Worst on Consumer Reports

[am1978]

It’s odd that they can rank the Gladiator based on reliability, but they skipped over the Wrangler. They’re essentially the same platform when it comes to reliability for their respective drivetrains, engines, systems, and suspensions.

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[NachoRuby]

It’s odd that they can rank the Gladiator based on reliability, but they skipped over the Wrangler. They’re essentially the same platform when it comes to reliability for their respective drivetrains, engines, systems, and suspensions.

I think gladiators attract a lot of first time jeep buyers, since it's a truck. People who buy wranglers know what they're getting into.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I was going to comment that floor pan rust was likely the reason that bug @ShadowsPapa mentioned flexed so much! The floor pans are infamous for rusting. Luckily, it is easily repairable since it is body on frame, and so light. Remove body, cut off and unbolt old pans from frame, weld/rebolt new pans. Only problem is I can't weld. I need to learn! Now bumper mounts: that's an odd place for them to rust.

The ONE VW my boss took in to work on had "dropped a valve" - blew the engine. I tried and tried to get the sheet metal shrouds and other engine cooling pieces off of that thing and the fasteners were so tight and rusted, the engine shrouding so nasty, we actually finally gave up and told the owner we were taking it to a VW expert. That guy ended up just putting a whole different engine in it and didn't even mess with much disassembly. He had stuff laying around, we didn't. Due to that experience in high school and in the shop later with those screws and bolts and the rust, I won't even look at one. I'd not mind having a ready-made dune buggy with a VW chassis....... but that would be it for me.

 

[rdboyd]

I quite paying attention to anything CR had to say about motor vehicle testing back with they declared the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon to be unsafe. They were one of the early low cost front wheel drive cars so CR made up a test where they would drive down the road, turn the steering wheel 90 degrees, and let go. Apparently the response of the car from this "test" was frightening.

CR may be okay if I want an opinion on washing machines or microwaves, but for opinions on cars I will look at what car guys have to say.

 

[NotSo Bright White]

Lol a Honda. ? There was a point when I was 27, I bought a Toyota Corolla. I actually had to just Google the model name because they’re that forgettable. Anyways I thought, “oh joy! Gas mileage!!!” I had it for maybe a year and I slapped myself across the f’ing face and asked myself wtf I was doing driving that. I went out and bought a 2013 Camaro, than a 2017 Camaro, 2019 Challenger Scat Pack and now a 2021 Gladiator Mojave.

life’s too short to drive a car that damn boring. F that.

I did the same thing! 1985 Toyota Tercel. I had a 74 CJ5, thought I needed gas mileage and bought the Tercel. Owned it for a year and sold it for the same price as I bought it for. Bought a 83 CJ8 and am still pissed that I sold for a full size truck! Finally got back to a Jeep with a 2006 LJ that I thought I would drive to my grave in. But then they had to create the diesel Gladiator and I know Consumer Report didn’t test drive one. They couldn’t have wrote the article because they would have been having too much fun! Damn I love that Jeep!

 

[NotSo Bright White]

I only intended to attach the Scrabler picture! Stupid fat thumbs!

 

[DPF140]

I was a Jeep hater for YEARS! I never saw the appeal, need, desire, or understood why it is so inefficient. Then the JT came out, SOLD! Now I'm not going to sit hear and blow sunshine up any ones arse, but I love my JT! I mean as a bit sad as it sounds I do get a nice smile and joy out of owning and driving it. I've been a truck guy most of my life, if it doesn't have a bed on it you can count me out. I use a truck bed almost daily. Yes the bed is small, not much interior space, drinks gas like my dad drinks beer (to damn much). It's been recalled (steer box), had to replace the primary, secondary battery a sensor (covered by warranty) due to the the auto stop/start not working. I know many of you hate it, but I saw a 2mpg difference without it. I need all I can get! I find the paint a bit weak in spots, metal body especially the tailgate very weak as I get dents from the littlest thing. I thought this was suppose to be a bit more rugged, no? With all I've mentioned I LOVE MY JT, I MEAN I LOVE IT! Will I get an all electric version when it comes out? YES! That's what I'm after, but until then I will drive and keep this as long as I can. I'm even looking at at buying an older two door JK for trips in town and errands. Yes, I now get it, all of it!

I’m holding out hope that in 4 years when my lease is up, the JT4Xe is available. Then I will be trading in for the best possible vehicle in my mind!

 

[dcmdon]

That's funny because the first year I owned my JT Overland I kept thinking - this is the most cushy small truck I've ever driven or ridden in. Granted, that's changed now with different springs and shocks and weight added to it, but mine still beats other small trucks I've been in for ride. My wife even commented about the cushy ride when we first got it.

