Looking at buying - question about back seat room

[mrp_84]

First off, thanks for the add! I've recently become a huge fan of the Jeep Gladiator. I enjoy backpacking in out in West Texas and the off road ability of the Jeep Gladiator have drawn me in. I currently own a 2012 Honda Pilot, and while I'm probably still a year or two away from pulling a trigger, I figure it's never too early to start the research. My question/concern is how practical is the Gladiator as the primary vehicle for a family of 4?

The other vehicle I was previously looking at was the Honda Passport due to its off road option, however limited they may be. Obviously the Jeep checks that box off much better. Looking at specs leg room is about the same and there's a 6 inch drop off in shoulder room going to the Gladiator. Could I comfortably fit an 8 year and a 3 year old in the back seat and have them continue to big comfortable over the life of the gladiator? I've read several posts about young kids in carseats and dogs, but not much about fitting "older" kids up to teenagers. I feel that storage is a wash between the two given the bed of the gladiator so no concern there. It's really just can I expect my passengers to be comfortable as they grown over the next 8+ years.

Sorry for the rambling post, this would be my first Jeep product, so I can't compare it previous experience.

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[BAT]

My daughter is 15 and she has no issues with riding in the back space. Granted she did lose space moving from a Ram 1500 crew cab to the Gladiator but so far she has had no issues. My wife is not that tall so she can move the passenger seat forward a bit to give her more space. I just threw on a heavy duty seat cover from 4 Canines and she and the dog are enjoying especially when I pop the soft top and open it up. Even my mother in law wants to ride in it all the time with the top off and she is 78 and loving it. She thinks its the coolest vehicle

 

[mrp_84]

Awesome, that's what I was looking for. I'm at the point where I'm almost hoping my Pilot give's me a reason to buy the Gladiator, haha.

 

[WhyOtter]

I don't have older kids but we regularly put a front facing car seat, a booster and a 10 year old in the back of the gladiator. Definitely not as roomy as my old super crew F150 but they don't have any complaints other then a little trouble getting the seat belt in beside the car seat.

We for sure would not have made it in the other mid size trucks I was shopping before deciding on the Gladiator. The width of every other truck in this class (I shopped them all) was much too small in the back seat.

 

[noside85]

go for a test drive w the fam!

 

[j.o.y.ride]

The Jeep is going to be a lot narrower inside than the cavernous Pilot. It will depend on what all you take inside with you. If it's just the kids in back they will be fine. If they like to have their own bags and pillows and entertainment it will get crowded quickly.

With the rear seats folded I think you have a lot more volume in the pilot for gear too, but for us it was always stuff that was sandy from the beach or dirty from baseball and bike parks, or wet from swimming. Having that stuff go in the bed was a significant reason we got the Gladiator.

The Gladiator is not at all a big truck. But it's a Jeep and solid front axle. Nothing else really like it on the market. If IFS is okay and you need more volume and want to get offroad to camping locations and such then I'd check the 4Runner for SUV and Tunrda TRD Pro for bigger truck.

When we go to to baseball tournaments we fill the bed easily with our 10x10 tent, grille, 65qt Yeti, baseball gear, chairs, etc. It's just enough space for that.

Of course you can always add a cap to the bed, or bed rack and roof boxes, etc.

 

[mrp_84]

Thanks for the responses.

Sounds like the room should be fine. It's just the two kids and maybe a small "goody bag" of sorts for each. It would take some getting used to on some fronts, but definitely doable. Either way, whatever my next vehicle is will be smaller than my Pilot, but as the kids get older what they bring should become less and less - at least in theory.

 

[bastage]

So backseat space is what got me into the Gladiator. My daughter who was 5'7" at 13 years old had to be able to sit comfortably in the back seat. And I wanted a smaller truck then my F150 crew cab. We went to the dealerships for EVERY mid sized pickup available & the only other one she even managed to get her knees in behind me in was the new ranger. Int he ranger she fit, but there wasnt room to grow. The Gladiator there was. I was able to get out of the drivers seat & fit in the seat behind me. Wasnt comfortable at 6'3" & 260 lbs, but I fit. Would be ok for short rides, but I wouldnt wanna ride back there on a road trip.

 

[Gene26]

My daughter is 14 and 5’ 8’” fits with no issues behind me with seat all the way back my son is 6’5” and 300lbs and fits behind my wife for short trips. But when we take the top off he fits a lot better

 

[Gvsukids]

I came from an 07 Pilot, and agree it's not as cavernous. But I don't miss that and like the tighter confines of the Gladiator. Rear legroom hasn't been a problem for adults riding back there. I'm 6'2"and could fit in the rear seat behind my front seat location. The Gladiator isn't as wide either with the body being inside the wheel wells, but I'm happy with it.
The longer wheelbase is a definite benefit when towing.

 

[HorneyBadger]

The back area is bigger than any other "mid-size" truck. Hands down better than the Tacoma! Unless you and the spouse are over 6' then there should be plenty of leg room for the kids(unles s they are giganticus)

NOTE: When we go out wheelin I usually put a mid sized cooler on the floor behind my seat so the wife reaches it easily. Or my shooting bag/ammo cans and a pistol case or 2 before I ever start using the seat area.

 

[basicGlad]

Out of all the midsized truck the gladiator has the most back seat room. I'm 171 cms and I can sit behind my self. My new bourn baby's car seat doesn't even touch the front seat and there's still room to put my hand and pull the car seat release lever.

Plus the Gladiator has rear climate vents so your kids get heat or ac too

There's a cheap mod that lets you open the back doors wider, since it's just held in place by a strap. Easier for car seats.

I only wish they didn't crop the back doors

 

[Empty Pockets]

My 16 year old grandson is 6’2”, rides in the back often and does not complain (though he does find a lot of other worthwhile crap to bit...... oh well. You get it). I went from a full sized Silverado crew to the gladiator. No complaints.

 

[Mac]

I have a 17 and 14 year old, back seat is fine, we had a Tundra crewmax before which is huge, I really wanted a Tacoma but the rear seat is just too small. We had a couple JKUs previously as well and the JT is a big improvement.

 

[Br4hm4]

The best size information I can provide is this. Just after getting my Gladiator, my wife and my 2 year old in Graco 4-ever car seat went to visit my folks. Well my parents wanted to check it out so we all piled in to the Gladiator. Dad and I up front, mom, wife, and kiddo in the back seat. Now I wouldn't recommend doing a road trip like this, but we all went on a 20 min ride around town and everyone was comfortable.

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