 3: They just said their big fake mountain you can drive on is the largest mountain ever to be in the, um, Detroit convention center there.
UPDATE 4: The main exterior change is the adoption of the blacked-out grille we saw on the new Wrangler:
The new grille is sort of strange, because for as much as Jeep seems to cling tight to the traditional seven-slot design and how much it means for their brand identity, blacking it out only makes it much less visible. It feels like they’re hiding it!
UPDATE 5: Okay, so, what are we really looking at here? This is a mid-cycle refresh for an interesting niche vehicle. It’s still too long to be a truly effective rock-climbing off-roader, but it’s plenty capable for the sort of off-roading that most buyers will do, and you can haul a bunch of stuff.
It’s still America’s only convertible pickup truck, too, so that says something. You can still get it with a six-speed manual, which is something that shouldn’t be targeted with sneezing.
I’m also kind of curious about the nature of the new center stack screen, since the livestream mentioned it was more visible in really bright and direct sunlight, with doors and roof panels removed. I wonder how they’re pulling that off, or how well it actually works? Does it have a means to use more reflected light instead of a backlight in bright sun, like those old un-backlit screens once did?
UPDATE 6: Want more specs from the press release? Okay, fine by me!
- Four advanced 4×4 systems:
- Command-Trac part-time transfer case with 2.72:1 low range ratio
- Selec-Trac full-time transfer case with 2.72:1 low range ratio
- Rock-Trac part-time transfer case with 4:1 low range ratio
- Rock-Trac full-time transfer case with 4:1 low range ratio
- Best-in-class 84:1 crawl ratio standard on Rubicon
- Water fording of up to 80.01 centimetres (31.5 inches)
- Uncompromising approach, departure and breakover angles and ground clearance up to:
- Approach angle: 44.7 degrees
- Breakover angle: 20.9 degrees
- Departure angle: 26 degrees
- Ground clearance: 29.4 cm (11.6 in.)
- Unsurpassed 4×4 max towing and best-in-class payload:
- Up to 7,700 lbs. (3,492 kg) max towing
- Up to 1,725 lbs. (782 kg) max payload
And here’s details on the Gladiator Rubicon:
- Rock-Trac part-time transfer case with 4:1 4LO ratio
- Electronic front sway-bar disconnect
- Tru-Lok front- and rear-axle lockers
- Dana 44 heavy-duty solid front and rear axles with 4.10 axle ratio
- 17-inch aluminum wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Red accents and tow hooks
- Steel rock rails for the cab and bed corners
…and now the Gladiator Mojave:
- Command-Trac part-time transfer case with 2.72:1 4LO ratio
- FOX 6.3 cm (2.5-inch) internal bypass shocks with reservoirs
- FOX front hydro jounce bumpers
- 2.5 cm (1-inch) front suspension lift
- Tru-Lok rear-axle locker
- Dana 44 heavy-duty solid front and rear axles with 4.10 axle ratio
- 17-inch aluminum wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Orange accents and tow hooks
- Steel rock rails for the cab
- Performance hood with centre scoop
- Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters
- Sport seats with performance bolsters
- Off Road+ with high-speed mode for rear locker
What’s new are the X versions of Mojave and Rubicon, which add a full-time transfer case, integrated off-road camera, full, rich, deep vivid white pile carpeting throughout, with X branding, and steel bumpers at both ends. I maybe was kidding about the carpeting.
Oh, and the Willys version has these new features:
- Tru-Lok rear-axle locker
- Off-road+ mode adjusts throttle, transmission shift points and traction control for peak performance on higher speed passes on sand terrain, as well as during low-speed rock crawling. It also enables the rear axle to be locked in 4HI
- Trailer tow with programmable auxiliary switches
Hope that helps.
It’s a refresh, really. We’ll dig into these more as soon as we get a chance to try one out; I’ll see about getting more details on that camper setup, too.
I oddly don’t hate the Gladiator, but that’s probably bad news for Jeep. I find it to be endearing goofy and strange in proportion. Also, I can actually see around the more basic versions, which I can’t say for any full sized truck. That alone is a plus to me.
I can see the appeal of the base model if you can actually find one around 40k, which, supposedly you can. That’s still a ton of money, but at least at that price you get a mid-sized truck with a removable roof; an actual unique feature for it’s segment. Once you get into the upper trims the price gets outrageous though.
I am (was?) a Jeep fanboi. I’m on my 10th one, a ’21 Wrangler Rubicon diesel. Ongoing leaks and electrical issues have me looking at replacing it, and the Gladiator was the top competitor. Then they dropped the diesel, which you couldn’t actually get for most of this year due to a safety recall stop-sale (my Jeep is also under the recall without a solution and unable to trade). On top of that, the nearly 20% price increase over ’21 models for less content (Advanced Safety Group mostly missing on ’22-’23 Gladiators among other decontenting) hits hard.
