Gladiator most underrated, misunderstood vehicle on the road.

[Code 3]

2020 Mojave here, I love this vehicle.

History: As daily drivers/toys, I have had 2 Toyota 4-Runners (still regret selling both, 4.7 V8 and V6 MT), 1 Tundra, 2 FJ'S, 2 Land Cruisers, 1 Sequoia, 2 Solaras (wish I kept the red/black one) and even a couple Supras (TT 97's). Add in an M5 and a 550SL. I still have a Land Rover, an Audi and a Mazda.

So, I'm kind of a car guy. None of the above were/are as overall satisfying as my JTM. It's a toy AND a daily driver.

The JTM has an incredible ride considering the platform, ample power plus amazing traction, clearance and approach angle in an OEM package. Did I mention the roof and doors come off too? And I can tow stuff? Camp in, haul materials or a deer/ducks in the bed and just hose it out?

Also, the Jeep community is simply like no other.

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[Cajun4X4]

Agree 100%. Jeep got it right this time. Traded my first JK in for a Chevy, that lasted a year. Bought another JK and drove it for 6 years. Traded it for a GMC, that lasted 6 months. Picked up the JTR about 6 months ago and couldn't be happier. A mid-sized truck that's a Jeep!! Yes, life is good...

 

[Deleted member 28696]

When considering a Jeep Gladiator, I ended up talking myself out of purchasing one and got a fully loaded 2020 Canyon Denali, it was cheaper and it wasn't a Chrysler product which has been known to have quality issues. I had a Sebring which the front end literally fell out from under me and Chrysler wouldn't cover it because the part was previously replaced under recall & then failed.

I did like the 2020 Canyon Denali it's a good small truck but nothing was special about it. To use all of it's features required a separate monthly subscription and it's navigation voice recognition was horrible. It's leather seats were hard as a rock, they were cooled which was kind of neat. I kept on thinking about the JT overland that I test drove a year prior and after less than a year with the GMC Canyon decided to trade it in on a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, it just kept pulling at my heart strings for some reason, so I decided to pull the trigger and take a chance. I liked the stance of he Rubicon over the Overland. It's not quite as fancy as the GMC Canyon but I don't miss any of the features of the GMC. I didn't want a huge truck & wanted something that was easier to park & drive. I have since started modifying my truck to my taste, which was another reason I purchased this truck since I saw a SEMA build that was incredible & wanted to replicate it. I'm a wildlife photographer and liked having the open roof for getting birds of prey overhead that I was missing in my Canyon, the JTR also looks the part. The Canyon had chrome on the mirrors which would ruin my photos due to sunlight reflection, basically my Gladiator is an expensive wildlife blind lol. I've had no problems so far and I really love this vehicle, for me it's perfect.

 

[joeym7]

After owning my JTR for only about a month, I can say even as a decided buyer I didnt understand or appreciate just how good of a vehicle it is. In the first month Ive taken a 6 hour road trip with my wife and 2 kids, carried 4 adult coworkers for work trips, done some mild off-roading, towed my utility trailer, even hauled a little lumber (no plywood yet...), and daily driven it including picking kids up daily from daycare. It has been nothing short of awesome at every task.

Lets start with the road trip. When I bought the JT I was expecting to compromise on comfort. 3 hours into the trip I turned to my wife and said “damn I am comfortable”. Not sure if its the fox shocks on the Rubi, or if they all ride this way, but even with the MTs mine is phenomenal, particularly on the highway. Expansion joints are still a bit sharp as I would expect, but general ups and downs and bumps in the road it just floats over. Handling- I am used to a 2018 F150 (still have the pos), the JT is so much nicer to drive. A portion of the trip we took is on Interstate 99 (rt15) from corning ny to williamsport pa. That stretch of interstate is so winding and up and down in elevation I have always been shocked they make it a 70mph speed limit. With the F150 I never did 70 because quite frankly it didnt feel like it would make the turns. With the JT I set the cruise at 73 and never had to adjust. If there are steering issues with these mine definitely doesnt have the issue, it steers perfect with minimal play on center. To sum this part up the I prefer the JT in comfort and handling over my F150, which is the opposite of what I expected.

Off road: I havent done anything crazy yet, but have tested out the sway disco etc on snow banks in my driveway, driven alot of miles of dirt and just today some snow/ice/water/mud covered seasonal roads. The factory MTs are awesome. Visibility is way better than a 1/2 ton truck. I always know right where my tires are, and the nimbleness of the smaller platform is incredibly valuable.

