The 10 harsh truths Jeep didn't come out with a V8 Jeep gladiator.

[JeepLife175]

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[DirkG]

Saw this after they posted it. While all the reasons are valid, the primary factor is that Jeep, like every manufacturer striving to sell vehicles in the United States (and beyond), was being driven toward EVs and zero-emission vehicles through incentives and upcoming legislation.

It made zero sense to invest in a Gladiator V8. The Wrangler V8 was obviously baked in years prior. How many "final" editions were there??

 

[smlobx]

While I would love a V8 the issue as I see it is that even though Jeep charges a premium for the Gladiator it has the weakest power plant in the group. So that for those of us that do more than commute the lack of decent power is an issue.

just for comparison here are the HP/torque values available in the major players…

Jeep 285/260

Chevy 310/430

Toyota 278/465

Ford Ranger 405/430

Another thing to point out is that each of the other players in this space offer different engine options, not just one so the cost argument is just BS. If Jeep wanted to be a serious competitor in this space they would offer more options…

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

The reasons so far in this thread are more valid than most of that video. It's also the same reason why they stopped offering the Gladiator with a manual transmission, not that people didn't buy them, they didn't make up enough of the sales to be worth it to investors, regardless if they still offer the same option for the Wrangler with the same powertrain.

The 3.6 CAN make better power, just not quite how the EPA (let's be honest, Cali) wants engines tuned. There's a reason people like Livernois Motorsports are making 20+hp with a retune (just an easy reference).

Also no one discusses FI (mostly turbocharging) for a couple reasons, mostly down to cost in the end. You can say they aren't reliable, yet most don't want to spend on forged internals to handle the boost they seem to want. This isn't just a Jeep thing either, you build your engine for the load you'll put on it. So in the end, COST = reason for most people.
-I'm not (generally) a fan of supercharging, so I'll leave it to this: they have similar issues to turbocharging in terms of tuning, and their own drawbacks such as power loss/gain ratio and increased crank wear over time (by design).

Expecting 100+hp from a stock engine that's built on a budget to pass emissions, after pumping 12+psi into it and not having a safe tune, or at least the ability to take full control, is insanity. Go slap a 100+hp turbo on a stock MODERN civic, or wrx, non-ecoboost v6 mustang, or camero...they'll blow up too.

These aren't built for power as is. And as such you will need to upgrade parts to handle the power you want from a modern vehicle. You do this for off-road, why not for power too?

 

[DiehardTory]

Just "clickbait" Trolling video.. only have 102,000 subscribers. . Did not waste time to watch. These guys are entertainers not FCA marketing dept or engineering group personnel. Yes they go to all the events and interact with whoever from the factory is on site; however, those executives keep the real info close to the vest. It did give a "LIKE" to one post that had valid info on What and Why mfgs build what they build. Until recent fuel regs relaxed, Corp Fuel Economy was the factor in multiple product decisions. Then the cost of Crash testing and EPA testing expenses be the Factor.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Ok I’m gonna say something not very popular. That is why would anyone want a V8? Their heavy as a Hemi is built out of cast iron, with the truthfully one cool thing is sound. Mileage goes away as soon as tires over 32/33” are used with any engine. But Jeep has developed an incredible engine lately with granted a short record. But the 2.0 Hurricane in the latest Grand Cherokee, with 324hp/332lbsft tq, at a considerable weight savings, plus mileage increases across the board. In a clean sheet engine design that has been built from the bottom up with the best technology available today. Like in the Grand Cherokee, leave the 3.6 as the standard, but offer the 2.0 across the trim levels. I say this only after taking a ne Grand Cherokee for a nice ride with a friend who just bought one. Who told me about the test drive in a 3.6, but then a 2.0, that was just an eye opener! Not quite as smooth as the 3.6, but with twice the power at half the rpm, not peak power at high rpm’s, but the equivalent at 2,000 in hp and tq being twice. Seems like a good deal in a mid sized truck.

 

[Ramboy]

I didn’t view the video but here’s my take. I believe that other brands in this class overall are outselling the Gladiator; when you bake in the single engine choice, other than the diesel, that may be why. However, I see things looking up because of more recent sales. The Gladiator sales have been declining overall, with annual sales dropping from 89,712 units in 2021 to 42,125 in 2024. However, there was an increase of 11% in sales in Q2 2025 compared to Q1 2025, indicating some recent improvement. Would that recent bump be improved by offering a V8? I think that’s probably the question Jeep is working on now. I think Jeep knows that overall a pure EV will not fly with Jeep purists, so why not add a V8 into the mix? Also, they may be looking at 392 numbers and trying to overlay those numbers with a potential V8 sales forecast for the Gladiator. Who knows? I would buy another Gladiator if it came out with the 5.7.

