Jeep Gladiator: A Pickup That Makes No Apologies

Jeep Gladiator - a Wrangler with a bed on the back

The Jeep Gladiator is an outlier on today's market. Most mid-size pickups try to be as soft and family-friendly as possible, while the Gladiator stays loyal to Wrangler logic: a solid front axle, removable roof panels and doors, an upright windscreen and geometry that is clearly aimed at the trail. The difference from the Wrangler is that there is a proper cargo bed behind the cab. If you want a Wrangler but you need a bed, there is essentially no alternative - and that is exactly what makes this model so distinctive.

The car we have for sale is a 2022 J-Spec Trail Rated 4x4 with the 3.6-litre petrol engine, automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, producing 213 kW. The body is a four-door pickup with five seats, finished in yellow - this is not a car you will spend long looking for in a car park.

Engine, drivetrain and what to expect from it

The 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine is the core engine of this generation and comes from the well-known Pentastar family. Technically it uses a chain-driven valvetrain with hydraulic lifters, which means there are no valve clearances to adjust. Running costs in this segment have been rated as average, although that assessment comes from secondary sources, and the exact service intervals in Estonia should always be checked against the individual car's service book.

What you should realistically allow for: fuel consumption on this model is generally high. A large, heavy, aerodynamically boxy pickup with a petrol engine is not an economy car, and nobody should expect it to be. In return you get a smooth engine with effortless power, well suited to towing and to carrying a load - this generation's V6 is considered strong on towing ability among mid-size pickups, though the exact figures depend on the version. Our car has a tow hitch fitted.

Jeep Gladiator in Estonian conditions

On the open road the Gladiator is honest about what it is: the steering is slow and soft, the body sits high, and wind and tyre noise are audible. Independent tests have noted this repeatedly, and it is the price of an off-roader with a solid front axle. On the other hand, the rear suspension on this model is derived from the larger Ram pickup, which gives a noticeably calmer and more comfortable ride than a Wrangler - and than some direct rivals too.

In winter, tyre choice matters more than anything else in Estonia. Aggressive off-road tyres are not winter tyres, and that is a mistake worth avoiding. Our car runs BFGoodrich Baja Champion siped tyres on 17-inch KMC alloys, and comes with a spare wheel. The four-wheel-drive system with its low range has a reputation among owners for reliability, and on a snowy side road the Gladiator is in its element. For cold mornings the car has heated seats and a heated steering wheel; some cars in this generation were ordered from the factory with an engine pre-heater, so that is always worth checking on the individual car.

In town the main limitation is size. A pickup parks less easily than an SUV, but the rear parking camera, side steps and commanding view of the road help a great deal.

What to check before buying

For this generation of Gladiator, owner reports and fault reports consistently highlight a few specific areas. On a test drive and inspection, pay attention to the following:

• Steering and front axle: cars with a solid front axle have been described as developing steering vibration at speed. Check the steering damper, track rods, ball joints, bushings and wheel bearings.
• Automatic transmission behaviour: a few owners have mentioned clumsy or hesitant shifts - watch how it behaves both cold and warm.
• Infotainment: Uconnect being slow or freezing is a recurring forum topic. Test the screen and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections.
• Roof and door seals: on cars with a removable roof, water leaks are a known risk area. Look under the carpets and check how well the panels fit.
• Recall campaigns: several have been registered for this model year. Make sure all the work has been carried out.

This list does not mean a particular car has these issues - it is simply what someone who knows the model would sensibly check.

Who the Jeep Gladiator suits

The Gladiator suits someone who chooses it deliberately. If you just need a work pickup or a comfortable motorway car, there are more balanced options out there. But if you want a car you can take the roof off in summer, turn onto a forest track in winter, and hitch a trailer to, the Gladiator offers a combination nobody else on the market does. It is a car with character, and character always has its price.

Buy or rent from Autosky Rent

This yellow Jeep Gladiator is for sale with us in Tallinn, and you are welcome to view it and arrange a test drive. Autosky Rent sells cars both directly and on consignment, and our partner network gives customers better terms on servicing, tyre work, car washing and fuel.

If you would rather have a fixed monthly payment than own the car, we also offer full-service long-term rental. Depending on the package, the monthly payment covers motor insurance and comprehensive insurance including superkasko, servicing and repairs for normal wear, summer and winter tyres with seasonal changes and storage, a replacement car, 24h roadside assistance across Europe through the insurer, handling of insurance claims, and Autosky Rent's 24/7 customer support. Get in touch and we will talk through which option - buying or full-service rental - fits your situation better.