Huge related negative: Loaded Gladiator Rubicon is just shy of $80k. Loaded Ranger Raptor = $60k. Loaded Colorado ZR2 = $62k. Loaded Taco TRD-Pro = $54k (though good luck getting a dealer to sell it to you for that).
Wait, wait, wait, wait… Your reasons for not wanting to get a Gladiator are because of a dropped engine and price increase, not because your current Jeep is a quality joke?
Meh. I wouldn’t kick it out of the stream bed, but it’s still just a tarted up streetwalker priced like a premium escort.
Where is the Gladiator 4xe?
Oof, that picture with the bike rack. In case these things weren’t awkward-looking enough, let’s hang another 3 or 4 feet of visual length off it. Might be enough to make me give up biking if I owned one of these. 😉
No Hybrid, no deal.
Wait… “full, rich, deep vivid white pile carpeting throughout” …white carpet? In an off-roader/truck? Surely not right?
I imagine these things are super useful, especially off-road. But they’re just so damn hideous.
As several have already said, why isn’t the 4xe Plugin Hybrid from the Wrangler made it over to the Gladiator? This seems to be a no brainer. But given how many deep dives have been done regarding the Wrangler and Gladiators cooling system (thanks DT), i’m guessing that might have to do with it.
I think having the hybrid in the Gladiator would boot some sales.
While I agree with your sentiment, it didn’t seem like Jeep would follow this path. The frame is different between the JT and JL and likely would’ve required quite a bit of work they didn’t feel they had to do, especially for a mid-cycle refresh when the model will likely be replaced in ’27-’28. But yeah, lets see how well these sell with an underpowered and outdated Pentastar when ’23 Gladiators seem to be the only thing dealers can keep on their lots.
I think I read somewhere that Jeep is offering $13K on the hoods of ’23 Gladiators to move them. The Gladiator hasn’t been the big success Jeep was hoping it would be. There was a big rush at the beginning, for that pent up demand for the “Jeep Truck”… but since then they haven’t been selling well. I do not see the Gladiator getting a second generation.
It seems like a mistake not making this thing come in hybrid form. Have they learned nothing from the Maverick? Also, the 23 Gladiators near me are $12,000 off msrp. That’s a lot of money savings to not get a new grill and larger screen.
The only item I want to know about is when can I buy the new full float dana 44 from Dana Spicer, and place JK brackets to it.
This is a disappointment when I wasn’t even expecting anything good to come of this.
Does Jeep not know how to cool down any engines (apparently, that’s the reason we haven’t seen a 2L turbo show up in any form) or do they just not want to produce this thing anymore?
The 2.0 in the gladiator? I would surmise not up to snuff for it. Its a heavy B.
The 2L does wonders for the Wrangler and is a massive improvement in every aspect to the 3.6, especially in torque, where it really shines through.
In the Gladiator, it might provide an acceleration benefit, but for the EPA numbers, it might help out even more.
Unless they come out and say it wouldn’t provide any benefit, I’ll go by the Wrangler and say it’d probably be beneficial to have.
I’m so jealous of the 84:1 crawl ration, my 5th gen 4Runner only has a 33:1 crawl ratio, and the Tacoma is just as bad.
It is too small, the targeted ads here have just offered me this,
https://www.daf.co.uk/en-gb/trucks/new-generation-daf/efficiency
FINALLY getting curtain airbags… I can’t believe that this wasn’t done at launch for the Gladiator and on the Wrangler Unlimited JK back when it launched in MY2007.
Curtain airbags are so crucial to saving lives, or at least limiting massive brain injuries in side-impact crashes.
How many convertibles have curtain airbags?
I know it morphed into a grocery getter, but at the heart is still is a vehicle with a removable roof.
That was my thought as well. Most convertibles do not get crash tested, and where are they supposed to put them when it’s all removable? Impressive that they found places to put them at all.
But can we really compare the wrangler/gladiator to other convertibles? The Wrangler/gladiator has always had a roll cage to mount curtain airbags too.
Until the JL they had a metal tube roll bar, which is not conducive to air bags. Plus you need to have the air bags constrained and controlled to get into position and hold onto occupants which is nearly impossible if you don’t have a roof. Just putting a balloon on a pole isn’t really effective for safety.
Right, I understand your point regarding packaging on a pole.