 

[Ramboy]

Ok I’m gonna say something not very popular. That is why would anyone want a V8? Their heavy as a Hemi is built out of cast iron, with the truthfully one cool thing is sound. Mileage goes away as soon as tires over 32/33” are used with any engine. But Jeep has developed an incredible engine lately with granted a short record. But the 2.0 Hurricane in the latest Grand Cherokee, with 324hp/332lbsft tq, at a considerable weight savings, plus mileage increases across the board. In a clean sheet engine design that has been built from the bottom up with the best technology available today. Like in the Grand Cherokee, leave the 3.6 as the standard, but offer the 2.0 across the trim levels. I say this only after taking a ne Grand Cherokee for a nice ride with a friend who just bought one. Who told me about the test drive in a 3.6, but then a 2.0, that was just an eye opener! Not quite as smooth as the 3.6, but with twice the power at half the rpm, not peak power at high rpm’s, but the equivalent at 2,000 in hp and tq being twice. Seems like a good deal in a mid sized truck.

I like the hurricane engine platform; I’ve had two 2.0 turbos and still have one. Both have been reliable, the first I had for 7 years with zero problems. Today, it all comes down to MPG and government standards for the manufacturers, not necessarily the owners. I still have a 1996 V10 that weighs 8k lbs dry that I will never let go. Yes, I get 10 MPG if I’m hauling, towing, or just hauling a**, but it gets the job done no matter how small or big. It’s all a personal choice as to what a person wants, needs and/or can afford. They all have their pros and cons.

 

[Sweetums]

I’m fine without a V8.

Demanding a V8 is putting the cart before the horse, it’s jumping to an old solution without defining the problem first.

What is the problem someone is trying to solve? More horsepower? More torque? Both? What if there was a better way than a V8, something that gets “V8 power” and torque. Looking back just 10 years to a Ram V8 and you see a 17 mpg truck that puts out 395 GP and 410 torque - that’s less than a base-spec Ford Ranger today with half the cylinders and about 1/3 the displacement.

So what’s the problem that a V8 would solve and is there a better solution than the old way of bigger, heavier, less efficient engines?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Ok I’m gonna say something not very popular. That is why would anyone want a V8? Their heavy as a Hemi is built out of cast iron, with the truthfully one cool thing is sound. Mileage goes away as soon as tires over 32/33” are used with any engine. But Jeep has developed an incredible engine lately with granted a short record. But the 2.0 Hurricane in the latest Grand Cherokee, with 324hp/332lbsft tq, at a considerable weight savings, plus mileage increases across the board. In a clean sheet engine design that has been built from the bottom up with the best technology available today. Like in the Grand Cherokee, leave the 3.6 as the standard, but offer the 2.0 across the trim levels. I say this only after taking a ne Grand Cherokee for a nice ride with a friend who just bought one. Who told me about the test drive in a 3.6, but then a 2.0, that was just an eye opener! Not quite as smooth as the 3.6, but with twice the power at half the rpm, not peak power at high rpm’s, but the equivalent at 2,000 in hp and tq being twice. Seems like a good deal in a mid sized truck.

It’s only about 200 lbs difference between a Hemi and 2.0L.

Not enough to be a factor in my opinion.

 

[Sweetums]

200# sitting right over the front axle sure makes a big difference in handling, stopping, and off road performance. A truck with 200# less weight hanging out in front sure handles differently over rough terrain.

 

[Gee Man]

While I would love a V8 the issue as I see it is that even though Jeep charges a premium for the Gladiator it has the weakest power plant in the group. So that for those of us that do more than commute the lack of decent power is an issue.

just for comparison here are the HP/torque values available in the major players…

Jeep 285/260

Chevy 310/430

Toyota 278/465

Ford Ranger 405/430

Another thing to point out is that each of the other players in this space offer different engine options, not just one so the cost argument is just BS. If Jeep wanted to be a serious competitor in this space they would offer more options…

Add the 5.7 Hemi the best on of all!

 

[Gee Man]

Add the 5.7 Hemi the best on of all!
395 HP, 410 torque wow!

 

[Sweetums]

Add the 5.7 Hemi the best on of all!

Uh, might want to check your math.
Ford Ranger 405 bhp 430 lb-ft
5.7 V8 as it sits in the Ram 1500: 395 bhp 410 lb-ft

It’s been a while since school, but I’m pretty sure the alligator says 405>395 and 430>410

 

[WambliSka]

Sooooo, other brands might be outselling Jeep in this class vehicle……. hummm…. Ok

but I’ll never know because besides the occasional well built Taco, never see ANY of them at the places I frequent and count on my Gladiator to take me to, sooooo…..

I’m good!!! °IIIIIII°

And as far as having a V-8 in my Jeep. Sorry, I don’t see why. Gave up smoking my tires in high school. My Gladiator accelerates as fast as I need it to every time I punch the pedal. So nope.

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