But compared to a modern Audi, it rides, drives, and steers like a hay wagon. There's no way around it.

I actually bought the Mojave partly because of this. I needed a vehicle I wouldn't want to try to drive fast. The Jeep steers like my '66 Impala convertible. I'm happy tooling along in the right lane. Its kind of an old-timey type of ride.

 

[dcmdon]

Lol a Honda. ? There was a point when I was 27, I bought a Toyota Corolla. I actually had to just Google the model name because they’re that forgettable. Anyways I thought, “oh joy! Gas mileage!!!” I had it for maybe a year and I slapped myself across the f’ing face and asked myself wtf I was doing driving that. I went out and bought a 2013 Camaro, than a 2017 Camaro, 2019 Challenger Scat Pack and now a 2021 Gladiator Mojave.

life’s too short to drive a car that damn boring. F that.

I bought a 6 year old Prelude in 1998. i was happy to drive it because that is what allowed me to own a 2 Seat aerobatic sport plane at age 30. I couldnt' have afforded it if I had a fun car.

I love fun cars. But I love fun airplanes more.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

But compared to a modern Audi, it rides, drives, and steers like a hay wagon. There's no way around it.

I actually bought the Mojave partly because of this. I needed a vehicle I wouldn't want to try to drive fast. The Jeep steers like my '66 Impala convertible. I'm happy tooling along in the right lane. Its kind of an old-timey type of ride.

Why would anyone compare to a "modern Audi" - TOTALLY different audience, different market.
Sorry your JT steers like a 66 Impala. Mine is much better than anything made in the 60s- but then I can't fully compare because again, we'd be comparing a passenger car to an off-road truck that sits a lot taller and has vastly larger tires, even stock.

 

[dcmdon]

Why would anyone compare to a "modern Audi" - TOTALLY different audience, different market.
Sorry your JT steers like a 66 Impala. Mine is much better than anything made in the 60s- but then I can't fully compare because again, we'd be comparing a passenger car to an off-road truck that sits a lot taller and has vastly larger tires, even stock.

You keep saying how nicely your Jeep drives and rides. But if all you are comparing it to is other Jeeps, old cars, or even a reliavely modern Grand Cherokee, you don't have the whole picture.

What exists impacts the expectations of consumers and of non-jeep oriented magazines that do tests.

In all fairness to my jeep, my Impala does have a new steering box and lower profile tires than the Jeep.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You keep saying how nicely your Jeep drives and rides. But if all you are comparing it to is other Jeeps, old cars, or even a reliavely modern Grand Cherokee, you don't have the whole picture.

What exists impacts the expectations of consumers and of non-jeep oriented magazines that do tests.

In all fairness to my jeep, my Impala does have a new steering box and lower profile tires than the Jeep.

No one said consumers were logical or smart - or even those magazines. If they can't judge based on the targeted audience, they shouldn't be judging at all.
Being totally factual saying that "20% of owners had to return to the dealership for check engine lights" that's one thing, but those who write about and judge mid-sized trucks should only do mid-sized trucks.

 

[Geoarch]

Old bugs aren't frameless. Or do you mean "new beetles"? Old bugs are a pan/frame bolted to a body. It's a platform chassis. The Ridgeline is unibody. Old bugs are also pretty good at rock crawling/offroading, with a lift and tires. They are, after all, the original dune buggies, and people have been building Baja buggies for decades.

Whatever it is, would you want that during rock work?

 

[Geoarch]

If you think about it, the Jeep is a terrible vehicle to most people. It is loud as hell from the inside, it sucks gas due to its ridiculous aerodynamics, and compared to other vehicles it’s uncomfortable to sit in. The problem is that I freaking love it. I’ve loved every Jeep I’ve ever owned. I don’t want anything else, well a Challenger Hellcat would be a good second choice.

Geez, the Gladiator is a dream compared to my 53 Jeep M38-A1, and my 73 CJ-5. Loved them too. It's a truck with very low gearing (comparitively), a low range transfer case and solid axles. That's what I'm paying for. If I want comfort I'll drive my wife's Subaru Forester, which is great in snow and ice by the way.

 

[NachoRuby]

Whatever it is, would you want that during rock work?

Me personally? Yes, absolutely. I've always wanted to build a Baja bug. My bug is sentimental, so will stay stock, but Baja bugs are awesome. Simple, solid axles, light weight, minimal overhang, weight in the right places, Good visibility, high mounted intake, etc. Beetles have been climbing rocks since the 50s (the 40s counting the schwimmwagens and type 87s that jeeps beat in the war) . Also, ever heard of a VW thing? That's just a tall beetle.

Take a look at the one on the right. It's a beetle platform, rebodied. It was the German version of the jeep. VWs have always off-roaded, since ever.

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