Take a tour of the $62,000 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, a rugged departure from every other midsize pickup truck
Kristen Lee
- I recently reviewed the 2020 Jeep Gladiator: Jeep's take on the mid-size pickup truck market.
- It's a truck that's a star at off-roading, but not so much at traversing on highways.
- My loaner came out to a total MSRP of $62,020.
It was only after the violently orange 2020 Jeep Gladiator flowed effortlessly down a very steep, grassy, knobby hill near the Appalachian Trail that I finally understood.
I'd never been much into off-roading. What, I reasoned, was the excitement in going 5 mph when you could instead do many times that at a racetrack? Who wouldn't want leaps of acceleration so furious they make you feel like you're falling horizontally?
Off-roading is different. Even in my one-hour sampling of it — and a very light sampling at that; I won't presume to know anything more than a filthy casual — I could immediately see the charm. When you off-road, you can drive in an environment that would absolutely strand and destroy a sports car or supercar.
But you, with your lift kit, flexible suspension, and big tires, can stand atop a boulder, above it all. You can look out across a rocky valley, pick out a point, and get there, as long as you take a reasonable route. There's a power in that knowledge, in the ability to make the journey in a car.
For nearly 30 years, Jeep and pickup-truck aficionados have waited for something like the Jeep Gladiator to return: a rugged, off-road-capable pickup but with all the Jeep charm. And now it's finally here.
The Gladiator launched at the end of 2018 and hit the market during the second half of 2019, thus marking the end of a hiatus put into play once the last Jeep pickup, the beloved Comanche, departed in 1992.
Business Insider reviewed a very orange Gladiator recently — which you can read about here — and found that it is a hero at off-roading but suboptimal for highway cruising. Powered by a 285-horsepower V6, you can tell right away the truck is the happiest when splashing around in the mud or climbing grassy hills, not while holding to a steady 65 mph on New York Interstate 87.
But if you've more of an affinity for visuals than words, we've got you covered, too. Keep scrolling for a full gallery of the 2020 Gladiator Rubicon.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is Jeep's contestant in the midsize pickup truck market.
My loaner came in the Rubicon trim.
This is the trim geared especially toward off-roading.
The Gladiator’s styling can be summed up by the words “blocky” and “square.”
But the designers pulled it off — it looks like a Jeep!
The Rubicon trim means the Gladiator gets 33-inch tires.
It has 11.1 inches of ground clearance.
And can ford up to 30 inches of water.
The Gladiator is happiest doing low-speed stuff.
Like off-roading and towing.
As an off-roading vehicle, it inspires a lot of confidence in low-traction situations.
Make no mistake, though.
This is definitely geared more toward a buyer interested in recreational activities.
I can’t imagine anyone who’d use this as a work truck.
Unfortunately, the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is also quite expensive for a midsize truck.
With all its options, my loaner came to an eye-watering $62,020.
Sure, it’s loaded with accessories and off-road goodies, but that’s still a lot of money.
Whether or not the Gladiator is worth it is between you and your god.
The big Jeep reminds me of a life-size Tonka toy truck.
It has fun, exposed hinges, clips, and big decals.
The Fox-branded shock absorbers are clearly visible.
Everyone will know if you have a Rubicon or not.
The taillights don't get in the way of the tailgate.
The winch-capable steel front bumper is a $795 option.
The big, seven-slot grille traps a lot of bugs, sadly.
Sorry about that, friend!
Rubicon Gladiators have Jeep's Trail Rated badge, which means they are extra off-road capable.
Am I lame for liking the contrasting hood vents?
And the exposed hinges?
The back row is actually usable!
It might be a bit narrow to climb into.
But once you’re there, it’s quite comfortable.
There's decent headroom and legroom.
The cup holders will hold an average water bottle or soda can, but not your Big Gulp.
The front row is roomy, too, once you climb into it.
The Gladiator also comes with a handbrake, which is very appreciated.
The interior isn’t super fancy, but all the stuff you need is easily within reach.
My favorite feature was this little cubby in front of the windshield — great for sunglasses and other knick-knacks.
The seat leather and interior plastics were on the harder side, but that makes them easier to clean off after muddy activities.
Visibility was a little bit of an issue though; I wish the wing mirrors had wider viewing angles.
The thick C-pillars made for blind spots.
The Gladiator is a fine truck, but cheaper and more highway-friendly options definitely do exist.
Still waiting to be swept away in my chariot by my Gladiator.
But if you do a lot of off-roading and other recreational activities, this truck isn't a bad option.
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