A Closer Look at the Jeep Gladiator and its Engine

Lauren H
Mar 4, 2021

Gray 2020 Jeep Gladiator From Front-Driver Side

Are you considering a Jeep Gladiator? If so, you probably want to know a little bit more about the engine before making any decisions. So, let’s start by reviewing the Jeep Gladiator engine.

What are the specs of a Jeep Gladiator engine?

The Gladiator has a 3.0L V6 engine, 285 horsepower, and 260 lb-ft. It can tow 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, comes with a six-speed manual transmission, or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2021 Gladiator has an optional 3.0L V6 turbodiesel with 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft.

There is a lot more information available about this Jeep and its engine. So, keep reading and we will give you more detailed information. But first, let’s go over a little Jeep Gladiator history. Then we will round out this article by answering the most frequently asked questions about this vehicle.

History of the Jeep Gladiator

The current Gladiator model is a midsize truck that was introduced in 2018. It is built on the same platform as the Wrangler JL. This is Jeep’s first truck since the Comanche which was discontinued in 1992.

The name Jeep Gladiator refers back to a model that was originally produced from 1962 to 1988. After 1971 this model was known as the Jeep J-Series. In 2004, the Gladiator concept was rolled out. This model did not have a removable roof, but it did have removable doors and a truck bed.

The most current Gladiator has four doors and can seat five passengers. The interior and exterior styling were designed to somewhat mimic the Wrangler JL. This truck has removable front and rear doors and a windshield that can be lowered.

The Gladiator is the only truck that has a convertible folding soft top. Its predecessors were the Jeep CJ-10, Jeep Comanche, and the Dodge Ram Dakota. It currently competes with the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, and the Toyota Tacoma.

People Also Ask

Where is the Jeep Gladiator Built?

The Jeep Gladiator is built in the USA at the FCA Jeep Factory in Toledo Ohio at its south plant.

Which is the Best Jeep Gladiator to Buy?

The Gladiator Mojave is the best model to buy because of its off-road capabilities. It can crawl its way over almost anything. It has the longest wheelbase than any other truck in its class. It also has the best ground clearance as well. But, if you do want to use it for off-roading, it might need some additional modifications.

Is the Jeep Gladiator Safe?

The NHTSA has not given this vehicle an overall safety rating as yet. But, it did give the Gladiator a 4-Star overall for the frontal crash tests, a 5-Star for the front passenger-side crash test, and a 3-Star rollover crash rating with the overall rollover risk being 26.70%.

Do any of the Gladiators Have a V8 Option?

No. The only factory engines currently available on the Gladiator are the 3.6 liter V6 with 285 horsepower or the 3.0 liter V6 turbo-diesel with 260 horsepower.

What is the Gas Mileage for the Jeep Gladiator?

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator gets 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway when being used for daily commuting. Other driving conditions such as off-roading could ultimately affect the overall gas mileage.

How Long is the Bed in a Jeep Gladiator?

The bed in the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is five feet long. It also comes with a special tailgate that makes it easier to haul things such as 4×8 sheets of wood, etc.

What Platform is the Gladiator Built On?

This vehicle is built on the advanced JL Wrangler platform — this after years of working out all the imperfections of previous installations.

How to Buy a Vehicle Without Making a Costly Mistake

The best thing to do before you make any buying decisions is to get a vehicle history report. This will help you avoid problem vehicles with known issues.

