Is The Gladiator THAT Ugly?

[Elwenil]

I used to think they were a bit awkward looking when the pics were first released. After month of looking at the white Rubicon in the showroom 10' from me I have come around to liking them. After test driving one last week I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on one but will probably wait until after the 1st of the year.

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[DenverGladiator]

I have a stock Sport S with soft top and am the first to admit the soft top looks terrible open and I’m not a fan of the “hump” when it is closed. I usually have the top completely off which looks much better. I bought a Gladiator because I like having the top down/off ... I chose function over form. I’ll switch the wheels out once I wear out the tires, no sense giving away wheels/tires that work fine in the interim. I’d rather spend my money in the beginning on tonneau cover, racks, and other mods that serve a function. Since I tow with mine, I have no interest in lifts or oversized tires.

 

[RIPLER]

F'em, I had a first generation Titan, Ram 1500 Sport, and 2 second generation Titans and now the Gladiator. Not one time did I get stopped to talk about those other trucks, I get stopped all of the time in the Gladiator. I could give a shit less what other people think, most of them are jealous. That said, I'm glad i bought the Rubicon version, I dont like the looks of the Sport or Overland, but that can easily be changed with mods.

 

[BK_Yeti]

Ugly = character. Much better than wind tunnel designed blandmobiles

 

[canyonrat]

When other mid-size trucks pull by I find myself looking at the logo, is that a Nissan? Toyota? Chevy? Etc... Who can out-streamline and out-generic the other?

Not so with the Gladiator, it is what it is and make no mistake, there’s nothing like it. “Jeep” on the tailgate is redundant. Gladiator IS Jeep, it bleeds it...

 

[DropW]

I love the look of it . I am wondering if a lot has to do with the fenders, especially the front . On all other trucks the fenders aren't separate pieces and just barely stick out from from the side panel . Meanwhile the Jeep has aggressive fenders that jut out and when looking at the vehicle from the side it almost looks like the engine compartment is "smooshed" due to how high the fenders go up . All the other modern trucks have a more fuller look to their front quarter body . This difference may be too different from the norm of a lot of people when all they see is the same quarter panel flow on pretty much all other vehicles out there .

 

[Murgatroid]

I don't think of it as a beauty contest when it comes to trucks, it's a cool contest, and by far the Gladiator is the coolest truck ever built because it bases it's style on the original Willy's MB.

 

[RSK]

I can’t go anywhere without the conversation starting “how you do like the Jeep truck?” or “that rubicon looks awesome!”. HD, Lowe’s, Walmart, gas pump, restaurants, red lights or wherever heads turn, pictures are taken or someone just wants to ask about it or wish they had one.

I’ve only heard how cool it looks and nothing negative or the U word.

 

[ColoradoGlad]

The Gladiator doesn't photograph well from some angles, but in person it's the most incredible looking vehicle on the road at this time.

It turns heads everywhere it goes...

The rubber band tires that come stock on the Sports don't help with the looks of the Truck, but a set of 33's or 35's on the stock Sport wheels actually looks good.

With a 2" lift the Gladiator becomes an imposing figure. Even with the stock 33's on stock Ruby wheels..

I'm probably one of the few that don't mind the taillights..

The Gladiator has grit and a ton of personality.

To answer your question, HELL NO it's not ugly... smile..

 

[wooderson]

I like my Overland. I like the stock wheels it came with. I think it looks good. I like the classic, old fashioned truck look that it has. I don't care if anyone else likes it, or what they think about it. I am happy with it.

I have had quite a few people stop and comment on it. The remarks have all been positive, so far.

You nailed it with the classic, old fashioned truck statement. I think the Overland nails that look as it has that understated look and doesn't seem to be trying too hard. My wife and I both love old 70's trucks and that is what it reminds us of.

Now there is still good chance I go Rubicon "come on Gator" since it's only $3700 more for comparable builds but what draws me to the Overland is that classic look without the monster truck look.

 

[Mark Doiron]

I figured I'd stick the the 33s that come on the Rubi version once I get mine (though I do have 35s on my JKU). Then I saw one at the dealer on 35s. It makes a huge difference. And I'm not sure what the OEM wheel offset is, but with the JKs it makes a big difference to move the wheels out either with a better backspace, or wheel spacers.

As for what your Chevy/Ford/Ram* loving friends say: Have your top and doors off next time you meet up with them. You don't have to say a thing; they'll get the point.

*God forbid any of them love Toyotas.

 

[Uparms]

I’ve had 4 friends now (none of which are car guys) tell me that my gladiator is hideous. One of them said “god, I can’t even look at it, the proportions are all wrong”. Another said, “it just looks like a wide brimmed top hat” (which after making this picture, I agree with haha)

Do any of you that own it, think it’s ugly or is everyone in love with it? I can honestly say, I think it looks really cool, but there are one or two bad angles when looking at it

Was the Hummer H1 ugly. Did the late mod Toyota FJ Cruiser get high reviews for good looks. Is the new Toyota P/U a pretty truck? How about that eye catching Mercedes UniMog, the early Land Rover Series IIA, how about that runway model, the International Harvester Scout. Can't leave off the Zuke Samuarai. How about them real late model Mercedes M-class, R-class, GL-class, G-class?? Land Rover Discovery ? Any questions about looks for them?

Yep some may not like the looks till we pull them out of the picnic/concert mud or head out to play in the snow or coastal floods or surf fish while they are locked down on the yard.

 

[Onebigyoshi]

Count me in the group of people's wives who think it's ugly. For some reason, it doesn't seem to have the same effects with females as the Wrangler dose.

I don't have nothing against females driving a wrangler, but this here is one of the small reasons why I love the Gladiator more. 7 out of 10 times I see a wrangler with a female driving it. I love the Gladiator because of the uniqueness. Females in general are attracted to SUVs. I guess I'm lucky to have a girlfriend who thinks the gladiator is badass

 

[BLK HOLE]

The Gladiator is just a truck that SCREAMS 37s...anything else just looks odd. 35s barely make the cut. But a Sport model just looks odd...no rock rails front/rear, roller skates for tires. no real badging, ultra basic bumpers....they just don't lend themselves well to the bodystyle of the truck.

To me the only good looking stock model is the Rubicon.

 

[Cleankat]

I think the ugliness is part of the appeal. I love it. Makes my wife uncomfortable because everywhere we go people are staring. Maybe it's just because I'm so handsome.

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