How do Gladiators handle on the highway?

[GeekJT]

Be honest. Asking about stock not modified Gladiators. I was fairly unimpressed when I test drove a Gladiator on the highway. It reminded me of a VW van getting pushed around in crosswinds. Off the highway it felt like any other decent modern vehicle... no issues. But on the highway at 75 mph I wondered how much I would enjoy a 5 hour drive... or not.

Coming from a 2013 Wrangler to the 2025 Gladiator some of our (wife and I) impressions.

The longer wheelbase, obviously gives it a better ride, true of anything with a longer wheelbase. We opted for the Mojave, and it feels really secure in turns, not something i would of said about our sahara (which we loved lol).

I'd say it handles a lot better overall, better ride (Mojave especially with its big fox shocks). But yeah, jeep life bro, if you want something more "car" like, ford ranger raptor will give you that with it's IFS setup. Jeeps have a big tough dana 44 front axle. But the gladiator does the best it can with it, i believe as can be done.

But it is still very much a Jeep, and jeep life, just refined some. Im at about 2100 miles now on it, we have done some longer 3+ hr drives and we love it.

I do think we are going to do some castor to help with the steering wonder later, but it's minor, keep ya awake ya know? LOL

My other car is a 2024 Mustang GT. So if we want quick and nimble we have that too. But 50% of the time with wife just wants to ride in the jeep. Especially in summer with her top off. err I mean the jeep's top off.

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[GeekJT]

I run stock stabilizer and sticker air pressure in the tires. Rides and handles like a dream.
And with correct pressure, my tires wear perfect and last forever.

your dreams must be pretty rough jajajajajaja

 

[Master_Cylinder]

I finally test drove 3 Gladiators the other day. As I’m getting closer to ordering one. I needed to figure out if I liked the Mojave X, Rubicon X, or Sport S with Max Tow. After reading posts on this forum for a couple of years, I was expecting a vehicle that was so slow it couldn’t merge onto the highway; the steering was so bad it would be drifting all over while the vibration would make your arms ache; it would be so loud your ears would bleed.

I was pleasantly surprised on how great all three rode! I took all of them on a 20 mile loop which included interstate, highway, and local roads. I drove them back to back. All of them had tight steering with no wander. I did feel that the Rubicon had more road feel in the steering, but I’ll have to drive them again. The Mojave did drive the nicest, but reminded me of the SUVs that I drive. Plus, with my wife’s back issues, I won’t be doing any high speed off-roading. I am going to focus on the Rubicon X for me because I felt that it had the truck feel that I’m looking for.

Again, just my opinion. You guys that have these vehicles and drive them everyday know better. I hope to join this group soon! I would be very happy with any of these three models.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I finally test drove 3 Gladiators the other day. As I’m getting closer to ordering one. I needed to figure out if I liked the Mojave X, Rubicon X, or Sport S with Max Tow. After reading posts on this forum for a couple of years, I was expecting a vehicle that was so slow it couldn’t merge onto the highway; the steering was so bad it would be drifting all over while the vibration would make your arms ache; it would be so loud your ears would bleed.

I was pleasantly surprised on how great all three rode! I took all of them on a 20 mile loop which included interstate, highway, and local roads. I drove them back to back. All of them had tight steering with no wander. I did feel that the Rubicon had more road feel in the steering, but I’ll have to drive them again. The Mojave did drive the nicest, but reminded me of the SUVs that I drive. Plus, with my wife’s back issues, I won’t be doing any high speed off-roading. I am going to focus on the Rubicon X for me because I felt that it had the truck feel that I’m looking for.

Again, just my opinion. You guys that have these vehicles and drive them everyday know better. I hope to join this group soon! I would be very happy with any of these three models.

Yeah, I can also say when I was shopping I was expecting far worse after reading posts on the forums, but everything is subjective. From folks saying the ride is spine jarring to they walk all over the highway with sloppy steering, I found neither were the case. Sure, they wander a little, but nothing alarming and honestly I don't think most people will even realize it unless they were told about it.

I knew I wanted a diesel but I decided to give the Mojave a chance, I did not like it at all, it was too soft and didn't feel like a truck should IMO. I didn't bother test driving a Sport or Overland because I knew I didn't want either of those models. I found the Rubicon was plenty comfortable, and even now with stiffer riding Bilstein shocks and high capacity springs it still rides very nice.

But then again if I believed everything I read on the internet then my truck should have spontaneously combusted by now, technology should have ceased to work in year 2000, we should be at WW4 or 5, the air should be unbreathable and we should all be dead from a virus so...

 

[Figmo]

Even with 35s I have zero issues with streetability. Cruise 80-85 with confidence. And while I’ve sat in more comfortable seats, the Rubi isn’t horrible to me.

Now….ask me about MPG….

(don’t ask)

 

[NC_Overland]

Funny how many people never had a 2020 and don’t realize that this is from 2019 and about the old, awful aluminum steering gear. I didn’t even like driving mine on the hwy before I had it replaced under warranty with the new design. I never felt safe or completely in control.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Two things. This was posted in 2019 when we had the original aluminum steering gear and it was terrible. Secondly, I disagree. Mine is remarkably composed and stable on the hwy. Is it like my Audis and BMWs? Of course not, but it’s comparable or better than any other mid sized truck I’ve ever had.

I was being slightly facetious there with that statement. The JT drives way better on the highway than my LJ did. My first drive from the stealership was about 2.5 hours down from LA and it was a dream. I do have the Anti-Rock up front and set on the softer side so I do get some sway but I actually like the way Jeeps drive like that. I’ve had drives from anywhere between a fully modified ricer with Tein racing suspension to a Ford Transit and I think the Jeep rides better than all of em. That’s just my preference though.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Funny how many people never had a 2020 and don’t realize that this is from 2019 and about the old, awful aluminum steering gear. I didn’t even like driving mine on the hwy before I had it replaced under warranty with the new design. I never felt safe or completely in control.

Maybe true, but when folks talk about it (other than this thread) they say all Gladiators handle like shit. No mention of year ranges or steering box upgrades.

 

[NC_Overland]

Maybe true, but when folks talk about it (other than this thread) they say all Gladiators handle like shit. No mention of year ranges or steering box upgrades.

If you drive my 2018 Colorado and my 2020 gladiator back to back, there is a huge difference. It feels clumsy and slow. Slow in all around performance. It does ride noticeably better though However, post aluminum steering gear, I like it on road trips. It’s very smooth and stable and the leather overland seats are very comfortable. I’ve driven all over the SE and also cross country a few times. I’ve even driven it through tropical storms and severe thunderstorms with high winds and such torrential downpours that I had it in 4wd on the interstate.

I do think that someone should edit the title and first post to more explicitly mention the date and aluminum steering gear back then.

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