Two Years Left for the Current Gen—What do you think we’ll see?

[JmattNYC]

With roughly two years left for the current Gladiator generation, I’ve been wondering how Jeep plans to wrap it all up. We’ve had a steady stream of limited editions and new hood styles lately, but what’s the endgame for these final model years?

There’s plenty of speculation floating around out there. TK Garage has been talking about rumors of a potential EcoDiesel return, as well as the 5.7L HEMI making an appearance. And, of course, there’s the big news that the manual transmission is likely making a comeback.

Beyond the powertrain rumors, I really hope they continue to give us more variety in the final stretch—more unique paint colors, more soft-top configurations, and some cool new grille designs to play with.

What’s your take on the overall strategy? Do you think we’ll see an Xtreme Recon package finally hit the Gladiator before they close the book on this generation, or will it just be more cosmetic special editions until the end? What are you guys expecting?

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[JmattNYC]

For me personally I really wish the brand would offer more specialized attention to the Sport S Max Tow trim. It feels like such a solid, capable platform that deserves some of those limited-edition treatments.

I’d love to see a new Freedom Edition or even dedicated retro-inspired packages. Bringing back the Golden Eagle or Scrambler editions for this generation of Gladiators feels like a natural fit that should have happened already—there is so much potential for these heritage designs.

 

[agoldxj]

As long as they don’t make Gecko an option again I don’t really care to much.

 

[JmattNYC]

As long as they don’t make Gecko an option again I don’t really care to much.

Gecko was cool, little more tone down then mojito which i love. I miss Nacho btw, I could see many building tonka trucks.

 

[agoldxj]

I actually saw an all color matched nacho wrangler today, was on what looked to be 35s. That looked really good.

 

[Vtur]

More engine choices is a must.

 

[Oilburner]

Is a standard break controller & 'tow/haul' mode too much to ask?
Oh yeah & a 5.7L

 

[JmattNYC]

Is a standard break controller & 'tow/haul' mode too much to ask?
Oh yeah & a 5.7L

I never understood why they never just added the brake controller it as standard on the tow packages. SMH. A dedicated tow/haul mode was not added because they said the transmission can apadt on its own.

 

[Janster]

I think they should keep the Wrangler look …. and most definitely, the doors & top must still come off!!!

I’m not a fan of some of the retro photo‘s I’ve seen of the older jeep front ends. Change it slightly….but keep it Wrangler looking. If they wanted to pay respect to Jeep truck history, they should’ve designed the Gladiator with that retro front ends in 2020 when the Gladiators first came out. The Gladiator is too young in its current existence to change the front end!

More engine options….for sure. Don’t be like everyone else and give us a 4cylinder turbo and wash your hands of it. BORING!!

 

[Guns_N_Rosaries]

Don't kid yourselves. The next gen is going to have cheaper parts, a junky 4 cylinder turbo that will make 30 more horsepower at the cost of reliability and longevity, and the same automatic transmission while increasing the price $4k-$5k. Auto manufacturers (especially in the US) are trying their absolute best to try and not sell any vehicles.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

Gecko was cool, little more tone down then mojito which i love. I miss Nacho btw, I could see many building tonka trucks.

Hey, Mojito gives acid/alien vibes, and had I found one in manual I would have went for it as a theme. Underrated color for younger people, which after all IS their intended market. RAM owners are generally older and have more "work to do" than Gladiator owners. Let's be honest, most older people want to feel safe when driving vs younger people, and generally feel safer in bigger vehicles.

More engine choices is a must.

Unless it's that POS 4 cylinder. I'm barely on board with the Hurricane I6T due to design choices regarding the exhaust manifold, or lack thereof more so. Just not a design meant to be reliable long term like a separate manifold/head design would be, ESPECIALLY when it's directly feeding the Turbine side over 2400*F and soaking in heat all day in stop-and-go traffic.

If they can fit an I6 and a turbo, and are charging $60k+, they can design a separate exhaust manifold and head for the turbo.

Or they'll just be cunty and charge you a monthly/yearly fee for more power like VW and others have been this year.

Is a standard break controller & 'tow/haul' mode too much to ask?
Oh yeah & a 5.7L

Brake controller MODULE (not built into the radio like POS FORD) with tow package yes, "tow/haul mode" should be a button that you can fully enable/disable on the fly like truck once were. Some trucks are starting to have these features built in, but don't allow full control like a dedicated module would.
- I quit a DOT driving job when they got new F350s that had the BC built into the radio, management claimed "don't you like new vehicles every year? And these come with the brake controller in the radio"....maybe it wouldn't have been an issue if the radio-based BC actually allowed me to test the entire system in case I get a random DOT stop while driving, but NOOOOOO the oem system did NOT allow this. Which meant we would be stuck on the side of the road until they brought ANOTHER truck that COULD complete this test for the DOT official.
-- That and the fact they spent over $1,000,000/year on new trucks alone, not including equipment or big rigs...then tried blaming the workers for "not being able to achieve their bonuses because 'we cannot afford it'"



More RELIABLE engine options is welcome though.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

I think they should keep the Wrangler look …. and most definitely, the doors & top must still come off!!!

I’m not a fan of some of the retro photo‘s I’ve seen of the older jeep front ends. Change it slightly….but keep it Wrangler looking. If they wanted to pay respect to Jeep truck history, they should’ve designed the Gladiator with that retro front ends in 2020 when the Gladiators first came out. The Gladiator is too young in its current existence to change the front end!

More engine options….for sure. Don’t be like everyone else and give us a 4cylinder turbo and wash your hands of it. BORING!!

I'm very torn on this one. I love the old Gladiator heritage but I'm convinced they will end up axing it if it becomes it's own truck platform and get the Comanche Treatment because the Dakota is coming back. Keeping it a variant of the Wrangler is probably the safest route to keep the Gladiator here for the long run.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

I'm currently thinking a sheet being draped over the nameplate and then rolling it in the back of a warehouse somewhere to make room for the Scrambler. But if it does continue, I'd bet on a turbo-4 and parts/options that keep it just below the Wrangler.

 

[dirty red label]

How about just making the Jeep more reliable?

 

[Ferd]

Extreme Recon w/35s, full float, 5.7, would be a nice send off.
Will likely never see a V8 as no v8s are truly modern any longer except the v8s in Corvettes and Mustangs. I don’t see the financial sense investing in a new Hemi version.

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