Click here now. Doing so will get you a free Vehicle History report for as many vehicles as you want to research. There is no obligation and you won’t ever be asked for a credit card. You will also have access to other free tools that will help research any vehicle(s) you want.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Kelsy S on May 23, 2021
Gladiator: the good the bad and the ugly.
The gladiator provides a smoother ride than a traditional wrangler. It has all the same off road capabilities and perks of a wrangler with the convenience of pick up bed. One problem I have had is that when removing the doors it does not always want to go into gear, I have had to the dealer multiple times with no luck in fixing so far. I also wish bigger tires came standard without paying for the rubicon since it is already at a higher price tag than my previous wranglers. Overall though I love the truck. I enjoy being able to remove the top and doors and still being able to travel with kayaks. I have also used it to pull a tow behind travel trailer over 700 miles with no issues other than gas mileage.
accountCircle Lyn S on June 20, 2021
Engine issues- Jeep support awful
We had two types of engine failure lights a half hour after buying this Jeep. Jeep Cares was awful. They would not buy it back, would not say why not or when they would. It was in different shops multiple times for weeks the first few months we had it. Unresolvable issues time after time and having to jump thru absurd hoops, and pretend fixes. We were paying insurance on an undrivable vehicle, while Jeep drug out the buy back for months, telling us to get an attorney, even though we met our state's lemon law. Then we got a different Jeep support person, and after about 6 months of unfixable engine issies, she started the buyback process.
accountCircle Jay C on September 21, 2021
Good car, not for short people.
I like the car overall. I have got a few issues with it but overall I’d give it a five out of five. The step to get into the car is too high in my opinion. I am five feet four inches and it is a bit hard to get into the car for me. The fact that the cars engine turns off to conserve energy at every stop also can be quite annoying sometimes, but I am learning to adjust. The steering functions are flawless though and it is a great all terrain vehicle, which is exactly what I needed it for.
accountCircle Marcelle M on March 21, 2021
Fire cracker red. Gets it noticed.
Comes with heated seats and steering wheel. Auto start., 4 wheel off road traction control and rock climbing feature. My driveway is a mile long. I do not have to plow when it snows. This jeep goes right through. The bed is great for caring feed, lumber and whatever else you might. Automatic or standard shift. Great gas mileage.. Plus all of the touch screen stuff. I add a winch and changed to a more aggressive tire for traction. Have yet to use some of the features. I really love it.
accountCircle Corey P on March 13, 2021
Fun truck and great on gas. Very easy to take off doors and roof!
I love the jeep gladiator, the convenience of being able to take the doors off and roof off in the summer makes it very enjoyable. Very good on gas and has done extremely well in the snow so far. This is a fun truck, I will end up buying it after the lease is up. The size is perfect, interior is awesome and the sound system is also fantastic. The truck bed is a bit small but that is okay as I really do not use it that often. Overall I love the jeep gladiator and how fun this truck is.
accountCircle John V on March 30, 2021
Jeep hybrid: the gladiator.
The jeep gladiator is the best of two worlds. The soft top is easy to open and makes it a topless jeep. The bed is a five foot pickup truck that easily holds a couch, bike or kayak. It has all the features of a jeep wrangler with the addition of a cargo bed! The stow feature under the second row of seats is a plus. There have been minor electrical issues with the screens and a jeep recall but other than that the vehicle has been solid and reliable.
accountCircle SRC on April 29, 2021
2020 Gladiator Features
I have 26,000 miles. My truck has been very reliable. The only issue I've had is the 'famous' rear window leak with the hard top. The jeep dealer replaced the rear window, which corrected the problem. No mechanical issues to date. I do follow the recommended service intervals outlined in owners manual. I really like the Blind Side feature. Has saved me 2 times so far. I also like the backup sensors feature.
accountCircle Christina H on June 5, 2021
Makes for great outdoor adventures.
My vehicle is amazing I am a mom of 2 and with this vehicle it allows us to travel and look for adventures. It is reliable, sturdy, and we feel safe in it. I love that we can take the top off when the weather is nice. The kids enjoy when we take it to the beach or go take it off roading. When you purchase this type of car you find yourself being part of a community you didn't know existed.
accountCircle Donns E on April 30, 2021
Overall appearance of the jeep gladiator is good.
Not the best driving vehicle, gas mileage not so good... Love the truck and accessories added on... Jeep is not the most comfortable seating for road trips. Way overpriced...We chose cloth seats over leather and tuff to keep clean. Doesn't have good speaker system. Prefer a navigation system installed, have to use CarPlay and not as user friendly. Do not like the center console area.
accountCircle Leslie T on June 9, 2021
Great vehicle with a touch and feel of luxury.
Performance is great. Gladiator has up to date features. Clean look both in the exterior and interior. In love with the electronic features. Comfortable for long drives. Jeep had definitely made some upgrades. Bluetooth, touch screen radio, backup camera change the feel of what jeep usual is meant as just an off road vehicle but to us it is more. A peace of luxury and wanderlust.
accountCircle Philip T on September 29, 2021
