2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab will see no significant updates over the current model hence the trim levels will remain similar to the current model too. The lineup starts with the Sport trim with a starting price of $37,375. For that price tag, the truck offers a mix of manual and electronic convenience features such as manually-adjustable ORVMs, locks, and hand-cranked windows along with a keyless push-button ignition system. Apart from these, the SUV also gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice control, tilt-and-telescoping steering column, and damping for trailer sway control. Moving up to the Overland trim will get you bigger 18-inch wheels, keyless entry, and ignition, a more extensive 8.4-inch infotainment system, and two-zone automatic climate control among other features. The Rubicon is the most off-road-friendly trim here with big 33-inch all-terrain tires, bigger fenders for more wheel articulation, locking rear and front differentials, and upgraded Fox shock absorbers among other features. The top-end Mojave trim is specifically meant for high-speed driving out on deserts and sand dunes. It loses the electronically controllable front stabilizer bar and locking differentials to make way for Fox's complex internal bypass shock absorbers. Additionally, the truck also gets a special transfer case that keeps the 4WD layout engaged even at high speeds.

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Since the Jeep Gladiator’s only Sport and Overland trims are meant for regular drives, the Overland makes more sense. You get a convertible truck with almost all the convenience features of a modern vehicle too. However, the base Sport trim is better suited for off-roading fanatics looking forward to modifying their trucks extensively.

Release Date

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator has been released and is available for purchase through ordering. The truck will enter production by late August 2022.

Among the numerous good things about the Jeep Gladiator is its standard 3.6-liter V6. Even if the motor guzzles gasoline, it does offer a capable performance in various driving scenarios. Jeep also offers a smaller 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6 that produces slightly lesser power but significantly more torque than the gas V6, making duties like towing and hauling more weight relatively easier. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 makes a maximum of 285 horsepower along with 260 lb-ft of torque. The power figures are strong, even by today’s standard and the motor doesn’t break a sweat even under stress. The Gladiator stands out from the crowd with its standard six-speed manual transmission while the rest of the rivals have moved on to automatics. There is an optional 8-speed auto on offer as well. The combination of the V6 and the manual transmission allows the truck to complete the 0-60mph sprint within 8.1 seconds. In terms of towing, the standard V6 can pull a maximum of 4,000 lbs when properly equipped.

The Toyota Tacoma gets a 3.5-liter V6 under its hood that puts out a healthy 278 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Even if it makes lower power than the Gladiator, it is quicker off the line and finishes the 0-60mph sprint in 7 seconds flat. The Honda Ridgeline also houses a 3.5-liter V6 that offers one of the best refinement levels among the rivals here. The Ford Ranger is the only one here to get a small 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 motor that is big on power and makes the highest torque here as well. Moreover, it has some beefy tow ratings too.

2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab Ride and Handling

Pickup trucks are not known for their handling and driving dynamics, and the Jeep Gladiator surely doesn’t try and impress here as well. Where it excels is while going off the roads. It benefits from the Wrangler’s platform and body style along with several off-roading enhancements, to offer an incredible off-roading experience in its class. The truck also gets a desert-racing-specific Mojave trim that houses a complex Fox suspension and a specially-designed transfer case to handle 4WD at all times while traveling at high speeds. While out on regular roads, the Gladiator suffers from its rugged tires and solid axles that make it quite a handful to drive. Moreover, the steering wheel feels vague and mostly disconnected at all speeds, stealing away all the fun.

2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab Braking Performance

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator gets chunky 13.6-inch rotors at the front while the rear wheels get a pair of 12.9-inch rotors. Since the Gladiator weighs quite a handful, the stopping distance of the truck is still impressive at 135 feet. 

The Toyota Tacoma gets smaller, with 10.8-inch front rotors along with 10-inch rear rotors. As a result, the truck takes quite a long 146 feet to come to a halt from 60mph. The Honda Ridgeline gets 13-inch front rotors along with 12.6-inch rear rotors. The combination results in the truck having a stopping distance of 134 feet. The Ford Ranger is the champ here with a stopping distance of only 127 feet however, its lesser curb weight also helps.

The Jeep Wrangler isn’t exactly a fuel-efficient SUV and the Jeep Gladiator walks the same path. Since the Gladiator carries FCA’s favorite and trusted, Pentastar V6 as standard, the fuel economy could’ve been better with proper tuning right from the factory. Due to no changes, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator will return an average of just 16mpg in cities while highway driving will see 23mpg of average mileage. The combined fuel economy number is rated at 19mpg only. However, to compensate for the lackluster fuel economy, the truck gets a huge 22-gallon gas tank which allows it to cover over 350 miles inside the city limits and can cross the 500-mile barrier while out on the highways.

The Toyota Tacoma also houses a V6 under its hood but offers much better city mileage in comparison to the power and torque it makes. The Tacoma gets a slightly smaller fuel tank but it manages to outrun the Gladiator both on city and highway in terms of driving range. The Honda Ridgeline returns almost similar EPA ratings to the Tacoma but falls short in driving range numbers due to a much smaller, 19.5-gallon gas tank. The Ford Ranger is one of the best in the class since it makes healthy power and torque figures but takes full advantage of its motor’s displacement to return respectable fuel economy numbers.

