My Gladiator is the most polarizing vehicle I’ve ever owned.

[Alabama Mud Machine]

What is the deal with the back ends setting so low. They say look at that stance. We have several around my neighborhood with the 40's on rolling smoke with the butt end sagging down. Looks like a dog passing a peach see to me. Never understand that people.

Dude, I have NO idea. It looks retarded to me. Same as the idiots rolling coal.

Sponsored

 

[TrainMan]

Dude, I have NO idea. It looks retarded to me. Same as the idiots rolling coal.

I've seen a few around here in Pennsylvania too. Idk, but I think it's a "thing". I always figured it was because they didn't have enough money to finish their lift!

 

[2021Buyer]

I think the polarization would be eliminated if Jeep expanded the Gladiator offering to include at least an extended cab version. I have written Jeep in 2006 just after the Gladiator concept was first shown as an extended cab at 2005 NAIAS auto show. I pleaded with them for a Jeep pickup and after many stops and starts - 14 years later they built a production Gladiator. I get the crew cab offering - I really do. And I am happy for those buyers who have found the crew can meets their need. I just don't understand why they didn't also inlcude at least an extended cab version with a longer bed for thos of us who don't need a crew cab. I get FCA may come out with a new Ram Dakota that offers an extended cab but I really would rather have a Gladiator with an extended cab or even one like the J6 concept...

 

[DaveNH]

 

[noside85]

I think the polarization would be eliminated if Jeep expanded the Gladiator offering to include at least an extended cab version. I have written Jeep in 2006 just after the Gladiator concept was first shown as an extended cab at 2005 NAIAS auto show. I pleaded with them for a Jeep pickup and after many stops and starts - 14 years later they built a production Gladiator. I get the crew cab offering - I really do. And I am happy for those buyers who have found the crew can meets their need. I just don't understand why they didn't also inlcude at least an extended cab version with a longer bed for thos of us who don't need a crew cab. I get FCA may come out with a new Ram Dakota that offers an extended cab but I really would rather have a Gladiator with an extended cab or even one like the J6 concept...

while it would have been nice to have that as well i think we were lucky to even get the gladiator as it is. i feel like they thought it would be a risk releasing a new vehicle, large or small still a risk, and it would save on production and design if they just released one model. at least intially. i mean, like you said, it took them years to get to this point. i think about how many 2 door JLs they sell compared to 4 doors nowadays. the 4 door gladiator is just the safer bet, business wise, for a launch.

at corolla, a truck drove past us a few hundred yards away and a cute girl stuck her head out the window and screamed "I THINK YOUR TRUCK IS SEXY!!!!!!" of course my wife didn't hear the whole part so wasn't sure who or what the girl thought was sexy...

 

[2021Buyer]

Yeah - seen you and beating the dead horse reference before - we'll see int he end who's right. BTW keep your eye on a Bronco-styled pickup truck and Ford won't be so short-sighted and assine to build only a four door - taking market share from the Gladiator...

 

[DaveNH]

Yeah - seen you and beating the dead horse reference before - we'll see int he end who's right. BTW keep your eye on a Bronco-styled pickup truck and Ford won't be so short-sighted and assine to build only a four door - taking market share from the Gladiator...

I hope you're right. The reference is more about how you find a way to interject the topic into any discussion. Yep, we get it.

You had better hope the initial rumors of the Bronco pickup aren't true...4 doors and an even shorter bed than the JT. Along the lines of the Explorer Sport Trac, or so it was rumored.

 

[DirkG]

I thought of this thread yesterday. My son and I were going through the Taco Bell drive-thru. I pull up and the TB employee says, "wow man, I love your Gladiator. Love that color too." I say thank you and hand him my ATM card. As he passes my card back he says, "I know a lot of guys don't like the Gladiator, but I think yours is dope." Yeah dude, uh, thanks for the Chalupa.

 

[booneja]

There are only three in my town, one Rubi, my overland and a sport S (wifes') I'm sure we all get the same attention, but just the other day while waiting for Son to be done at hospital....a random dude walks over and starts to have a 15 min conversation asking about mileage, payload, ride comfort, etc.....in the end I told him to go take one for a test drive and see for himself....these things are awesome.....

 

[Clendennan]

Ive had way more conversations that I wanted lol, and ive seen some people flat out tell me its ugly. I think the OP is correct

 

[NC_Overland]

Now that it’s summer, I’ve noticed that mine gets even much more attention with the top off. The cool thing is I get a lot more Jeep waves and a lot more compliments too.

 

[booneja]

Ive had way more conversations that I wanted lol, and ive seen some people flat out tell me its ugly. I think the OP is correct

those that say they are ugly are just jealous prius owners, lmao

 

[DirkG]

I thought of this thread yesterday. My son and I were going through the Taco Bell drive-thru. I pull up and the TB employee says, "wow man, I love your Gladiator. Love that color too." I say thank you and hand him my ATM card. As he passes my card back he says, "I know a lot of guys don't like the Gladiator, but I think yours is dope." Yeah dude, uh, thanks for the Chalupa.

Speaking of the polarizing aspect, the Gladiator universe rebounded with our experience at the donut shop the other day (I promise we feed our children fruit and vegetables as well).

I'm paying at the counter and a guy walks in and in a raised voice says, "who's Gladiator is that out there?" He told me how much he loved it and it was the nicest Glad he's seen. He was an Asian guy driving a 4Runner which speaks to the wide range of appeal.

I know we get a lot of these discussions, but this one stood out as the dude literally walked in and mildly shouted. Ha.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Speaking of the polarizing aspect, the Gladiator universe rebounded with our experience at the donut shop the other day (I promise we feed our children fruit and vegetables as well).

I'm paying at the counter and a guy walks in and in a raised voice says, "who's Gladiator is that out there?" He told me how much he loved it and it was the nicest Glad he's seen. He was an Asian guy driving a 4Runner which speaks to the wide range of appeal.

I know we get a lot of these discussions, but this one stood out as the dude literally walked in and mildly shouted. Ha.

That's almost as rare as seeing chinese people eating at a chinese restaurant in America.

 

[Dewyaw]

What a great thread starter!

When the Gladiator first came out, I thought it was hideous! It was this Frankenstein mishmash of Wrangler front and truck rear. I guy I work with described it like this: “it’s like a girl with huge tits in the front and no ass in the back!” (I can’t help but think he might be right.)

Ive been in the market for a new Jeep since January. I had my heart set on a diesel Wrangler, was about to start the order process when Coronavirus struck.

When I discovered Jeep had a new “Desert Rated” vehicle, that really got my attention, and I started looking at the Mojave. I fell in love. It ticked all the boxes I want, and I announced to my family I was switching from a Wrangler to a Gladiator.

The reaction was swift and forceful. “Those are so ugly!” “I hate those!” “They look terrible!” “No!!!!”

My kids of course had that reaction because that was my own reaction when they first came out. They don’t miss a thing!

I slowly started to wear them down, and when I came home with a Sting Grey Mojave from a test drive, they started to begrudgingly concede that that particular one “doesn’t look too bad.” “The base models with the tiny tires still look terrible.” Lol. Progress I guess

I think people will come around to the Gladiators like they came around to the 4 door Wranglers: When those first came out, they looked awkward. Now, it’s the 2 door Wranglers that look weird.

Sponsored