The value of a jeep is in the capability of where it can go.
The off-roading performance and capabilities are truly freeing and very important to the jeep name. Having a vehicle with such capability allows for transportation without worry. A capable vehicle is very important especially for those who like to “take the path less traveled.” comfort is good. Nice interior and good display. Not sure how it would hold up getting wet through.
accountCircle J G on May 27, 2021
Dont buy one yet or maybe ever
At 8,000 miles Electrical issues, die hard jeep fan but I had to have the factory steering box replaced as it was unsafe. AC comes on by itself when truck is turned on some times. Radio shorts out with a loud POP and resets to factory. Clock dosen't keep time. Dealership says no codes nothing they can ( will ) do. Radio numbers on volume screen are misinformed and distorted.
accountCircle Paul Z on July 21, 2021
Amazing truck that is worth buying.
Great car, drives great on the highway. Has plenty of space in the bed and the back seats which makes it comfortable for all passengers. The roof and doors are removable, which makes this a great summer weather truck. Handles very well, easy to maintain. Everything in the truck is waterproof, so you do not have to worry about unforeseen rain storms coming at you.
accountCircle Megan M on August 12, 2021
Jeep gladiator very satisfied review.
I have not encountered any problems with my jeep gladiator, it is everything I expected. The towing ability is reliable and strong, we have towed trailers and also pulled down trees after a hurricane. The wheelbase is longer than the wrangler body of course, but still has amazing off-road capability. Comfortable interior with traditional jeep style.
accountCircle Betty T on September 13, 2021
It really does catch the eye, also it is easy to park for a car of Its size.
I absolutely love the jeep gladiator. I will probably never purchase another car as he will be with us for life! So well made and great to drive! Surprisingly easy on the gas as well, we drove all the way from Cape Cod to NYC on less than one tank of gas! Also really great on storage and makes it easy for road trips or moving.
accountCircle Jeff T on August 10, 2021
Cannot go wrong with this truck!
Absolutely love this truck. The engine performance is great. Plenty of pick up with the 3.6l engine and the 8 speed transmission. Driving with the top off in the summertime is something my wife and kids really enjoy. For being a jeep, the mpg is great! I will definitely be buying another one for my next vehicle.
accountCircle Andrew A on June 4, 2021
Gladiator is a great buy!
The vehicle is fun, a great ride, and spacious for its class. The gladiator delivers on performance and reliability. It is really nice to have the fun of the wrangler and the utility of a pickup in one package. I bought the overland trim as I do not off-road often, but it is nice for the truck to be capable.
accountCircle Jasmine Y on August 11, 2021
Jeep gladiator is awesome.
The steering has a serious issue that needs to be fixed. The headlights are really dim and had to be upgraded right from the start. The look of the gladiator is awesome especially when the top can come off on a warm day. For the prize you would expect some of the features to be more upscale.
accountCircle Jonathan M on September 2, 2021
The perfection of the jeep gladiator.
This vehicle is perfect in every way. Five stars across the board. The ride is comfortable, the driving is responsive. Freedom top is good and the tonno cover it come with comes in handy. Fuel economy is better than expected. Seats are comfortable and interior storage is good.
accountCircle Aayush M on August 22, 2021
The roof is removable and it has a waterproof interior.
It is reliable and durable for off road and it is convenient with easy detachable parts and waterproof interior. It also is high for terrain and it can help with durability. The jeep is also a smooth ride when you are inside and it does not have problems and does not bump.
accountCircle Katrina H on April 6, 2021
2020 jeep gladiator
Absolutely love my jeep gladiator!! Looks amazing, drives amazing, and is tons of fun for road trips! I love how the top and the doors come off. I did have to get some steps so I could get in. The sound system is the best I have ever heard in a vehicle! My favorite car!
accountCircle Alex L on September 1, 2021
Love my jeep gladiator overland!
Love having the only open-air truck on the market! It is so easy to remove the top and I bought a $20 electric screwdriver to make it even easier. Only wish the 3rd piece of the top was easier to take off by 1 person. It is not too heavy, just a bit cumbersome.
accountCircle Rachel R on August 27, 2021
Jeep gladiator review 2020.
The gladiator is very high off the ground. The doors are also quite thin, therefore you can hear the wind when driving and makes it very loud. There is not a lot of space in the back seat. The car looks abnormal when you are used to a regular jeep wrangler.
accountCircle Nicholas O on April 17, 2021
The back is too small. But can still do everything a wrangler does
The vehicle looks nice but when trying to use the bed of the vehicle it falls short. You cannot pick up/buy and bring home any big item/furniture. I would just rather have a truck or a wrangler jeep not both. All in all I would not buy this vehicle again.
accountCircle Mike D on July 21, 2021
It is a wrangler but also a nice truck.
The jeep gladiator is a very capable vehicle it has the ability to go over anything just like the wrangler, except with this vehicle on the plus you have the storage of a truck. The only downfall is the gas mileage but it is a jeep so that is expected.
avatar Lauren H
Lauren H. has sold new and used cars, negotiated numerous car deals, has a thorough knowledge of the best and worst vehicles produced, and has spent the last 10-years as an automotive writer.
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