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I drove a $62,000 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon — here are the rugged pickup truck's best features

Matthew DeBordMay 2, 2020, 22:39 IST

Business Insider

I recently tested a $62,020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, the much-anticipated midsize pickup truck from Jeep.
The Jeep Gladiator is an insanely robust competitor in the midsize pickup arena.
In top Rubicon trim, it's also a feature-fest. Here's a rundown of all the goodies.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The midsize pickup-truck segment had for some time been left to the popular Toyota Tacoma and the ancient Nissan Frontier. But about five years ago, automakers decided to liven it up. Chevy brought back its Colorado pickup (as well as a GMC version, the Canyon). Then Honda revamped its Ridgeline, and Ford reintroduced the Ranger.

Jeep has done a small pickup in the past, so when it announced that it would restore the Gladiator nameplate to an all-new truck, there was much rejoicing.

The pickup arrived last year, and I recently tested it. The upshot was that it gives the off-road-focused Chevy Colorado Bison ZR1 a run for its money.

The Gladiator Rubicon, with its stout 4x4 setup and premium extras, is perhaps the full-featured midsize pickup money can buy.

Here's why:

Read the original article on Business Insider

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On balance, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is the most feature-rich midsize pickup on the market.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

You'll also appreciate the large knobs and buttons on cold days when you're wearing gloves. You'll appreciate the heated front seats and steering wheel, too.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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The 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen is small by current industry standards. But the system runs Fiat Chrysler's excellent UConnect system.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

The branding gets a shout-out inside on the leather-trimmed front seats.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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The Rubicon spec is the Gladiator's top-dog trim level.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

... But grab handles make getting in and out relatively easy.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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I missed a running board ...

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

If you get ambitious, the doors are also removable.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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The rest of the roof also comes off, but you need special tools (included).

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

Presto! Beats a sunroof!

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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... Simply by throwing some latches and removing two panels.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

The front seats can be completely opened to the elements ...

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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Now for perhaps the coolest feature: the removable roof.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

My Gladiator had a $350 towing package. It can manage 7,000 pounds. Other trim levels can tow more, up to 7,650 pounds.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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The front bumper could easily support bulk — and has been beefed up so that a winch can be attached.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

The familiar Jeep fascia has been updated, but it remains unmistakable, thanks to that famous slotted grille. The fenders are borrowed from the Wrangler, and they have built-in running lights. They're part of a $1,045 LED lighting package.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

The familiar Jeep fascia has been updated, but it remains unmistakable, thanks to that famous slotted grille. The fenders are borrowed from the Wrangler, and they have built-in running lights. They're part of a $1,045 LED lighting package.

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All this for around $60,000 represents staggering off-roading capability.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

There are heavy-duty front and rear axles that can be locked, a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive setup, a shielded gas tank, a shielded transfer case, and a front skid plate.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

There are heavy-duty front and rear axles that can be locked, a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive setup, a shielded gas tank, a shielded transfer case, and a front skid plate.

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... And rear.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

There are FOX off-road shocks front ...

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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My tester was outfitted with 33-inch all-terrain tires. But obviously, the Gladiator's wheel-arches could accommodate bigger rubber. The wheels were 17-inch "Granite Crystal" aluminum jobs, and they were standard.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

My tester was outfitted with 33-inch all-terrain tires. But obviously, the Gladiator's wheel-arches could accommodate bigger rubber. The wheels were 17-inch "Granite Crystal" aluminum jobs, and they were standard.

The power can be sent through an optional eight-speed automatic, with four-wheel-drive capability. A six-speed manual is standard.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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... That it's a 3.6-liter V6, making 285 horsepower with 260 pound-feet of torque. This motor is well-known to Jeep fans.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

Engine? It's should come as no surprise ...

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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The feature is activated using this button in the cab.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

The bed also has its own power outlet, for 120-volt applications.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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You yank a pair of release pulls, roll it up, and secure it with a pair of Velcro straps.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

... But the cover somewhat eliminates the need for the additional protection. It's a $595 extra.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

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The bed has a 1,600-pound capacity and could handle most of what its target customers would put in it, ranging from camping gear to mountain bikes. My review car didn't have a spray-on bedliner ...

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

The bed has a 1,600-pound capacity and could handle most of what its target customers would put in it, ranging from camping gear to mountain bikes. My review car didn't have a spray-on bedliner ...

Being a pickup, the Gladiator's most notable feature is obviously the five-foot bed. Jeep didn't just bolt a box onto the back end of a Wrangler, by the way — the Gladiator got its own, dedicated platform.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

Being a pickup, the Gladiator's most notable feature is obviously the five-foot bed. Jeep didn't just bolt a box onto the back end of a Wrangler, by the way — the Gladiator got its own, dedicated platform.

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The Gladiator is Jeep's much-anticipated midsize pickup truck, and the segment has become extremely competitive in the past five years, with Chevy and Ford jumping into the game, after having left the space to Toyota.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Matthew DeBord/Insider

The Gladiator is Jeep's much-anticipated midsize pickup truck, and the segment has become extremely competitive in the past five years, with Chevy and Ford jumping into the game, after having left the space to Toyota.

I tested a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, with a sticker price of $62,020 (base price was $43,545, and cheapest Gladiator is the Sport trim, at $33,545). Cool feature number one is the snazzy orange paint job — "Punk'n," in Jeep-speak.

Matthew DeBord/Insider

I tested a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, with a sticker price of $62,020 (base price was $43,545, and cheapest Gladiator is the Sport trim, at $33,545). Cool feature number one is the snazzy orange paint job — "Punk'n," in Jeep-speak.

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