Truck utility: Yes its a small bed. But so far I havent needed more room. No Im not a construction worker, but I do a lot of diy home projects, hunt, fish, camp etc... I did install a swingcase and literider tonneau. My thoughts on the bed so far are that it is small but sufficient, and just requires a bit more organization than a larger bed. Towing my 18’ PJ utility trailer was a far different experience than I expected. Again the nimbleness of the JT benefits in making tight maneuvers in my driveway- never gave that part a thought before. The mirrors are small, but with the open trailer I could see just fine. I did add some cheap convex spotter mirrors from amazon which drastically improve trailer visibility in the mirror as well. Power was sufficient, I only hauled about 4k total this time, but was pleasantly impressed with how it pulled, I live on a steep hill so just leaving my driveway is a test.

So here is why I say it’s underrated and misunderstood. Everyone seems to overlook that this will do all the things Ive mentioned- haul your family, tow your boat, run to the hardware store, off road... AND its a convertible. The convertible part is why I bought it. It was 60 in NY today and I had to take the top off (not a bad 1 person job for the hard top by the way). Then I set out for some seasonal roads, to find them still packed with snow and ice, muddy in places and running water in others. The JT never missed a beat, never even needed 4 low. It was the best day Ive had in a while, eating lunch on the tailgate in the 60 degree sun with 8 inches of snow under the truck was awesome. The best part was knowing not many other vehicles could get to where I was, and other than a wrangler none could do it topless. I then returned home, put the top back on, went to the car wash, picked up my kids and took my family to dinner.

This is a true swiss army knife of a vehicle. And unlike most multi-tools it seems to do most things very well- maybe a jack of all trades, master of...most? The price is off putting to most- I used to bitch about it too. After owning one I can say its worth every damn penny. Kudos to the Jeep engineers- this thing is excellent, just hope that others will eventually see all that it is capable of.

I know this post was made a while ago, but it is a great one which explains why the JT is so special...Looking forward to getting mine as soon as I can place a 2022 order...To think I started with the Frointier, which isn't a bad truck at all, but there is not much to get excited about, it looks like and does pretty much the same thing all the other trucks in this class do...JT can do all that and then many things the other trucks can't do. That makes it more fun and more interesting, imo.

-Joe

 

[Fastwake]

I agree with all. I love my Jeepston

 

[Sky Soldier]

I special ordered my 2020 Firecracker Red JT Rubicon with every option available except cold weather pkg (live in SoCal) and smokers group. I have owned four brand new Jeep Wranglers. This JT Glad is by far the best. Smooth riding, off road capability is second to none, and comfortable seats. The cruise control works as well as the one on our Tesla. The eight speed automatic transmission is so versatile on or off road. Couldn't be more pleased.

 

[NC_Overland]

When considering a Jeep Gladiator, I ended up talking myself out of purchasing one and got a fully loaded 2020 Canyon Denali, it was cheaper and it wasn't a Chrysler product which has been known to have quality issues. I had a Sebring which the front end literally fell out from under me and Chrysler wouldn't cover it because the part was previously replaced under recall & then failed.

I did like the 2020 Canyon Denali it's a good small truck but nothing was special about it. To use all of it's features required a separate monthly subscription and it's navigation voice recognition was horrible. It's leather seats were hard as a rock, they were cooled which was kind of neat. I kept on thinking about the JT overland that I test drove a year prior and after less than a year with the GMC Canyon decided to trade it in on a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, it just kept pulling at my heart strings for some reason, so I decided to pull the trigger and take a chance. I liked the stance of he Rubicon over the Overland. It's not quite as fancy as the GMC Canyon but I don't miss any of the features of the GMC. I didn't want a huge truck & wanted something that was easier to park & drive. I have since started modifying my truck to my taste, which was another reason I purchased this truck since I saw a SEMA build that was incredible & wanted to replicate it. I'm a wildlife photographer and liked having the open roof for getting birds of prey overhead that I was missing in my Canyon, the JTR also looks the part. The Canyon had chrome on the mirrors which would ruin my photos due to sunlight reflection, basically my Gladiator is an expensive wildlife blind lol. I've had no problems so far and I really love this vehicle, for me it's perfect.

I had a Canyon All Terrain with all the available options before my Gladiator. It was a better truck in every measurable way and it was cheaper. However, I like my Gladiator better. It has an X factor that I can’t describe. My Canyon was way more powerful, handled way better, got better mpg, towed better, arguably better looking, etc but it just didn’t make me smile like the Gladiator does. I do miss the stock 6.1 sec 0-60 and the handling, but that’s about it.

 

[Mojave2021]

Agree with the OP. When going thru my right rear axle leak with my JTM I seriously couldn’t contemplate a vehicle I would want to replace it with. Luckily knock on wood that issue seems to be addressed.

My prior car was a Challenger 392 but I enjoy owning the JT more. Obviously not as fast but I find the JT just as fun to drive especially with the convertible option. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the handling and cornering given that it’s a truck too. Much better than the SUVs I’ve had in the past that felt tipsy.

Adding a Pedal controller and an AWE exhaust helped enhance the fun factor too.

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