However, they absolutely could have designed the roll cage structure all the way back in 2007 to accomplish this using a different cross section of metal structure for the roll cage to fit it. This was not beyond Jeep’s engineering capabilities, even back in 2002.
Why? Because Jeep started offering curtain airbags as an option on the Grand Cherokee WJ back in 2002.
My bet is that you can’t get the high payload and tow ratings in the base model.
Knowing literally nothing about the Gladiator specifically, this is likely wrong.
The max towing and payload numbers advertised for trucks are almost always stripper base models because of the lower curb weight.
Actually you can, just select the “Max Tow” option on any trim.
Nice!
Was hoping the Mojave X would add what I really wanted: the Rubicon T-case for the 4:1 low range with all the Mojave goodies.
Also thought we might get it as a hybrid, guess not.
The Mojave was made for the opposite of crawling, which is the reason one would want a 4.1 t-case.
Agree they should really roll this out as the 4XE.
If I’m doing go fast, I’m probably not using low range at all though.
Gladiator, aka the Wrongler.
Who buys these ungainly things? I understand the appeal of a Wrangler even though 99% of them will never see anything worse than a gravel driveway. They’re all wheel drive, they have a timeless look, come in manual, seat 4 adults, and have roofs that goes down. Prior to the Bronco they were the only game in town and good luck finding anything other than those 2 if that’s what you want specifically.
Are they my thing? No, I’m one of those nerds who won’t buy a car that they won’t use the full potential of, but I get it. But the Gladiator? Just…why? The longer wheelbase reduces its capability significantly, and they’re comically long. A regular Wrangler will do better off-road (all 7 of them that actually see trails) and a regular old truck will be much better for truck stuff. Combining them both just kind of creates and unwieldy vehicle that isn’t really great at anything.
They’re also shockingly expensive. For the price of a barebones Gladiator you can get a nicely equipped regular Wrangler or a reasonably well kitted out truck. As I said on the “Jeep is in trouble” morning dump a few weeks ago…they have too many damn models. They’re stretched way too thin and it leads to a lot of offerings that are just kind of janky half measures, like the Gladiator.
The price difference between a Wrangler and a Gladiator when simliarly equipped is about 1-4% of the purchase price. For that difference you get a much better payload and towing capacity at the trade off of some off-road ability. This is for people that want/need a pickup configuration but also want off-road performance. In my opionion it’s the best off-road vehicle sold with a pickup bed.
Yup. I wouldn’t replace my 01 Cherokee with it and try to drive up Hells Gate, but for 99% of the wheeling I get to do its fine, and is more acceptable to take to work every day.
I had one as a loaner while my GC was in the shop for nearly a month and I have to say, it grew on me. The longer wheelbase rides way better than a Wrangler. It was comfortable enough, easy to drive and park in the city because its so narrow (though the length was annoying at times). The truck bed was nice to have, and the backseat is big and at a comfy angle because of the space behind the cab.
It still had some shortcomings that I hated in my 2020 Wrangler- cabin gets really hot with no headliner, doors are narrow to get in and out of, etc, but its a pretty decent jack of all trades.
Would I buy it over the other mid sizers? At the right price, maybe. I still think the Canyon/Colorado and Tacoma are better packages to live with daily.
I will almost certainly never have a need to shop in this class, but if I did I’d go directly to the new hybrid Taco. I would neither pass go nor collect $200.
Agreed, the Taco (and new Land Cruiser) hybrids are near the top of my current want list.
However I’ve looked at Tacomas multiple times over the past 10 years. They’re great trucks if you buy them. They don’t lease well at all, which is a head scratcher based on how well they hold their value. Ditto the 4Runner. I’m someone who doesn’t want a huge ass car payment so thats kept me away from them.
Meanwhile the Jeeps and GMC’s tend to lease really well with high residuals. Yeah, less reliable but if I’m out of it in 3 years or less who cares.
You could always buy a ten-year-old 4Runner, it’s literally the same thing as a new one in the showroom. I bought mine at 6 years old in 2019 and saved about 40% off sticker.
true, but being in the car business has made me a sucker for my employee discounts.
We get affiliate discounts with the Detroit 3 where I work, but saving 10% on a 40k+ vehicle is still zero motivation to buy one. Maybe I’m just a cheap bastard.
Nah, the affilitate discounts are ok, but not great to where I’d do this if that was all I got, so you’re being smart. Being in the dealership space I get stupid discounts that often get me advertised lease special prices without the crazy down payment. Part of me would like to get off the leasing hamster wheel but its so easy to flip in and out of cars since I rarely have negative equity so on the wheel I remain.
I get it. If the monthly isn’t bad and you can spare it, I totally see the allure of being in a new car every few years. A few years back I’d probably have leased, but I drive 20k/yr.