Jeep has portrayed to the market that it can make quality interiors offering utmost comfort and handsome features, and the Jeep Gladiator’s cabin is a fine example. Once you step inside the 2023 Jeep Gladiator’s interior, you’ll not be able to make any difference between the Wrangler and this truck, and off-roaders will be happy with the slightly crude yet practical and washable interior. One thing you’ll instantly notice is the more than generous amount of headroom and legroom on offer for both the front and rear occupants. The shoulder room might feel less on paper due to the boxy cabin shape; slim interior panels manage to free up enough space for the occupants to seat comfortably. Surprisingly, for a truck costing upwards of thirty grand, the base Sport model of the Gladiator gets hand-cranked windows, manual door locks, and manually-adjustable ORVMs. While it gives an old-school feeling, not many shoppers on a tight budget might be a fan of it. Thankfully, the steering wheels get a rake and reach adjustments, and push-button ignition. The front seats are comfortable and supportive while the rear seats lack under-thigh support to a slight extent. However, the rear seats hide a storage compartment underneath where you can store the necessary items required for quick access.

The Toyota Tacoma’s cabin feels dated due to a lack of design updates but has a robust build. The space for the driver and front co-passenger is adequate while the rear seats lack legroom to a considerable extent. Stepping inside the Honda Ridgeline’s cabin won’t make you feel like you’re sitting inside a pickup truck. It feels more like a fullsize and comfortable SUV from the inside. The headroom and legroom are generous for both the front and rear passengers but the Gladiator still rules in terms of rear seat space. The Ford Ranger gets a straightforward designed cabin with ample space for the driver and the front passenger. The rear passenger will be able to enjoy a generous amount of headroom but tall passengers will surely feel the short legroom.

Some of the key interior features available with the 2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab include:

• Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Detachable doors and foldable front windshield
• Rear privacy glass
• Auto-dimming IRVM
• Two-zone automatic climate control
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

How intuitive is the 2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab’s infotainment system?

Despite having a crude but ute interior, the Jeep Gladiator gets the entertainment part right. The base Sport trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, the system offers voice control capabilities and USB ports for the front passenger along with an 8-speaker audio setup. The upper Overland model brings in an 8.4-inch touchscreen system over the 7-inch one and further adds a navigation system, a nine-speaker premium Alpine audio system, and USB ports for the rear passengers as well.

Some of the most notable infotainment features available with the 2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab include:

• 8.4-inch touch screen UConnect infotainment system
• Navigation
• Front and rear USB ports
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 9-speaker Alpine audio system

The Jeep Gladiator is instantly recognizable amidst the crowded pickup truck market due to its unmistakable design. From the front, you might mistake it for a regular Wrangler until you look at it from the side. The seven-slot front grille announces the truck’s arrival almost anywhere it goes and the round LED headlamp units with circular LED DRLs give a cool retro-modern effect as well. From the side, the exposed door hinges are a tell-tale sign of the removable doors while the black and foldable soft rooftop are also visible at all times. Surprisingly, the Gladiator has the longest wheelbase here which translates to the spacious cabin but it also doesn’t hinder its off-roading capabilities either. The truck stands the tallest in the class with its 10-inch ground clearance.

The Toyota Tacoma is another example in the segment that looks quite rugged and off-road ready from its base trim onwards. On paper too, it is on the bigger side when compared to rivals other than the Jeep Gladiator. Also, it is almost close to the Gladiator in terms of standard ground clearance too. The Honda Ridgeline used to look less like a truck and more like a comfy urban SUV with an attached cargo bed. The latest model, with its facelift, has started to look more like a truck but with a pinch of sophistication. It is wider than most of the rivals here but falls short to a significant extent in terms of ground clearance. The Ford Ranger got a new look recently which has enhanced the aggressive appeal of the truck while it still looks like a small Ford F-150 from certain angles.

Some standout exterior features include:

• 17-inch steel wheels/18-inch alloy wheels with 32-inch tires
• Foldable soft top and front windshield
• Removable doors
• Automatic headlamps
• Power-operated tailgate locks
• Wider fenders for more wheel articulation((Rubicon only)

The safety department of the Jeep Gladiator brings out the true crude nature of the truck and it might be a deal-breaker for a lot of shoppers. None of the Gladiator trims get any ADAS tech as standard while the basics are covered with antilock brakes, airbags, electronic stability control with roll stability control, and driveline traction control. Optional driver safety aids offer forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control among a few others.

Some of the standout safety features include:

• Electronic stability control and Roll stability control
• Anti Lock braking system
• Driveline traction control
• Dual driver and passenger airbags
• Side impact beams
• Airbag occupancy sensor
• ParkView reversing camera

2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

The Toyota Tacoma has been a trusted and reliable truck in the segment and goes up against the Gladiator quite competitively. The Tacoma almost matches the Gladiator in terms of performance but surpasses it when it comes to fuel economy. Off-roading can be done decently with the 4WD Tacoma models but it loses out to the Gladiator in terms of extreme off-roading capabilities and utility features such as removable doors and roof top.

2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab vs 2022 Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is the most preferable option for shoppers looking for a comfortable pickup truck mainly for urban usage. The Ridgeline offers a solid fuel economy aspect, a refined cabin with ample features, and a better safety aspect than the Gladiator. However, the Gladiator beats the Ridgeline easily in terms of practicality and off-roading. The Ridgeline has an edge over the Gladiator in terms of fuel economy, however.

2023 Jeep Gladiator Crew Cab vs 2022 Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger has been a strong and quite common pickup in the segment that walks in the shadow of its bigger sibling, the F-150. Despite that, it has gotten an aggressive exterior design and a user-friendly cabin with adequate features onboard. The highlight points of the Ranger are its power figures and fuel economy numbers despite housing a small 2.3-liter turbocharged motor.

The Jeep Gladiator should be considered if you wish to head out into the wilderness more than often but like to go with full preparation. Moreover, the Gladiator stands out from the crowd with its timeless design and off-road specific models on offer. Also, it is the sole offering that gets a dedicated desert racing trim that gets mechanical upgrades to take on desert trails and high-speed driving over sand dunes easily.