Sponsored

(Poll) what's better Jeep Wrangler OR Jeep gladiator and why.

Bandit’s Lair

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jason
Joined
Jul 9, 2025
Threads
33
Messages
2,893
Reaction score
4,757
Location
Southern California
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Sport S
Occupation
Retired
I'll be honest.. at first I hated the 4 door Wrangler, it seemed....wrong. But it grew on me.

When I first saw the Gladiator on the road, my wife says, "Oooo !! Me likes !!". I turned to her and said, "I'll pretend you didn't say that to a man that owns a proper REAL Jeep." (1953 Willys CJ-3A, 6-volt, in the garage). "That thing is an abomination to Jeeps. Jeep used to make proper pick-ups; not just slap a bed on the back of a Wrangler. That looks SO stupid.".

The more and more I saw them, the more I liked them. Gladiators are REAL popular in this part of Texas.

As I was getting ready to retire, I started thinking about my "retirement vehicle". Gladiators kept popping to the front of the list. Started reading reviews about them; the dreaded steering pump issue causing the vehicle to catch fire whether the vehicle is running or not, the wandering steering wheel, etc.. All the uh-oh's. It didn't really sway me.

But I bought one anyways. Love it.

Not one single issue.
I thought they were ridiculous when they first came out. Same thinking of just slap a bed on a 4DOOR. Whats next? Truck bed on a Cherokee to compete with the Maverick?

Then I saw a lifted one and realized the potential for a good looking truck. In stock form I’m still not a fan, but they do have potential to be a good looking, highly capable, off road truck. Having just put it through a bit more than just fire road type trails, it’ll get the job done. Just needs “tweaks” to fit my demands.
Sponsored

 

Higher_Ground

Well-Known Member
First Name
J. T.
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Threads
7
Messages
485
Reaction score
356
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gator Sport S
Gladiator: carry kayaks, dirt, trash, etc, more easily.

Wrangler: carry dogs more easily.

One thing I didn't consider when I bought my Gladiator was how impossible it was to carry my larger dogs in it. At the time I still had an Accord and they took up the backseat a lot easier than in the truck. After my kids were born, the dogs were relegated to the Outback.

The dogs have since passed, but when I consider getting a new vehicle that will be a factor I keep in mind that I didn't before.
 

mjfrank

Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Nov 3, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
8
Reaction score
10
Location
Fenton, MO
Vehicle(s)
2021 JTRD
Occupation
Security Solutions Architect
The Gladiator's better by a 5.5' foot bed. ;)

I've owned a CJ, a lifted TJ on 35's, and driven multiple JKU and JLU rentals on vacation for weeks at a time. I still love Wranglers, but the Gladiator was what I was waiting for in a Jeep.

I looked at one before I bought my last SUV, and just couldn't see it as a primary vehicle, Wrangler either. We went to the Cayman islands last Feb and had a Gladiator Sport(RHD) as a rental because our travel friends brought a shit-ton of scuba gear with them so we needed the luggage room. After spending a week with it there, I sold my Corvette and picked up the perfect used Gladiator a couple months later, a '21 JTRD, already lifted on 37s, with low miles. I had been wanting a truck again anyways, for the various DIY stuff I do around our houses, and was looking at used Tacomas, but the JT was calling me. Yeah, it's probably not as reliable as the Tacoma would have been, but it's way cooler! Plus, it's the first automatic Jeep that I've owned, so my wife finally gets to drive it too!
 

Mr Miami

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Jul 20, 2024
Threads
32
Messages
729
Reaction score
948
Location
Miami FL
Vehicle(s)
'24 JT Rubi, '16 JKU Willys, '99 TJ, '93 & 87 YJ's, '75 J10, '66 & '67 Jeepsters
Occupation
IT Specialist, Semi-retired
The topic of the thread is is like asking what is better, a pair of boots or a pair of running shoes.
Sponsored

 
 







Top