Currently my 4Runner is paid off and I’m trying to put money away for a house (fuck me, right??) so any type of car payment is out of the question.
My resolve on the saving is starting to waver though, I’m currently semi-obsessed with getting an 80-series Landcruiser.
“ and I have to say, it grew on me. “
Like a tumor?
It makes for a great fishing truck or weekend camper and gives all the vibes.
I thought I was being snarky and clever and here are multiple people in the comments supplying use cases for these things. Which is curious to me, this site usually has an undying hatred for big trucks, SUVs, and vehicles not being used to their full potential…but for some reason Autopia seems to have a universal respect for the Wrangler.
Am I out of touch? No, it’s is the children who are wrong!
Sorry. I’m just an ancient truck lover. Just missed the snark.
No apology needed, we’re all friends here
Oh, this is still true, the Gladiator just isn’t actually big.
Mention you commute in an F150 or god forbid a Super Duty and the torches will be out.
They’re super easy to lift and throw 37″ (or larger) tires on, the long wheelbase is much less of a hindrance then. In some cases, it’s a plus, these things are great on steep hill climbs. I’ve watched a lot of vids of these, it’s amazing when they can do.
In my area they are summer funmobiles. I see them with all the doors and roof off, and beach/lake crap piled in the bed. I get it, an open air truck is a perfect fair weather toy.
I’ll tell you why: Doors off, roof down. The Gladiator is the only pickup on the market with this party trick.
For open-air reasons, I’ve always wanted a Wrangler. But I need a truck for chores and light hauling. The Gladiator was the answer to a question I guess a few others like me have asked. I don’t think it will ever be a high volume seller but considering it offers something unique, Jeep will likely keep offering it.
Given how much it shares with the wrangler, it’s hard to see them dropping it, unless sales really tank. I mean it probably outsells the 2 door JL by 4 to 1 or more and they keep it around.
Drive by any Jeep dealer and you’ll see about the only vehicles they can keep on the lot are Gladiators.
And renegades.
I still don’t like the new grille. Definitely a step backwards.
I agree it’s a step backwards… however looking at the new wranglers with this grill in person it does look way better than pictures. Not sure why that is though.
Some things just don’t look good in pictures. I’m willing to change my mind once I see one in person.
The shape of the new grille kinda looks like the JK’s, which is cool, but not very modern. A funky grille, power seats & a huge infotainment screen don’t feel much like a model refresh. Now a hybrid…
Still no single row seating with bed. . .
It would be cool to see… it just wouldn’t sell enough to justify the NRE costs to develop, the supply chain efforts to have extra service parts uniqe to a regular cab, and the physical space on the production line that could be used to build higher volume units.
Single cabs just don’t sell like extended and (especially) crew cabs.
My apolgies for being the “fun police”
But hey, you could always get a regular cab Ram!
The new Wrangler grill makes it look like a Renegade.
Missed opportunity to have a 4XE Gladiator to replace the (now gone) diesel option
Yeah, I cannot understand way that haven’t put the 4xe drivetrain in the Gladiator yet. I figured it was a sure thing for the refresh, especially with the loss of the diesel.
I agree that it’s very dissappointing that there is no 4xe option, but I have a theory.
I think that Stellantis has to make significant changes to the 4xe design (at least to the pack and it’s packaging) to have both the Wrangler and (future) Gladiator 4Xe go above 30 miles of range per charge to quality for the full $7,500 credit.
Most plug in hybrids got the $7500 cut in half because of this, but some are still getting the full $7500 (i.e. Pacifica PHEV, Lincoln Avaitor PHEV) because they can go above 30 miles on a charge.
I actually don’t have a problem with this, all PHEV’s should hit a 30 mile minimum. And I know some people might say “well my commute is 10 miles, I don’t need that”.
As someone who has been working at EV companies for 10 years, you’ll still want the buffer so you can run in full EV mode in the winter time. That is assuming Stellantis can do some preconditioning/heating without the engine on (TBD).
I’d wager that Stellantis will have 4xe ready to go above 30 miles on both the wrangler and gladiator in 2025.
That’s very observant, I hadn’t realized the 4xe only got a 3500 tax credit under the new rules. I’ve crunched the numbers on a hypothetical 4xe gladiator numberous times and ROI is a lot lower without the full rebate.
seems like a really big deal for something that is just a mid cycle refresh thats already a carryover from another model.
My best guess is they’re attempting to hype up the refresh as much as possible with the new Tacoma, Colorado/Canyon and soon Ranger all hitting the market as full new generations.
I think you are spot-on. They are getting nervous.