For the longest time when people say Jeep, most will be thinking of the legendary off-road “Jeep,” which is the Wrangler. The more knowledgeable car enthusiasts know that there are also other Jeep models like the Grand Cherokee, Renegade, and Compass—all capable sport utility vehicles of varying size, price, and levels of luxury and performance.
But most people—at least those outside North America — won’t be aware of a Jeep that’s not the traditional “Jeep.” That’s because it’s actually a pickup — a vehicle genre most people don’t associate with the brand.
But Jeep has actually been selling its Comanche pickup in America from 1986 to 1992. Still, it’s been a looong 28 years since even America has seen a Jeep-branded pickup. And now, finally, there’s a new one — and it’s made its way to the Philippines. It’s called the Gladiator.
Jeep describes the Gladiator as “not just a Wrangler with a truck bed” — although that’s exactly what you’ll think when you see one. They look practically identical when viewed from the front all the way to the rear doors — and in many ways they are. Jeep even says that the Gladiator uses the Wrangler’s easy-to-remove aluminum doors. And like the Wrangler, the Gladiator is also equipped with a removable windshield and freedom top which only takes 20 minutes to dismantle.
Of course for true Jeep enthusiasts, just looking like an icon won’t cut it. Which is why Jeep made sure that the Gladiator can do what the unstoppable Wrangler can do — by making it undergo the exact same extreme off-road tests that the Wrangler has successfully passed. Yes, the Gladiator is trail-rated just like its legendary sibling. In fact, it’s the only trail-rated pickup in its class.
The Gladiator has a new feature – Off-road Plus Mode — which gives bias to either 4Hi or 4Lo configuration. It can be used with the Electronic Sway Bar Disconnect feature for increased articulation of the front axle. The Gladiator also has Jeep’s highly effective Tru-Lok Front and Rear Differentials, which locks the rear or both front and rear differentials, increasing the traction of the tires over slippery surfaces. The Gladiator also boasts Fox Shocks suspension.
For extreme off-roading, Selec-Speed Control works as an off-road cruise control. It allows the driver to select a set speed and the vehicle does the work to climb over the obstacles.
Behind the classic seven-slotted grille is Jeep’s proven 285hp/352Nm 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic. The front end may look like its venerable decades-old forebear’s, but it’s equipped with cutting-edge LED headlamps and tail lamps. The Power Dome Dual Vented Hood helps remove heat from the engine compartment and adds to the rugged look of the Gladiator.
The body-color fenders are big enough to take in a set of 35” tires. Usually offered as an accessory, the Gladiator Rubicon comes standard with steel rear bumpers and rock rails, giving you that additional protection of the rear and extra hold up against the aggressiveness of off-roading. Underneath, steel skid plates cover up the fuel tank and transfer case.
The versatile truck bed is 5-foot long (6.5 feet with the tailgate open). There are four string tie-down loops at the back to secure dirt bikes, which you can align properly by following the tire markings on the truck bed, part of Jeep’s classic Easter eggs all over the pickup. A fully laden Gladiator can still tow a full-size Ram 1500 truck with its 7,000-pound towing capacity.
Another Easter egg? The Gladiator has ♡419 embedded on the truck bed, which represents the country code of Ohio, the state where the Gladiator is made.
Inside Jeep’s new pickup is one of the largest — if not the largest — touchscreen displays found in pickups today: an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen that supports Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Voice Command. Fun fact? The touchscreen of the Alpine Premium Audio infotainment system is splash-proof and rain-proof. Delivering vehicle and travel info is a customizable 7-inch TFT color display.
Yet another cool feature is the rear compartment storage tray under the rear seats, which reveals a hidden storage. The rear seats can also be folded 60/40, and can be flipped down to get a flatbed inside the cabin.
With the remote start system, two presses on the key fob will start the Gladiator and warm the AC even before getting in. Blind Spot Monitoring and ParkView Rear Back-up Camera use radar-based sensors that helps detect vehicles and will alert the driver of other cars or objects in blind spots.
Legendary go-anywhere capability, immense power, top-down driving, and modern safety and convenience features, the Jeep Gladiator might well be the ultimate Swiss army knife of cars. Prices? The Jeep Gladiator Sport retails for Php3,890,000 while the top-of-the-line Gladiator Rubicon goes for Php4,790,000.
